Limassol Salt Lake

Limassol Salt Lake
Coordinates 34°37′N 32°58′E / 34.617°N 32.967°E / 34.617; 32.967Coordinates: 34°37′N 32°58′E / 34.617°N 32.967°E / 34.617; 32.967
Basin countries United Kingdom
Surface area 10.65 km2 (4.11 sq mi)
Max. depth 1 m (3 ft 3 in)
Surface elevation sea level
Settlements Limassol

Limassol Salt Lake (also known as Akrotiri Salt Lake) is the largest inland body of water on the island of Cyprus, in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, United Kingdom, an overseas territory.

It lies due south-west of the sprawling city of Limassol and measures 10.65 km2. Its lowest point is 2.7 meters below sea level and at its deepest point the water depth measures about one meter.[1] Geologists hypothesize the lake was formed over the gradual joining of an offshore islet off the southern coast of Cyprus. [2]

The lake itself is considered to be one of the eastern Mediterranean region’s most important wetlands. The shallowness of the lake (more than half of the lake is less than 30 centimetres (12 in) deep) attracts thousands of wading birds to use it as a stopover during the migration seasons between Africa and Europe. BirdLife International estimates that between 2,000 and 20,000 greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) spend the winter months on the lake.[3]

This salt lake lies within Akrotiri and Dhekelia, a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus, administered as a Sovereign Base Area. It is located in the Western Sovereign Base Area.

In 2003 the British Ministry of Defence caused some controversy by constructing two gigantic antennas as part of it radio listening post network in the Middle East.[4]

Local and European environmentalists are concerned that the proximity of the listening posts to this ecosystem could have a significant impact on the wildlife.[5][6][7]

References

  1. ↑ Σημαντικές Περιοχές για τα Πουλιά της Κύπρου (Important areas for the Birds of Cyprus), by Ζώτος Σάββας. Birdlife (Cyprus) booklet publication
  2. ↑ School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton University
  3. ↑ BirdLife International
  4. ↑ Britain got ‘one-time-only’ deal on antennae (Cyprus Mail archive article - Friday, December 3, 2004)
  5. ↑ EFGP 3rd Congress, Berlin, Germany, 17–19 May 2002 Adopted resolution Cyprus: British military antennas.
  6. ↑ Birdlife Cyprus Newsletter
  7. ↑ Ramsar mission report, Akrotiri Wetland Complex, Cyprus, 17–21 June 2002
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