Once spanning over 7,000 hectares, La Janda was the largest inland wetland in the Iberian Peninsula and the southernmost marsh complex in Europe. Nestled in the province of Cádiz, Andalucía, it formed a seasonal mosaic of shallow lagoons and lush marshes, sustained by the rivers Barbate, Celemín, and Almodóvar. This vibrant ecosystem served as a crucial stopover for countless migratory birds crossing the Strait of Gibraltar — a unique biogeographic gateway between two continents and two oceans.
La Janda was not only a sanctuary for wildlife, but also a cradle of early human activity. In the mountains overlooking the former lagoon, over 250 caves adorned with prehistoric rock art have been discovered, including the distinctive “Laguna de la Janda style.” These naturalist paintings, portraying cranes, flamingos, swans, and other species, reflect the deep connection between ancient peoples and the wetland’s rich biodiversity.
Despite its ecological and cultural importance, La Janda was drained in the mid-20th century to make way for intensive agriculture, particularly rice and cotton. Its hydrology was radically altered, and its wetlands replaced by private fields. Today the land is under a ‘100 year private lease’ and despite a significant effort to restore the land to public domain, there is a continuous political/administrative silence over the matter. The Association “Friends of La Laguna de la Janda,” founded in 1994, is working tirelessly to bring attention and action to this cause.
Even today, decades after its drainage, migratory birds continue to use La Janda as a resting and refueling site on their long journeys between Northern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. This persistence underscores the site’s enduring ecological value, and the urgent need to recover it.
