| Limassol Salt Lake | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Limassol Salt Lake | |
| Coordinates | 34°37′N32°58′E / 34.617°N 32.967°E /34.617; 32.967 |
| 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 |
| Official name | Akrotiri |
| Designated | 20 March 2003 |
| Reference no. | 1375[1] |
Limassol Salt Lake (Greek:Αλυκή Λεμεσού; also known asAkrotiri Salt Lake,Greek:Αλυκή Ακρωτηρίου) is the largest inland body of water on the island ofCyprus.[2] It is located inAkrotiri and Dhekelia, administered as aSovereign Base Area; specifically in theWestern Sovereign Base Area.[citation needed]
It lies due south-west of the sprawling city ofLimassol 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 ofCyprus.[6]
The lake dries out in the summer.[5]
The lake itself is considered to be one of the easternMediterranean 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 20,000greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) spend the winter months on the lake.[5]
In 2003 the British Ministry of Defence caused some controversy by constructing two gigantic antennas as part of itsradio listening post network in theMiddle 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]
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