Lake Salda. "Turkish Maldives". Soda lake van in turkey Turkish lake

Türkiye extracts most of its salts from one of the most protected lakes called Tuz. In Turkish it sounds like Tuz Gölü, which literally means Salt Lake when translated into Russian. About three officially registered mines are used for salt extraction. Ace is one of the most large lakes available in Turkey. It absorbs two deep streams and forms a salt marsh. However, in summer time When the light of the sun reaches an elevated temperature, more than eighty percent of the lake dries up, and a thirty-centimeter layer of salt appears. Precipitation and underground sources help maintain balance. In winter, the salt layer disappears due to the large amount of fresh water that comes from nearby surface and groundwater.

This natural wonder is located in Central Anatolia, just two hours' drive from Konya. Local residents diligently engage in the industry related to salt processing and its sale in countless markets in Turkey. By the way, Turkey annually pumps out about one hundred and fifty tons of salt here, which in its chemical composition is very similar to table salt. The bacteria and microalgae contained in Lake Tuz give the water a red tint under high ultraviolet radiation. Such changes in color, like a magnet, attract entire flocks of flamingos, kestrels and great amount white-fronted geese.

Most tourists come from Ankara, as the journey takes only 3 hours. The area of this attraction is one thousand five hundred square kilometers, although the depth varies from 1 to 3 meters, depending on the time of year. On south coast The lake grows a huge amount of reeds. Lake Tuz received the status of a specially protected area only in 2001, after an increase in the Flamingo population on the nearby islands. In addition, scientists have found that most of the water goes to fill the tectonic depression.

When more than 90 percent of the water evaporates, Lake Tuz turns into white desert, reminiscent of a snowy meadow consisting of bright salt crystals. According to the Aksaray University of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, the condition of the lake has deteriorated by eighty-five percent over the past hundred years, and under current conditions, Tuz is in danger of extinction. If the Turkish government cannot do anything to improve conditions, then perhaps future tourists will not be able to see this beauty. Therefore, it is worth taking the opportunity and traveling to the province of Anatolia.

The territory of Turkey, with the exception of the Anatolian Plateau, is covered with a dense river network. But all the rivers are mountainous in nature, abounding in waterfalls and rapids, which provides excellent opportunities for rafting.

The largest rivers of South-West Asia originate in the mountains of Turkey: the Tigris and Euphrates (Indian Ocean basin).

Most large rivers of the Black Sea basin - Kyzylyrmak (1355 km), Sakarya (824), Yeshilyrmak (519), Chorukh (466).

Of the rivers flowing into the Sea of Marmara, the largest is Susurluk (321 km).

To the pool Aegean Sea include relatively large rivers: Gediz (401 km), Büyük Menderes (307 km) and Maritsa.

Significant rivers of the basin Mediterranean Sea– Seyhan (560 km) and Ceyhan (509 km).

There are about 50 lakes in Turkey, the largest of which are the high-mountain salt lakes Van (3,713 sq. km) and Tuz (1,500 sq. km).

Between the ridges of the Western Taurus there are groups of lakes and deep basins ( fresh lakes: Beysehir, Egridir, Sugla; salty Adzhigol, Aksehir; Isparta basin, etc.), which gave this area the name “Turkish country of lakes.”

There are many on our planet amazing places that you need to see with your own eyes. One of them is Lake Van in Turkey. This is the largest soda lake on the planet.

Lake Van on the map

In terms of size, Van occupies 4th place in the world among never-drying endorheic reservoirs. The local residents call it the Sea of Van.

Where is?

The narrow strait of Van is divided into 2 parts: the southern one is large and deep, and the northern one is shallow and small.

Depth the average value of the reservoir is 161.2 m.
Water volume- about 576 km³.
Shore line stretches for 430 km.

IN the widest place it extends for 119 km, and the depth sometimes reaches 451 m.

The main feature of Lake Van is the composition of its water. It is salty, but the water in it is heterogeneous. The water is almost fresh in places where Van rivers flow in(this is the north and east sides):

Bendimahi;
Zeylan-Deresi;
Michinger;
Karasha.

Average salinity- 22‰. At a depth of more than 100 m, the salinity is 67‰, which exceeds the same indicator. Salt concentrations can vary greatly in different areas. The level of salinity varies with the seasons - in spring and early summer, melt water from mountain glaciers and frequent rains dilute the lake.

Water contains many different minerals, including soda. pH value is 9.5–9.8. The nature of the water is alkaline with a predominance of sodium salts, and this provides it with cleaning properties.

This quality of lake water was noted in his works by the Roman geographer and historian Strabo.

People have settled in these places since the times Neolithic. From here, from Mesopotamia, modern civilization began. Archaeologists believe that the capital of the ancient state of Urartu was located in the place where the city of Van is now located.

And other experts are sure that medicinal properties The water in Lake Van is superior, and diseases such as rheumatism and arthritis are cured here.

Unusual phenomena

The wonders of Lake Van include unique fauna representatives:

Pearl mullet. It belongs to the carp family, but looks similar to an ordinary herring. This unique fish thrives in the seemingly uninhabitable water of the lake, although it goes to spawn where the water is fresh. Pearl mullet caviar is considered a delicacy;
An amazing person lives on the shore van cat. It is prohibited to take it out of the country. He has white fur, and his eyes are most often of different colors - one is blue, the other is green. He swims well and catches fish in the lake;

The tips of the cat's ears are red; according to legend, they were simply colored by the sun while their owner was swimming in the water, sticking them out.

Lives in Lake Van monster. Thousands of witnesses have seen this creature, about 15 meters in size, with a long neck and the head of a plesiosaur (or someone else from that time).

Japanese scientists We spent six months on the shore of the lake in the hope of capturing it on film. A whole staff of enthusiasts worked at the University of Van. Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to obtain reliable information. Although it is possible that this is simply a desire to attract tourists to a region of Turkey that is not yet very popular for them.

Also in the water of the lake lives about 140 species of plankton.

In addition, there is an organized ferry crossing For railway route Ankara – Tabriz (Iran).

Other lake bowls of Turkey

In addition to Lake Van, other lakes in Turkey deserve the attention of tourists.

Salda

This lake is located in the province of Burdur at an altitude of about 1200 m above the level of the world's oceans. It is also of tectonic origin.

People built a stone embankment and a concrete embankment around the entire reservoir, where they installed benches, and they made dams on the river flowing into the lake so that the water would flow down beautifully in waterfalls.

On the shores of the lake there are good hotels and restaurant, where you can enjoy freshly caught trout.
One of the business owners is interested in making crafts from stumps and snags, so many of the items in the hotels and restaurant, including furniture, are made by him. The same works that came from his hands are displayed along the walls on the street.
The calling card of the lake is considered trout, which you can catch yourself using sports gear, and such fishing is the “trick” of Uzungol. However, in the spring the process is greatly hampered by the rapid flow of the river. But you can catch them in cages.
So, Türkiye is interesting to tourists not only for its warm sea and beaches, but also unusual lakes.

From Ankara we went to Cappadocia, and along the way we planned to stop at Lake Tuz, a large salt Lake, located in central Turkey.
The hours we spent on the lake were the only clear hours of the entire trip. But if I had a choice, I would again allocate them to visit this lake.

Lake Tuz is the second largest lake in Turkey and 70% of all Turkish salt is mined here. In summer, the lake mostly dries up, leaving a thick crust of salt on the surface, and in winter the lake fills with water.

A large population of pink flamingos also lives on the lake, but you need to look for them specifically; just driving from Ankara to Cappadocia you are unlikely to see them. You can get to the lake by simply standing at any exit on the road running along it and walking a couple of hundred meters. But, most likely, you will have to walk through a swamp, getting stuck in the mud.

Like that:

There is also an “official” entrance to the lake. The parking lot was actually built in convenient location, from it to the water it’s quite a short walk, but, of course, this place was immediately overgrown with vile traders. The path passes through a pavilion where all kinds of salt-based cosmetics are sold. When we entered, 3 (!) people, who had this salt on their hands, attacked us, trying to spread this salt on the skin of our hands. They said: “Give me your hand, give me your hand,” and it took us some effort to turn them off.

This is how this place looks from the side of the lake, killing all the beauty.

Well, since we’re talking about the bad, here’s another photo of a neighboring building with heaps of garbage.

But let's not talk about bad things, let's go back to the lake.

The main way to use the lake is as follows: go further into the water (the depth is the same everywhere), as a result you stand in water a couple of centimeters deep. There is a crust of salt underneath the surface and together with a thin layer of water it creates a mirror-like surface. So, you are standing on a giant mirror that reflects the sky. We take out the camera. We take pictures.

It is very beautiful in here. I highly recommend visiting. Unfortunately (or fortunately) this place is not very popular among tourists. It was quite difficult to find any information about his visit. However, you don’t need to go anywhere special. Driving along the only major road along the lake you will find everything yourself.

Lakes are picturesque places beauty where flora and fauna thrives. It is in these mysterious corners of nature that people can hide from the hustle and bustle of the 21st century. Türkiye certainly has many lakes, which are located in different parts of the enchanting country. Some bodies of water are even the largest in the world. Turks love to spend their weekends in these picturesque corners. Near the lakes there are many popular tourist attractions for picnics, camping, and hotels for temporary accommodation. What are the most popular and best lakes Turkey's must-visit destinations? Anatolian Zero Van in Eastern Turkey

Van is the most big lake in Turkey, which covers 3755 km². The natural reservoir is located 6 km from the main city center of the same name. The lake is surrounded by mountains whose height reaches 1312 meters above sea level. The water is unique because it contains high levels of salt, much higher than in the marine environment, making it ideal for swimming. And in 2016, the beach section of Lake Van received the Blue Flag award.

Lake Van is famous for the sights that are located on its shores. On the lake there is the island of Akhtamar, which is admired by everyone. It is home to a beautifully restored Armenian church with intricate frescoes and impressive ancient architecture.

The presented lake borders Iran in the east and Iraq in the south. Its rugged natural beauty makes the perfect backdrop for some impressive and intriguing sights. In the heart of the mountains and valleys lies Lake Van, a vast inland sea surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The Armenians who once lived around the lake were so captivated by its beauty that they had a saying: “Van in this life, paradise in the next.” To the north of the lake is the graceful 5,137-meter volcanic cone of Agridag - better known as Mount Ararat - a peak in Turkey. To the south of the lake is the mighty Mount Reshko (4135 m), which is the second peak in the country.
Various cities in western Turkey offer daily flights to Lake Van. To get here from Istanbul, you need to travel 1642 km. Van is an extremely civilized and welcoming center for exploration. A traditional bus ride from the city of Diyarbakir along the old trade route through the striking hill town of Bitlis and dim Tatvana is itself a base for exploring the northwestern shore of Lake Van. On the other hand, from Erzurum, travelers can head east to visit the city of Dogubayazit and its quaint palace at the base of Mount Ararat. From Van, a four-hour journey takes you through the impressive Hakkari Mountains, where an adventurous journey allows you to exit the region by following the road along the Iraqi border to Sirnak.

Lake Tuz near Cappadocia and Konya

Lake Tuz - favorite place for bird lovers. The natural attraction is located inland, in the central and rural Anatolian region of Turkey. Most people traveling from Istanbul to Cappadocia pass the featured lake at shuttle buses, but unfortunately they don’t stop here to view its incredible scenic views. It is the second largest lake in Turkey, with an area of 1665 km². It differs from Lake Van in that it has access to the sea with high saline levels.
Known as a large salty body of water, Lake Tuz is a fascinating sight for every visitor to Asian Turkey's Anatolia region. The reservoir is famous for its very salty waters, which consist of 32% salt. And, as is often the case with most salt lakes, Tuz is also home to a huge population of flamingos. Situated along the main highway between the capital Ankara and the attractions of Cappadocia, Lake Tuz has none of the usual tourist hotels created for visitors. However, tourists come here to see with their own eyes the wonderful expanse of salt water.

Summer weather dries the salt to form a hard crust, ready for mining. The result is that 60% of Turkey's salt consumption comes from Lake Tuz. IN last years The lake is under the watchful eye of environmentalists. The water level here was reduced to 60% of its previous volume between 1987 and 2005. After all, Tuz, first of all, is home to countless species of waterfowl, nesting and wintering. Wildlife lives on the lake and surrounding land areas, including small islands, swamps, especially flamingos, which are endangered in Europe. Bird colonies reach sizes ranging from 5 to 6,000 nesting sites. Aerial surveys annually estimate the number of chicks that have hatched and grown. Sometimes their numbers reach more than 10,000. Recent reductions in the amount of water that fills the lake have led to serious concerns about whether a flock of flamingos will be able to survive here in the future?

Lake Tuz differs from similar reservoirs in that it can change color. Thus, the reservoir reaches the red phase through the evaporation of water and as a result the appearance of red algae due to the invasion of flamingos. Every year, birds feed on shrimp and plankton, which provokes large losses of these organisms, which do not prevent the wild bloom of red algae. But during the summer, the loss of water leads to the fact that most former lake sparkles with white salt marshes. Local residents collect salt at this time. At the bottom of Lake Tuz, twenty-two different minerals are deposited by evaporation of water, many of which are used in the local cottage industry for the production of creams and cosmetics.

Although Tuz was listed as an environmental protection site in 2000, no measures have been taken to actually protect the lake's water. The former Esmekaya freshwater swamp has already dried up, disrupting the local economy that relied on it. In addition, illegal deep wells for irrigating sugar beet fields have reduced the level of groundwater flowing into the lake basin. Further water shortages threaten the wetlands that still exist. Another problem is that there are plans to use the area as an underground natural gas storage facility, which will further degrade the lake's ecology.
Most tours to the Central Anatolia region include a short stop at Lake Tuz. Travelers often stop here to wade into the shallow waters, waiting for the white surface. However, it is recommended to wear shoes on the lake, because the bottom of the reservoir is not sand, but sharp salt crystals, both along the shore and under water. Restrooms are available throughout the natural attraction. Bird watchers do not miss the opportunity to visit the lake, where flamingos can be seen from the main highway to the southern part. Despite the fact that large birds nest on the islands, birds often feed on nearby ponds. Other waterfowl can be observed in the marshes near the lake. There is no accommodation available for tourists on the lake shore, but nearby townŞereflikoğhisar has several hotels six miles away.

A visit to Lake Tuz is usually a temporary stop on the way from Ankara to Cappadocia. The Cappadocia region is famous for its famous "Fairy Chimneys" in nearby Goreme. Unusual geological features were created by soft volcanic rock, giving birth to bizarre towers. One of the "chimneys" has been converted into a church, and some of them were previously used as houses. The multiplicity of cave houses and hotels in the Cappadocia region allows visitors to plunge into the world of the fascinating history of Turkey and learn the legendary history of the region. One of the most exciting adventures is an excursion to underground city Derinkuyu. Some underground complexes available to visitors. Organized excursion is the safest way to see the most interesting sights. Hot tours on hot-air balloon and horseback riding tours are also available. Historical tours invite tourists to visit the Guray Museum in Cappadocia, where the art of ceramics introduces 5,000 years ago. The Cappadocia Museum of History and Art is another place where the past comes alive. Both of these sites are located in caves, like most hotels in the area.
Lake Bafa in the Aegean region of Turkey

Every morning during the summer, the shallow Lake Bafa in the Milas region attracts holidaymakers and local residents from nearby coastal resorts Kusadasi, Altinkum and Bodrum flock to waterside restaurants to feast on the village's organic breakfast. The picturesque place contains a mass of historical ruins scattered throughout the landscape, belonging to the former ancient city Heraclea.

The unique Lake Bafa was part of the Aegean Sea, but slowly, over hundreds of years, its inlet, connected to the Menderes Delta River, was blocked. In 2013, the lake gained notoriety due to environmentalists raising concerns about chemicals and pollution in the water body, which is harmful to flora and fauna.

Lake Abant in Bolu Province

Perhaps one of the most underrated places is Lake Abant in the northwestern region. It attracts the attention of Turks who seek a unique setting in the vastness of their native country. Officially, the reservoir belongs to the Black Sea zone, and many species of flora and fauna thrive here. Like other places rural areas in Turkey, the lake remains little known to travelers and is not listed on well-known tourist routes.
However, knowledgeable anglers tend to come here because nowhere else in Turkey there are unique trout species like here. The beauty of the area and low prices land ownership has resulted in the region around Bolu becoming popular for real estate investment.

Lake Sapanca

For many years the Turks used Lake Spanaca for picnics and summer walks. It's profitable to book a room: from modest campsites to luxurious SPA resorts, away from the hustle and bustle big city Turkey can be on Lake Sapanca. People often come here on weekends from Istanbul.

Fishermen constantly occupy the shoreline of the reservoir, while restaurants near the lake allow you to taste the best fish dishes. This romantic place, where couples are in love, where people enjoy tranquility in a picturesque setting. As an alternative for amateurs active rest You can choose from water skiing, kayaking and canoeing. Sapanca is another area that is becoming increasingly popular for real estate investment. Turks want to buy a house in this area for personal residence or rental.
Turkish Lake District

Sitting at the foot of the majestic mountain range Taurus in southwest Turkey, the traveler is introduced to the Turkish lakes region, which has gained fame in recent years due to its tranquil and picturesque setting. The area includes numerous lakes, including Salda, Burdur, Aksehir and Beysehir, which are surrounded by forested mountains and hills. The region is a famous destination for tourism and mountaineering. Christian tourism enthusiasts also pay great attention to the Lake District because of the famous St. Paul's Trail, which runs through it.

Founded during the Hittite Empire, the city of Egirdir and its stunning lake is the heart of the area. Many Greek Orthodox citizens lived here within the borders in the early 20th century. Today, the area called Green Island is a favorite place to relax on weekends and during fishing holidays. However, the place is devoid of tourist influx and is ideal for anyone looking for an authentic experience.

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