Neusiedler See

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Lake Neusiedl Lake Fertő
View from Podersdorf to the west, 120 degrees panoramic photograph
Coordinates	47°50′N 16°45′ECoordinates: 47°50′N 16°45′E
Lake type	steppe lake
Primary sources	precipitation, Wulka
Primary outflows	evaporation (90%) Einserkanal (artificial)
Catchment area	1120 km²
Basin countries	Austria, Hungary
Max-length	36 km
Max-width	12 km
Surface area	315 km²
Average depth	1 m
Max-depth	1.8 m
Surface elevation	115.45 m
Settlements	Neusiedl am See, Rust

Lake Neusiedl (German: Neusiedler See, Hungarian: Fertő tó) is the second largest steppe lake in Central Europe and is located at the border between Austria and Hungary. The lake extends to 315 km², of which 240 km² are located on Austrian and 75 km² on Hungarian territory. The lake's drainage basin has an area of about 1120 km². From north to south, the lake is about 36 km long, and it is between 6 and 12 km wide from east to west. On average, the lake lies at 115.45 m above the Adriatic Sea and is no more than 1.8 m deep. Rainfall and aridity can cause significant floods and significant decreases in the lake's level respectively. In the past, the lake disappeared completely several times, most recently in the beginning of the 20th century.

Most of the lake is surrounded by reed. Water quality is characterized by the amount of salt and mud emanating from sediments in the ground. During the summer months, there are occasional reed fires, as dry reed is easily inflammable, and fires spread quickly because of the wind.

Before the regulation works of the 19th century, the lake extended in the southeast to the marshlands of the Hanság. It was thus closely connected to the Danube and the Raab rivers. Today, the water level is determined by a sluice on Hungarian territory near Mekszikópuszta. Bilateral issues are dealt with by the Austro-Hungarian water commission.

The national parks Neusiedler See-Seewinkel in Austria and Fertő-Hanság in Hungary were together accepted as World Heritage Site in 2001.

The region of Lake Neusiedl draws significant numbers of tourists. The lake is known as the "Sea of the Viennese," as it offers ample opportunities for sailing and windsurfing. There is also some commercial fishing.

A stork's nest typical for the region

The more important towns lying on the lake's shore are Illmitz, Podersdorf, Weiden, Neusiedl am See, Jois, Winden, Breitenbrunn, Purbach am Neusiedlersee, Donnerskirchen, Oggau, Rust and Mörbisch in Austria, and Fertőrákos, Fertőboz, Fertőd, Balf und Mekszikópuszta in Hungary, with the communities of Illmitz, Apetlon und Podersdorf forming the so-called Seewinkel (lake corner), which is located between the lake and the Hungarian border.

As of 2003, the water level is strongly decreasing, having fallen by 30 cm within just one year. This poses a problem for sailing and commercial shipping, as boats hit the ground more and more frequently.