Salt Valley of Añana
| Salt Valley of Añana | |
|---|---|
View of the valley, with Salinas de Añana in the background | |
| Location | Añana, Álava, Basque Country, Spain |
| Coordinates | 42°47′58″N 2°59′07″W / 42.79954°N 2.98524°W |
| Type | Salt evaporation pond |
| Surface area | 13 ha (32 acres) |
| Designated | 24 October 2002 |
| Part of | Lago de Caicedo-Yuso y Salinas de Añana |
| Reference no. | 1258 |
| Designated | 17 July 1984 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0005132 |
The Salt Valley of Añana (Basque: Añanako gatz harana, Spanish: Valle salado de Añana) is an inland salt evaporation pond in Salinas de Añana, Basque Country, Spain. The salty water emerges from four springs located in the head of the valley, which is then diverted to numerous ponds and left to evaporate. The oldest evidence of salt extraction at the valley dates from the Neolithic. During the 20th century, the lower cost of marine salt production resulted in the near abandonment of the facilities. Since the late 20th century the valley is being gradually restored.