Ruidera treasures

Ruidera Lakes, a natural park in Castilla-La Mancha, located between the provinces of Ciudad Real and Albacete (Spain).

The Ruidera Lakes are a succession of 15 lagoons oriented southeast to northwest along the upper course of the upper Guadiana River. Their formation is a result of the damming of water by the natural tufa barriers that exist along the Guadiana River.

The Ruidera Lakes constitute a wetland of great limnological, geomorphological, and floristic interest. Their uniqueness is due to several reasons: the origin of the lagoons, the abundance of animal and plant species, and the quality of the lake landscapes in contrast to the relatively arid area in which they are located.

Municipalities in which they are located: Ossa de Montiel (Albacete), Argamasilla de Alba, Alhambra, Villahermosa, and Ruidera (Ciudad Real).