Mar Menor is with a surface of approx. 135 sq. km the largest saline inland water in Europe and lies in the province Murcia in the South East of Spain. Mar Menor is separated from the Mediterranean by a sandbank with a length of 24 km, named La Manga. The width of this sandbank amounts to 100 metres, maximum to 1,200 metres. La Manga itself is nearly completely covered with buildings and is counted among the important centres of tourism in the region. 

The length of the border around Mar Menor amounts to 73 km. The maximum water depth measures approx. 7 metres, the average depth amounts to 2 metres. In the space of Mar Menor, five islands are located: Perdiguera, Isla Mayor, Rondella, Isla del Ciervo and Isla des Sujeto.
 
Mar Menor and the Mediterranean are connected by two weirs in La Torre and El Ventorillo as well as by two canals El Estacio and Marchamalo. The salinity of Mar Menor lies at values between 42 and 47 g/l, whereas the water of the Mediterranean has a salinity between 36 and 37 g/l.

The mean water temperature measures 12 °C in the winter half year and 30 °C in the summer half year. The mild and dry climate is reflected also in low rainfalls – maximum 350 mm each year – and a mean air temperature of 18 °C.

The region around Mar Menor is a perfect nesting and wintering place for many birds. In periods of bird migration, more than 1,500 Eared Grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) and up to 180 Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) are living here. Also few species of swallows are represented: Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis), Little Tern (Sterna albifrons), Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) and Common Tern (Sterna hirundo).
 

The vegetation at the borders of Mar Menor is strongly formed by the influence of the salt water and the dryness. Only very frugal plants can grow here: Arartrees (Tetraclinis articulata), Common Thorny Solanaceous Shrub (Lycium intricatum), Juniper species (Juniperus turbinata) as well as Heath Tree (Erica arborea).

Great environmetal problems in the region arise from the exploitation of the small water resources. The groundwater is pumped for the irrigation of large fields and greenhouses as well as for the supply of the residents and the tourists. As a consequence of this situation, many fountains are too salty. Besides the high population density (300 people per sq. km), the entry of pesticides of the intensive agriculture has a negative influence on the water quality of Mar Menor.

The foundation "Fundación del Mar Menor - CLUSTER", was founded in 2005, with the aim to coordinate locally the environmental activities and involve actively the different stakeholders, in particular tourism experts, communities and the local population.

Contact:

Mar Menor Foundation CLUSTER

Contact person: Eduardo de Miguel

Phone: +34 - 91 55 - 69 39 0

Fax: +34 - 91 55 - 69 89 5

E-mail: edemiguel@fundacionglobalnature.org