Lake of Banyoles
The Estany de Banyoles ( Lake Banyoles ) is a lake in northeastern Catalonia. It is important as a tourist destination and as a water sports center.
Geography
The lake is named after the town of Banyoles, on whose territory it is located. So he is in the comarca of Pla de l' Estany, Girona province, Catalonia. With the western shore he still borders on the municipality Porqueres.
The lake is about 2,100 meters long from north to south, and a maximum of 750 meters wide, and has an area of 1.12 km ². Its average depth is 15 meters, and the maximum depth of 46.4 meters. The lake lies in a valley and is therefore no outlet. He has a number of small tributaries.
Attractions
On the west bank on the territory of the municipality Porqueres the beautiful Romanesque church of Santa Maria de Porqueres is.
Flora and Fauna
The lake has both native and introduced species of fish, such as carp, rudd, freshwater blenny, common sunfish, tench, trout perch and eel. Other fish species such as pike, catfish and Black Goldfish were introduced in the 19th century is well known, but in recent studies no specimens of this species were found more.
Water
The Banyoles Lake became known as the venue for the rowing events of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the World Rowing Championships in 2004. He is also a popular training for many Foreign specifically English, rowers.
On 8 October 1998, a tour boat sank with 141 French tourists on the Banyoles Lake. The accident caused 22 lives and 38 injured.