Lake Gabou

Lake Gabou
Lake Gabou is located in Mauritania
Lake Gabou
Lake Gabou
Coordinates17°55′N 11°53′W / 17.917°N 11.883°W / 17.917; -11.883
Basin countriesMauritania
Surface area9,500 ha (37 sq mi)[1]
SettlementsKsar el Barka
Official nameLac Gabou et le réseau hydrographique du Plateau du Tagant
Designated13 February 2009
Reference no.1854[1]

Lake Gabou (Arabic: بحيرة كب, French: Lac Gabou, Fula: Hoorewendu) is a lake and wetlands area in the Tagant Region of Mauritania.

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lac Gabou et le réseau hydrographique du Plateau du Tagant". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  2. ^ Kane, Oumar (2004). La première hégémonie peule. Le Fuuta Tooro de Koli Teηella à Almaami Abdul. Paris: Karthala. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Gabou". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-24.


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