Jaffna Lagoon | |
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Location | Jaffna District, Sri Lanka Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka |
Coordinates | 9°35′N 80°15′E / 9.583°N 80.250°E |
Type | Lagoon |
Primary outflows | Indian Ocean |
Surface area | 400 square kilometres (150 sq mi) |
Surface elevation | Sea level |
Jaffna Lagoon is a large lagoon off Jaffna District and Kilinochchi District, northern Sri Lanka. The lagoon is surrounded by the densely populated Jaffna Peninsula containing palmyra palms, coconut plantations, and rice paddies. There are numerous fishing villages and some salt pans. The lagoon has extensive mudflats, seagrass beds and some mangroves. The lagoon attracts a wide variety of water birds including American flamingoes, ducks, gulls, terns and other shorebirds.[1]