The Neusiedler See, in the east of Austria near the Austro-Hungarian border, is one of Europe's most unusual lakes. The only steppe lake on the continent, it measures 35km/22mi long and between 5-15km/3-9mi wide. It is, however, extremely shallow - 1-1.8m/40-72 ins. deep. The shallow water, slightly saline, thus warms up very quickly in summer to a temperature of over 25°C/77°F. The water level varies according to the rate of evaporation: between 1866 and 1869 the lake dried up completely. With practically no inflow of water and no outflow, the lake is fringed round almost its whole circumference with a girdle of reeds up to 5km/3mi wide. The only reed free area is on the eastern side around Podersdorf, where there are a number of beautiful beaches. The lake and the region along its shores offer facilities for water sports of all kinds - swimming, fishing, sailing and motorboat trips. On land there are opportunities for cycling and walking, trips in horse drawn caravans and pony trekking, especially from Illmitz to the "Lacken". The reeds provide a home for more than 250 different species of birds (bird watching station) and there are many rare water plants.
Most of the plant and animal life is under statutory protection. Visitors may not catch or alarm any of the wildlife, nor may they damage, remove or buy any plants or parts of plants. The nature wardens responsible for ensuring that these regulations are observed are entitled to search visitors for this purpose. The reeds are cut commercially and used in stucco work. To the east the land merges into the steppe-like puszta, which is covered with a luxuriant growth of vegetation in spring but in late summer becomes withered and dusty. In the Seewinkel area, towards the Hungarian border, there are numerous small lakes and ponds, the "Lacken", also fringed with reeds. These lakes, the most interesting of which is the Lange Lacke, can be reached only on foot or on horseback (rental of horses). The quality of the water in the Neusiedler See is being increasingly threatened. Considerable quantities of copper, lead, zinc and other harmful substances are finding their way into it from the River Wulka, as well as local sewage. In order to avoid further deterioration attempts are being made to enforce stricter regulations. In the course of the next few years it is planned to turn the lake region into a national park, crossing national boundaries and thus taking in Hungarian territory as well as Austrian. First of all, however, the authorities must be sure that the money is available to finance this expensive project.
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