Camperstop Cartagena
Cartagena
Murcia
Región de Murcia
Spain
1 Night
We left the compact spot that had been our home for two nights, in glorious sunshine. Off on the motorway, overlooking a huge number of greenhouses, known as El Mar de Plástico” (the Sea of Plastic). This area is the largest concentration of greenhouses in the world, covering over 40,000 hectares (approx. 150-185 square miles).
These greenhouses produce between 2.5 and 3.5 million tons of fruits and vegetables annually, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons, supplying roughly half of Europe’s demand, particularly during winter.
The industry is valued at over £1 billion (or over €1 billion) annually, turning one of Spain’s poorest regions into a major agricultural hub. There is also a huge Environmental Impact.
Plastic Pollution: The massive use of plastic sheeting causes significant pollution, with waste often ending up in the sea or on beaches.
Water Usage: The area relies on intense groundwater extraction, causing concerns about aquifer depletion.
Local Cooling Effect: Due to the white plastic reflecting sunlight, the area has actually experienced a localised cooling effect of approximately 0.3°C per decade since the 1980s.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get a photo of these greenhouses, but they are vast.
We are now parked up next to a fuel station in the port city of Cartagena. We have had a walk into the city and along the marina.
