Lake Neusiedler See

In a picturesque flat area on the Austro-Hungarian border, there are the most valuable wetlands of European lands, the fourth largest lake in this part of the continent is Neusiedler See. It is also the westernmost brackish lake in the flat part of Central Europe.

The length is about 36 km.
The maximum width is 12 km.
The area is 320 km2. Like the width, it depends on the water level.
The maximum depth is 1.8 m.
The average depth is 0.8 m.
The volume of water is 0.25 km3.
The height above sea level is 115.4 m.
Neusiedler See is an Austrian and more famous name. However, the lake also has a Hungarian name — Ferte. Both are found in travel guides and in scientific research. Let's not be surprised that somewhere in the middle of the lake, on the water border between the two countries, fishermen or travelers sailing through two bodies of water of different names can meet. And even the shores of the lake are different. The western Austrian is hilly, composed of limestone rocks. In the southeast, from Hungary, the salt marsh steppes begin.

More than three quarters of Neusiedler See belongs to the land of Burgenland, the eastern tip of Austria. A small southern section is located in the Hungarian Gyor-Moshon-Sopron region. Considering the size of the reservoir, even this proportion is three times larger than the large Hungarian Lake Velence.

During its 20-thousand-year history, the lake even dried up completely. The last such case was recorded in 1866. There have also been cases of large spills. Both options are dangerous for the ecosystem of the reservoir and for people. To prevent serious fluctuations, the population of the surrounding lands closely monitors the water level in the lake.

In the middle of the last century, a special interstate commission was even created, which was tasked with controlling the lake's water level by regulating its flow. But despite the efforts of scientists, the level still varies within half a meter in both directions. The main problem of the reservoir is the lack of significant land–based tributaries. The lake is mainly fed by rainwater, and this source of moisture is unpredictable. The tiny rivers and streams flowing into Neusiedler See are too small to compensate for the lack of water during the dry seasons.

If the water in the lake ever drops below the permissible minimum, it can harm the ecosystem of the ancient reservoir and destroy the habitat for many species of flora and fauna, and the biocenosis here is special. The reed beds of Neusiedler See are home to three hundred species of birds, both migratory and nesting, as well as rare representatives of the insect class. Ornithologists and entomologists watch their charges from a special training path laid along the shore of the lake, or by boating along channels cut through the reeds.

Large waterfowl living on Neusiedler See feed on the fish of the lightly salted lake, of which there are a dozen and a half species. These are mainly carp, pike and perch. Smaller birds are content with invertebrates, which are rich in the reservoir, as well as insects that have chosen lake reeds. This plant, by the way, is found not only on the shores, but also throughout the lake. In short, everything in these places has developed in order for the flora and fauna to flourish. And fishing is great here, but you can't just walk up to the pond with a fishing rod – you need to get a license for this, and their number is limited.

To preserve the unique natural complex, the Hungarians created the Ferte Hanshag National Park on the shore of the lake, and the Austrians created the Neusiedlersee-Zewinkel National Park. These specially protected areas have sheltered the red-tailed white-tailed eagle and the red-throated kazarka, as well as many less rare but no less important species of birds. National parks have become a favorite destination for tourists. It is no coincidence that the Austrians call the lake the "Vienna Sea". Being the largest body of water in the country, it attracts a huge flow of tourists only from among the locals, not to mention foreignerTo preserve the unique natural complex, the Hungarians created the Ferte Hanshag National Park on the shore of the lake, and the Austrians created the Neusiedlersee-Zewinkel National Park. These specially protected areas have sheltered the red-tailed white-tailed eagle and the red-throated kazarka, as well as many less rare but no less important species of birds. National parks have become a favorite destination for tourists. It is no coincidence that the Austrians call the lake the "Vienna Sea". Being the largest body of water in the country, it nk.