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Spa facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
For the municipality in Belgium, see Spa, Belgium.
For the hydrotherapy water pool, see hot tub.
Taj Spa 4
Ayurvedic spa in Goa, India.

A spa is a location where mineral-rich spring water (and sometimes seawater) is used to give medicinal baths. Spa towns or spa resorts (including hot springs resorts) typically offer various health treatments, which are also known as balneotherapy. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are especially widespread in Europe and Japan. Day spas are also quite popular and offer various personal care treatments.

Origins of the term

The term came from the name of the town of Spa, Belgium. This name was known back in Roman times, when it was called Aquae Spadanae. It may be related to the Latin word "spargere" meaning to scatter, sprinkle or moisten.

Images for kids

  • Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa) (4798915417)

    The Blue Lagoon (Icelandic: "Bláa lónið"), geothermal spa in Iceland. The steamy waters are part of a lava formation. Its warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur.

  • Photograph of the Baths showing a rectangular area of greenish water surrounded by yellow stone buildings with pillars. In the background is the tower of the abbey.

    Ancient Roman Baths in Bath, England

  • Diocletianopolis The Southern Gate at Night

    The spa town of Hisarya in Bulgaria. An ancient Roman city was built in the 1st century AD because of the mineral springs in the vicinity.

  • 2006-05 Archeon binnenhof badhuis-2

    Coriovallum Roman baths in Heerlen, The Netherlands (reconstructed)

  • Vigier's baths, Year V - 1797

    Poster for Vigier Baths on the banks of the Seine river, in Paris (1797)

  • Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő thermal spa in Budapest 008

    A thermal spa in Budapest, Hungary

  • Turkish spa Sina (Hammam)

    Turkish spa Sina (Hammam) in Trenčianske Teplice, Slovakia

  • Old Spa Gran Hotel La Toja in 1907

    A section of the demolished Balneario da Toxa spa set in A Toxa Island, in Galicia, Spain

  • CarolusThermen01

    Waterfall, Carolus Spa, Aachen, Germany

  • Jefferson Pools Gentlemen

    Gentlemen's Pool House, Jefferson Pools, Warm Springs, Virginia, built 1761 it is the oldest spa building in the USA. The spa waters flow through the centre of the building. President Thomas Jefferson bathed here.

  • Vučkovec (Croatia) - jug

    The healing power of mineral water used to treat patients and other users in the lazy river section in Vučkovec, Croatia

  • VarshetsRenovatedSpaCenter

    Spa center in Varshets, Bulgaria.

  • Ognyanovo-Delta-Hotel-Mineral-water-swimming--pools

    Mineral water swimming pools in Blagoevgrad district, Bulgaria.

  • BalnearioAlange

    Balneo area in Alange

  • Beltéri gyógymedence Hagymatikum

    Medicinal water bath in Makó, (Hungary)

  • COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Zwemmen in de vijver bj de waterval TMnr 60050142

    Bathing in Bogor, West Java

  • Mt. Taisetsu KOGEN hot spring 2（Open-air bath）

    Japanese Onsen, in Hokkaido

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