The Annotated Ramsar List: Egypt

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

EGYPT / EGYPTE / EGIPTO

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Egypt on 9 September 1988. Egypt presently has 2 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 105,700 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Lake Bardawil. 09/09/88; 59,500 ha; 31º05’N 033º05’E. Added to the Montreux Record, 4 July 1990. Protected Area. Two interconnected hypersaline lagoons consisting of islands and peninsulas. The site provides important spawning area for fish, supports commercially important fish populations, and is an important wintering and staging area for about 500,000 birds. Considerable ecological changes have occurred due to the extension of salt extraction and the constant formation of sand bars (siltation), which close the channels connecting the lagoons with the sea. Subject of a Ramsar Advisory Mission in 1991. Ramsar site no. 407. Most recent RIS information: 1994.

Lake Burullus. 09/09/88; Kafr El Sheikh; 46,200 ha; 31º30’N 030º50’E. Added to the Montreux Record, 4 July 1990. A shallow, saline lagoon containing numerous islands and islets connected with the sea by a narrow channel. The area provides important wintering, staging and breeding habitat for birds. The site is subject to a strong salinity gradient and suffers from the inflow of large amounts of water contaminated with fertilizers and pesticides causing nutrient-enrichment. Subject of a Ramsar Advisory Mission in 1991. Ramsar site no. 408. Most recent RIS information: 1992.