Gediz Delta | |
---|---|
Location | İzmir Province, Turkey |
Nearest city | İzmir |
Coordinates | 38°31′N 26°53′E / 38.517°N 26.883°E |
Area | 14,900 ha (58 sq mi) |
Governing body | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
Official name | Gediz Delta |
Designated | 15 April 1998 |
Reference no. | 945 [1] |
The Gediz Delta is the river delta at the confluence of the Gediz River with the Gulf of İzmir, in İzmir Province in western Turkey. It is a 14,900 ha area of land that occupies coastal parts of Foça, Menemen, and Çiğli districts. [2] It is one of the largest areas of coastal wetlands in Turkey and has a biodiversity of plants and birds. [2] It is a Ramsar site since 1998 and an Important Bird Area since 2000. [1] [3] It is 26 km from İzmir city center. [2]
The delta is home to more than 250 bird species and hosts approximately 80,000 birds in winter. [2] It provides shelter for 10% of the world's flamingo population. [4]
Remains of the former Ionian town of Leucae is located on the delta. [2]
Çamaltı Salt Pan, which is located on the delta, provides one third of Turkey's salt production. [2]