Lake Gabou
Lake and wetlands in Mauritania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lake Gabou (Arabic: بحيرة كب, French: Lac Gabou, Fula: Hoorewendu) is a lake and wetlands area in the Tagant Region of Mauritania.
| Lake Gabou | |
|---|---|
  Lake Gabou | |
| Coordinates | 17°55′N 11°53′W |
| Basin countries | Mauritania |
| Surface area | 9,500 ha (37 sq mi)[1] |
| Settlements | Ksar el Barka |
| Official name | Lac Gabou et le réseau hydrographique du Plateau du Tagant |
| Designated | 13 February 2009 |
| Reference no. | 1854[1] |
History
Historically, the lake and the basin around it were also known as Tammourt en Naaj (Arabic: تمورت والنجا) or Hoorewendu, meaning 'head of the swamp' in Pulaar, and sheltered a population of hippopotami.[2]: 32
Environment
The lake captures runoff from the Tagant plateau and supports a range of indigenous flora and fauna, including date and doum palms, two economically important palm species, as well as African baobabs and desert roses. It is also a refuge for West African crocodiles and migrating birds. It was designated a Ramsar site in 2009.[1] The lake has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a significant population of wintering ruffs.[3]
