The Ebro Delta is one of the largest wetland areas in the western Mediterranean region, at 320 km2 . The Ebro delta has expanded rapidly on soils washed downriver. The town of Amposta, a seaport in the 4th century, demonstrates the historical rate of growth of the delta as it is now located well inland from the current river mouth. The rounded form of the delta attests to the balance between sediment deposition by the Ebro and removal of this material by wave erosion.
The area at the primary mouth of the Ebro is currently protected by several fluvial islands: the Isle of Garxal (280 ha.), the Isle of Sant Antoni (170 ha. ), and the Isle of Buddha (1,231 ha.)
The Ebro Delta was placed, with 7,736 ha in 1993, on the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance as defined for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.
