Limassol Salt Lake
Encyclopedia
Limassol Salt Lake is the largest inland body of water on the island of Cyprus
.
It lies due south-east 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.
Geologists hypothesize the lake was formed over the gradual joining of an offshore islet off the southern coast of Cyprus
.
The lake itself is considered to be one of the eastern Mediterranean region’s most important wetlands. The fact that the water level over 50 percent of the lake is less than 30 centimeters 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 Flamingo
s (Phoenicopterus roseus) spend the winter months on the lake.
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
.
Local and European environmentalists are concerned that the proximity of the listening posts to this ecosystem could have a significant impact on the wildlife. , ,
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
.
It lies due south-east of the sprawling city of Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
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.
Geologists hypothesize the lake was formed over the gradual joining of an offshore islet off the southern coast of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
.
The lake itself is considered to be one of the eastern Mediterranean region’s most important wetlands. The fact that the water level over 50 percent of the lake is less than 30 centimeters 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 Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
The Greater Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia , and southern Europe...
s (Phoenicopterus roseus) spend the winter months on the lake.
This salt lake lies within Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two British-administered areas comprising a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus administered as Sovereign Base Areas of the United Kingdom...
, a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, 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
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
Local and European environmentalists are concerned that the proximity of the listening posts to this ecosystem could have a significant impact on the wildlife. , ,