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Mar Menor
Large pond, Small
sea, throughout history, the so-called Mar Menor has had
different names, all of which coincide in the description of a phenomenon
that nature designed as a great coastal lake (originally, an open
bay) of 170 km2 of warm saltwater. Since
distant times, the wealth of its water, the kindness of the climate
and the beauty of the area as a whole attracted many people. The
Iberians and Phoenicians and, later, the Arabs have a part in
the history of the Mar Menor. In the Moslem period, it was known
as the Mar Chico, and the place known today as Los Alcázares (from
the Arabic ´Al-Ksar´, literally translated as "place of residence")
was chosen for their recreational houses. The continuous skirmishes
with pirates from Algeria led to the need to construct watchtowers,
some of which are conserved today, such as that of El Ramé or
Rami. Until the 18th century, the area was occupied only by inhabitants
dedicated to fishing and to the exploitation of the salt flats.
From the 19th century, these centres gradually became centres
for recreation and relaxation for the inhabitants of La Huerta,
who established their summer residence next to the coast, attracted
mainly by the curative properties of its brackish water. Even
today, the Mar Menor remains faithful to the concept of ´residential
area´ characterized by rest and tranquility.
The warm waters
of the Mar Menor, with a maximum depth of 7 meters, hold the ideal
conditions and means for those who enjoy open or group sailing.
Furthermore, visitors to this area can enjoy all the advantages
of the Sailing Station of the Mar Menor, which in keeping with
the ski station concept, offers a set of sailing, sports and tourist
infrastructures together with hotels, accommodation and establishments
for leisure and learning grouped together in one place: the entire
Shore area of the Mar Menor and La Manga. This large saltwater
lake has ideal climatic conditions (315 days of sunshine per year
and an average annual temperature of 18ºC) for the continuous
practice of water sports.
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