| Alicante’s Salt Water Lagoons/Lakes
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Alicante’s Salt Water Lagoons/Lakes Alicante province is home to a number of salt water lakes/lagoons. Many of these are host to wildlife, considered to be nature reserves and therefore protected. Others are worked for their salt deposits, exported for many uses all over the world, even as far as New York (to salt the roads). Health Aspects The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers this part of Spain (Costa Blanca-Alicante province) to be one of the healthiest climates on the planet. The major reasons behind this are both the mildness of the climate throughout the year, and the low levels of humidity in the air. A major contributing factor to this low level humidity is the drying effect of the salt lakes. As a result people with conditions often aggravated by the cold and damp, such as arthritis have found the climate here beneficial, and many of them seeking to move/purchase holiday homes in the area in later life. Since Roman times people have flocked to the region in order to visit some of the many spa’s and healing centres dotted around the coastline. Many of these spas offer skin healing treatments using the mud of the salt lakes, which is said to aid in the treatment of conditions such as eczema. Nature Reserves Covering over 3,700 hectares the reserve includes both the La Mata and Torrevieja salt water lagoons. The Torrevieja lagoon is largest at about 1,400 hectares and the La Mata lagoon about half that size. The rest of the reserve is down to pasture or scrub land. Connected to the sea by 2 artificial channels (Acequiones) and each other, the Mediterranean flows through to this shallow depression and the warms in the Spanish sun. The water in the Torrevieja lagoon is allowed to evaporate and the salt collected (1 million tons per year). The salt marshes and reed beds are used by over 100 species of birds, feeding on the small crustaceans and larvae that live in this highly salty water. The lagoons are famous for the flamingos, grebes and avocets that live here. Why not take a walk or cycle around the lagoons, and don't forget to visit the Reception Centre where there is a permanent exhibition. Address is as follows; Information Centre Nature Reserve of the Lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja Casa Forestal Ctra. N-332 (next to the La Mata Lagoon) Tel +34 966 920 404 Opening hours; 09:00 - 14:30 + between September and June. Also Tuesday and Thursday 16:00 - 18:00. Alicante’s Salt Water Lagoons/Lakes
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Alicante’s Salt Water Lagoons/Lakes |