Net of protected
natural spaces
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The lagoons of Archidona, also called the Salinas, are
situated to the north-west of the province of Malaga, within the municipal district of
Archidona and to the south-west of the Salinas Station, at 37º 7’ latitude north and
4º 18’ longitude west. The height at which the lagoons are situated is between 780
and 800 metres above sea level, the highest level being at 823 metres which appears on the
periphery of the protected area. The Andalusian government, by virtue of the Law 2/1989 by
which the Inventory of Protected Natural Spaces in Andalusia was approved, declared them a
"Natural Reserve", the Environmental Agency being the organization in charge of
its management. The Access to this natural space can be reached by following the Salinas
Station road towards Villanueva del Trabuco, having to then take a lane at the height of
kilometre 2.2. |
Laguna Grande
Laguna Chica 
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The natural reserve "Archidona lagoons" is a humid
area, with inflowing origins and saline waters rich in sulphates, whose ecological and
scenic value are increased by the existence in its perimeters of a mass of holm-oaks,
which shelter many bird species which presently enjoy the legal protection. In the background, and contributing to emphasize the beauty of the place is
the Gibalto sierra, which can be seen from the lagoons towards the south-east and is
situated in the province of Granada, and further south are the San Jorge and Gorda
sierras, situated in the municipal district of Villanueva del Trabuco.
Within the natural space "Archidona reserves", the
area catalogued as the reserve, in the strictest meaning, occupies an extent of 6,3
hectares and contains the lagoons; around them, there is a Protected Peripheral Area of
187 hectares, making a total area of 193,3 hectares. The complex consists of two lagoons,
called "Laguna Grande" (large lagoon) to the north, and "Laguna Chica"
(small lagoon) to the south of the first. As the name indicates, the Laguna Grande is the
largest with 350 x 250 metres, and shows a sub-quadrangular form. The Laguna Chica,
separated from the other by "Cortijo de Las Lagunas", is longer and narrower
with approximately 500 x 175 metres, its water volume being much less, which makes it look
much smaller. It presents a narrowing on the extreme north which gives it a kidney shape,
more pronounced in the summertime when the level of water descends considerably. |
