Water shapes the geography, economy, and recreation of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
* **Major Rivers:** The **Garonne** and the **Dordogne** are the region's lifeblood, converging to form the massive **Gironde Estuary**—the largest estuary in Western Europe. Other notable rivers include the Charente, the Vienne, and the Adour. * **Lakes:** The region boasts several large freshwater lakes along the coast, including **Lake Hourtin-Carcans** (the largest natural freshwater lake in France), Lake Lacanau, and Lake Cazaux. * **Coastline:** The region is bordered to the west by the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean), featuring the Côte d'Argent (Silver Coast)—the longest continuous sandy beach in Europe, backed by towering dunes and pine forests.
