Göksu

The Göksu (Saleph) is a river in Cilicia (Turkey). Both its sources arise in the Taurus Mountains, the northern in the Geyik Mountains, the southern in the Haydar Mountains. They join south of Mut to form the Göksu.

The river is 260 km long and empties into the Mediterranean Sea between Tasucu and Silifke. The delta of the Göksu, including Akgöl Lake and Paradeniz Lagoon, is one of the most important breeding areas in the Near East; over 300 bird species have been observed. Among others, flamingos, herons, bee-eaters, kingfishers, laughing gulls, nightingales and black-and-white warblers (Mniotilta varia) breed here. The endangered sea turtle (Caretta caretta) lays eggs here.

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa drowned in the Göksu (then called Saleph) in 1190, on the Third Crusade.

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