Complejo Bahía de Jiquilisco. 31/10/05; Usulutan; 63,500 ha; 13°13'N 088°32'W. The Jiquilisco Bay Complex constitutes the largest extension of brackish water and saltwater forest in El Salvador, including numerous estuaries and canals, sand dunes and beaches, various isles of different sizes, a freshwater lagoon complex and seasonally saturated forests connected to the mangroves, of which at least 6 types are present. The site constitutes the habitat of the large majority of coastal waterbirds in the country and nesting site of species such as Rynchops níger, Sterna antillarum, Charadrius wilsonia and Haematopus palliatus. The surrounding beaches are also nesting sites for the green turtle (Chelonia agassizi), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivaceae) and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriaceae), all of them threatened due to the overexploitation of their eggs. The site performs a very important function in the prevention of natural catastrophes by stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion. The most important economic activities involve fishing, shellfish extraction, aquiculture, salt extraction, cattle ranching and coconut plantations. There is some tourism in the area. Ramsar site no. 1586. Photos. Most recent RIS information: 2005.