Gironde estuary
The Gironde estuary (/ʒɪˈrɒnd/ zhi-ROND, US usually /dʒɪˈ-/ ji-; French: estuaire de la Gironde, [ɛstɥɛʁ də la ʒiʁɔ̃d]; Occitan: estuari de [la] Gironda, [estyˈaɾi ˈde lo dʒiˈɾundo]) is a navigable estuary (though often referred to as a river) in southwest France and is formed from the meeting of the rivers Dordogne and Garonne just downstream of the centre of Bordeaux. Covering around 635 km2 (245 sq mi), it is the largest estuary in western Europe.
| Gironde | |
|---|---|
The Gironde estuary in Pauillac | |
Map of France with the Gironde highlighted | |
| Location | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Nouvelle-Aquitaine |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Atlantic Ocean |
| Length | 75 km (47 mi) |
| Basin size | 635 km2 (245 sq mi) |
| Width | |
| • minimum | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| • maximum | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Corrèze → Vézère→ Dordogne→ Gironde estuary→ Atlantic Ocean |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Garonne |
| • right | Dordogne |
Named after the French département Gironde, the Gironde estuary is approximately 75 km (47 mi) long and 3–12 km (2–7 miles) wide. It is subject to very strong tidal currents and great care is needed when navigating the estuary by any size or type of boat.
Since 2015, the Gironde estuary has been part of the Gironde estuary and Pertuis sea Marine Nature Park.