Gironde estuary

The Gironde estuary (zhi-ROND, US usually ji, estuaire de la Gironde, French pronunciation: [ɛstɥɛʁ də la ʒiʁɔ̃d], Occitan: estuari de [la] Gironda, Occitan pronunciation: [estyˈaɾi ˈde lo dʒiˈɾundo]) is a navigable estuary (though often referred to as a river) in southwest France, formed from the meeting of the rivers Dordogne and Garonne just downstream from the centre of Bordeaux. Covering around 635 km2 (245 sq mi), it is the largest estuary in Western Europe. Giving its name to the French département Gironde, the Gironde estuary is approximately 75 km (47 mi) long and 3–12 km (1.9–7.5 mi) 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.

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