Atlantropa: Bizarre Plan to Drain the Mediterranean
Did you know that in the late 1920s, there was a plan to merge Europe and Africa into one continent? Yes, it may seem laughable at first, but it was seriously considered by some of the heads of state and even the UN at one point. But those who are aware of even the most basic geography, know that the Mediterranean Sea separates Europe from Africa. So how were they planning to do that? Especially, since we don’t have a modern-day Moses to part the sea. Well, it seems like some engineers relied on engineering to recreate this miracle. But as we now know, they failed!
This all started when a German architect, Herman Sörgel, gave the most bewildering suggestion to end all European problems. Overpopulation and increasing demand for energy were the continuing headaches for European countries. As a population grows, it needs more space to live, more food to survive, and ultimately more resources. The problem of overpopulation was not just pertinent in Germany but also in other European nations. As the economies recovered after the devastating World War I, there was a population boom in Europe especially in the war-neutral countries. The lifestyle gradually improved, and more industries and factories were built which ultimately required fuel to run. It is important to remember that at the time, the world was heavily reliant on fossil fuels especially coal for their source of energy. The Saudi’s oil discovery was still decades away and there was this anxiety among the masses that these fossil fuels will eventually run out.
To solve these multiple issues peacefully, Herman Sörgel suggested draining the Mediterranean Sea to create more living space and agricultural land. After all, the Mediterranean has an extensive space of 965,000 sq mi (2.5 million sq km). This is equivalent to the combined area of Texas, California, and New York. Sörgel suggested creating a giant dam on the Straits of Gibraltar to block off the Atlantic supply to the Mediterranean Sea. The Straits of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that supplies seawater from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea. Sörgel noticed that the amount of water that evaporates from the Mediterranean Sea is higher than what it receives.
The only reason its water level doesn’t go down is because of the Atlantic supply from Gibraltar. Once the Mediterranean is isolated from the Atlantic, the water will eventually evaporate over time, freeing extensive swathes of land. It was estimated that this would leave 254,500 square miles (660,200 km2) of new land reclaimed from the sea, an area larger than France. But was draining the Mediterranean a practical solution? And would it have been possible in today’s world?
Other Visionary Build Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjwOHGEsTOQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJboBnKRg5M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzKAkugzWlc&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgclCy0MZVM
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554296182133https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQG8KHq98Qc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trLrGySseDU
Thank you very much for watching. We hope that you enjoyed our visionary build. Please like and subscribe. Feel free to share other visionary build ideas for your entertainment in the comments.
For business related matters relating to our channel (including media & advertising) please contact us via email located in our “About” tab
Please note, the videos published on this channel fall under the remits of Fair Use. For the purpose of educating viewers on topics of construction, engineering and architecture, our team produces well-researched, authentic and unique content, aligning with YouTube policies and guidelines.
Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the copyright act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
For any copyright related matters, please contact us trough our email on the about tab.
source
What do you think about the Atlantropa project? Could it have been possible if there was a political will?
One thing that to note is that such an project would have done significantly more harm than good.
Had it been completed, and a significant portion of the Mediterranean were drained, virtually most, if not all – including much of southern Europe, would have been transformed into an arad dessert unsuitable for both human populations as well as farmland.
Talk about counter intuitive!
I am actually all for this. The archaeological discoveries alone would be worth it.
No will would have made it possible because the idea was flawed in first place manily due to enviornmental cost and migrant problem from africa .. moreover europians think of themselves as Gods on earth so how can they lose the uniqueness that nature is providing them through sea and sea also provides the most important shipping lanes reducing the cost for moving material/energy .. all in all, it was one bizzare idea .. that was never more than a discussion point