The Eden Project, Cornwall

Eden Project Mediterranean Biome

Eden's Mediterranean Biome is 65 metres wide, 135 metres long and 35 metres high, with an area of 6,540 square metres. This biome emulates the natural landscapes of the Mediterranean, South Africa and California.

Plants growing in the Mediterranean Biome include aubergines, citrus fruits, grape vines, olives and peppers.

The arts are fundamental to the Eden Project which says 'we aim to blur the perceived line between the creative and the scientific and use art to illustrate the vital link between plants and people'. In this panorama you can see 'The Rites of Dionysus ' by Falmouth-based sculptor Tim Shaw.

The biomes themselves are constructed from a tubular steel frame with transparent panels manufactured from a plastic called EFTE (Ethylene TetrafluoroEthylene). The panels are transparent to UV light and have a triple-membrane structure which provides them with excellent heat insulation properties.