Limassol Salt Lake

Limassol Salt Lake (Greek: Αλυκή Λεμεσού; also known as Akrotiri Salt Lake, Greek: Αλυκή Ακρωτηρίου) is the largest inland body of water on the island of Cyprus.^[2] It is located in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, administered as a Sovereign Base Area; specifically in the Western Sovereign Base Area.^{[citation needed]}

Limassol Salt Lake
Limassol Salt Lake
Coordinates	34°37′N 32°58′E
Basin countries	[][citation needed]
Surface area	10.65 km2 (4.11 sq mi)
Max. depth	1 m (3 ft 3 in)
Surface elevation	sea level
Settlements	Limassol
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Akrotiri
Designated	20 March 2003
Reference no.	1375[1]

It lies due south-west of the sprawling city of Limassol and measures 10.65 km² (4.11 sq mi).^{[citation needed]} According to a BirdLife (Cyprus) booklet, its lowest point is 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in) below sea level, and at its deepest point the water depth measures about one meter.^[3] A study mentions that the maximum depth of the salt lake reaches 2.8 m below mean sea level in the winter.^{[4][clarification needed]} A BirdLife International entry for an area including the lake gives the minimum elevation of that area as 0 m.^[5] Geologists hypothesize the lake was formed over the gradual joining of an offshore islet off the southern coast of Cyprus. ^[6]

The lake dries out in the summer.^[5]

Ecology

The lake itself is considered to be one of the eastern Mediterranean region’s most important wetlands.^[2] 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.^{[citation needed]} BirdLife International estimates that between 2,000 and 20,000 greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) spend the winter months on the lake.^[5]

British antennas

In 2003 the British Ministry of Defence caused some controversy by constructing two gigantic antennas as part of its radio listening post network in the Middle East.^[7]

Local and European environmentalists are concerned that the proximity of the listening posts to this ecosystem could have a significant impact on the wildlife.^[8][9][10]

Gallery

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