Kuroshio, a Japanese word for the Black Tide, is one of the strongest boundary currents in the western north Pacific Ocean. Sometimes, the locals refer to it as the Black Stream, as an allusion to the deep blue of its water. But the whole world heard about Kuroshio Sea, as one of the greatest things man ever created. Here’s what it’s all about:

Kuroshio Sea is the world’s second largest acrylic glass panel, holding about 7,500-cubic meters (1,981,290 gallons) of water. It measures 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters and the thickness of the glass reaches 60 centimeters. The fish tank is so big that it can hold up to four whale sharks and several manta rays.  The manta rays accommodated so well to this new home, that on  June 16, 2007 a manta pup was borned here, after a 374 day gestation. But these amazingly creatures aren’t the only ones living here: more than 80 species are on exhibit constantly.

But Kuroshio Sea is officially called Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. And if you want to see it for real, you will have to visit Ocean Expo Commemorative National Government Park, in Motobu, Okinawa. The whole park is pretty impressive since it is like a commemoration of all the species living in this part of the Pacific and of the human civilization in the area. The Aquarium also has a Dolphin Studio, a Sea Turtle Pool, a Manatee House and a Dolphin Lagoon. In the same park you can also find a beach, a historical village and even a museum.

Image credit: 1, 2.

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