Albufera

L'Albufera de València, or simply L'Albufera for short (Valencian pronunciation: [aɫβuˈfeɾa], meaning "lagoon" in Catalan, from Arabic البحيرة al-buhayra, "small sea"), is a freshwater lagoon and estuary on the Gulf of Valencia coast of the Valencian Community in eastern Spain. It is the main portion of the Parc Natural de l'Albufera de València ("Valencian Albufera Natural Park"), with a surface area of 21,120 hectares (52,200 acres). The natural biodiversity of the nature reserve allows a great variety of flora and fauna to thrive and be observed year-round. Though once a saltwater lagoon, dilution due to irrigation and canals draining into the estuary and the sand bars increasing in size had converted it to freshwater by the seventeenth century.

The Valencian Albufera Nature Park and lagoon lies just 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) south of Valencia, in the municipal areas of 13 towns and four pedanies (former towns) adjoined to the capital city, these in turn lying within four comarques or counties, namely, in Horta Sud: Albal, Alfafar, Beniparrell, Catarroja, Massanassa, Sedaví and Silla; in Ribera Baixa: Albalat de la Ribera, Cullera, Sollana, Sueca and El Mareny de Barraquetes; in Ribera Alta: Algemesí; and in the County of Valencia and greater metropolitan area of València, in the pedanies of Pinedo, El Palmar, El Saler and El Perellonet. Its proximity to the capital city of the Valencian Land and easy access facilitate nature experiences and birdwatching.

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