Burgas Lakes
Encyclopedia
The Burgas Lakes or Burgas Wetlands (Бургаски влажни зони, Burgaski vlazhni zoni) are a group of coastal lake
s of varying saltiness located around the Bulgaria
n city of Burgas
in the proximity of the Black Sea
. They constitute the largest group of lakes in the country and comprise some of Bulgaria's biggest and most important lakes.
The lakes' total area (including swamps, marshes, ponds and other reservoirs) amounts to 95 km², of which 33.30 km² are either proclaimed or proposed protected area
s that are inhabited by a large number of locally or globally endangered species
of birds, fish and mammals. Apart from this, the Burgas Lakes are also of economic importance, used to obtain sea salt
and curative mud, as well as to supply the local economy with fresh water, in the case of Lake Mandrensko
.
The lakes comprise (in north to south order):
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
s of varying saltiness located around the Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n city of Burgas
Burgas
-History:During the rule of the Ancient Romans, near Burgas, Debeltum was established as a military colony for veterans by Vespasian. In the Middle Ages, a small fortress called Pyrgos was erected where Burgas is today and was most probably used as a watchtower...
in the proximity of the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
. They constitute the largest group of lakes in the country and comprise some of Bulgaria's biggest and most important lakes.
The lakes' total area (including swamps, marshes, ponds and other reservoirs) amounts to 95 km², of which 33.30 km² are either proclaimed or proposed protected area
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
s that are inhabited by a large number of locally or globally endangered species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of birds, fish and mammals. Apart from this, the Burgas Lakes are also of economic importance, used to obtain sea salt
Sea salt
Sea salt, salt obtained by the evaporation of seawater, is used in cooking and cosmetics. It is historically called bay salt or solar salt...
and curative mud, as well as to supply the local economy with fresh water, in the case of Lake Mandrensko
Lake Mandrensko
Lake Mandrensko or Lake Mandra is the southernmost of the Burgas Lakes, located in the immediate proximity of the Black Sea and close to Burgas...
.
The lakes comprise (in north to south order):
- Lake PomorieLake PomorieLake Pomorie is the northernmost of the coastal Burgas Lakes, located in the immediate proximity of the Black Sea and the Bulgarian town of Pomorie. It has an area of 8.5 km² and has an elongated shape with a length of 6.7 km and width of 1.8-2 km...
, an ultrasaline lagoon - Lake AtanasovskoLake AtanasovskoLake Atanasovsko or Lake Atanasovo is a salt coastal lake north of Burgas, Bulgaria, located in direct proximity of the Black Sea. The lake is about 5 km long and divided into two by a strip of sand in the middle...
, a nature reserveNature reserveA nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
and Ramsar site - Lake BurgasLake BurgasLake Burgas or Lake Vaya , located near the Black Sea west of the city of Burgas, is the largest natural lake in Bulgaria, with an area of 27.60 km², a length of 9.6 km and a width of 2.5 to 5 km. It is up to 103 feet deep....
or Lake Vaya, the largest natural lake in the country by area - Lake Poda, sometimes regarded as a part of Lake Mandrensko
- Lake MandrenskoLake MandrenskoLake Mandrensko or Lake Mandra is the southernmost of the Burgas Lakes, located in the immediate proximity of the Black Sea and close to Burgas...
, now a fresh water reservoir, the largest of the group