Did the report on that record-breaking swimming pool wet your appetite to find out more about Chile?

Find out more about this fascinating country in the Lonely Planet Guide to Chile:

It’s been named the”World’s largest swimming pool” - and at over a kilometre long it probably is. I first heard about it on the news last week on German TV, and how there are some pictures up on the Daily Mail website.

Which leaves me to ask the question: why?

One reason I read on-line was because although this is a large resort with beautiful sandy beaches, the sea still says cold in summer because of undercurrents from the Antarctic.

Looking at the photos, there are several hotels along the length of the pool, so rather than each one having their own, I guess they decided to go for this joint project instead.

The interview that I saw talked about the problems that they had creating the pool - such as filtration. But the benefits are clear: not only can you swim in the pool, you can paddle canoes and dinghies in it and still not be taken away by the tide.

It should certainly put Algarrobo on the map.

I guess you could also ask: why not?