Estuary
The river empties into the Gulf of Cadiz between Ayamonte and Vila Real de Santo António, the two highly touristed regions of the Algarve and the sea-side of Andalusia There it forms a saltmarsh estuary and swamp. The estuary has a maximum width of 550 metres and its depth ranges from 5 to 17 metres. Tides are semi-diurnal, ranging from 0.8 to 3.5m; their propagation is limited by falls situated 76 km from the mouth at Moinho dos Canais. In the lower estuary there are nature reserves covering a total of 2089ha; in Spain, the Marismas de Isla Cristina and, in Portugal, the Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António (English: Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Marsh Natural Reserve) gives a high nature conservation value to the region.
Read more about this topic: Guadiana
Famous quotes containing the word estuary:
“I see in you the estuary that enlarges and spreads itself grandly as it
pours in the great sea.”
—Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
“There is regret. Always, there is regret.
But it is better that our lives unloose,
As two tall ships, wind-mastered, wet with light,
Break from an estuary with their courses set,
And waving part, and waving drop from sight.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)