Saltworks from Cabo de Gata

 

The saltworks from Cabo de Gata are the only marine salt gathering that remains with industrial activity in Western Andalusia and apart from its productive value, some 40,000 tons of salt per year, have a much greater ecological value because they are the habitat of a multitude of animal and vegetable species..

 

The origin of the salt gathering can go back to the Roman age, there are archaeological evidences that in the Roman period there was a salting industry in this area. The saltworks occupy an approximate area of 400 hectares of floodable land. The flood with sea water are made through a complex system of channels taking advantage of the unevenness of sea leavel and some riverbeds that aport rainwater. It is located parallel to the coastline, next to the beach of Las Salinas, and between the coast of Cabo de Gata and the mountain range that ends at the lighthouse of Cabo de Gata.

 

More than 100 different species of birds have been counted in these wetlands, 70% of which are migratory birds that use the salt flats as a resting place in their migratory process, and the rest taking advantage of the mild winters of the area, have fixed it as their residence. One of the ornithological riches of these wetlands is the large number of pink flamingos, or common flamingo, which can be observed. In the summer season, which coincides with the migratory passage, especially in late July and early August, the colony can be made up of thousands of individuals, hundreds of these birds spend the whole year in these wetlands.

 

In the Salinas there are two ornithological observation posts, their location is marked on the map. For a better enjoyment of the experience will be necessary that we carry binoculars or, if we want to take photos, some good objective of increase for our camera, because the observation posts are far from the animals, to not disturb them.