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Avid travelers could get fed up with classic resort tours. Sometimes you really want to arrange themed trips, for example, visit the deepest canyons or explore the least visited islands. There are so many amazing natural formations in the world that end up on the pages of encyclopedias due to their unique properties. For example, there are the most saline lakes, in which the level of natural rock salt reaches such proportions that separate crystalline deposits and layers are formed. You should definitely look at such a marvel – you can get unique shots and enjoy how the artist nature manages to transform its elements.
Many salt marshes are located in the Russian Federation, as well as in the territory of the post-Soviet countries, while others are located in Turkey, Iran, Israel or Bolivia, as well as Antarctica. Interestingly, large salt lakes can only be found in arid areas of the arid subtropical zone.
We present you the TOP 10 saltiest lakes on the planet.
10 Elton
The lake is significant for many things: one of the largest European salt marshes, and the water is one of the most mineralized on Earth. There is a natural curiosity in Russia on the border with Kazakhstan. Two centuries ago, salt was actively mined here, and now a balneological resort with sanatoriums and various procedures (including mud) has been organized on the territory. The surface of the lake is golden with a beautiful pinkish tint, which appeared as a result of the vital activity of specific bacteria. Also, the salt marsh is close to a circle in shape, and is located in a lowland area between a number of salt peaks. This natural reservoir has no runoff. In summer, it often dries up (the depth is no more than 100 mm). In cold periods, water arrives, and the depth reaches one and a half meters.
9. Urmia
The area of this huge salt marsh at a favorable time is 6 thousand square kilometers. The natural landscape has long been open to tourists. The lake was formed in the border areas between the provinces of Western and Eastern Azerbaijan. By autumn, the reservoir reaches 280% salinity, and also contains a significant amount of sulfates. In the middle of the salt marsh, there are just over a hundred large and small islands, on which fragrant pistachio trees grow. It is not so difficult for a tourist to get to the protected area – the highway between the two cities (Tabriz-Urmia) comes to the rescue. You can go here on your own or book excursions that are held regularly.
8. Dead Sea
Few people have not heard of the lake-sea, which is located on the border of Jordan and Israel. In terms of salt concentration, this water formation overtakes all others, so do not be surprised by its name – complex living organisms really do not live there. In terms of area, the Dead Sea is not so large – just over eight hundred kilometers, and the diameter barely exceeded 65 km. In addition to salt accumulations, it is famous for its valuable mud, which is mined for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. There are many resorts along the coast, and one of the most famous is the memorial city of Massada with an amazing history. You can get to it by highway.
7. Kara-Bogaz-Gol
This lake also fell into our review, but its salinity is determined by the presence of amazing Glauber’s salt. The latter, in the process of evaporation, leaves valuable deposits of mirabolite on the shores. The reservoir occurred thanks to the Caspian Sea, which feeds its channel. The amazing nature arranged in such a way that the Caspian can pour its light waters into the salt marsh, but the heavy salt water cannot penetrate back.
6. Wanda
And here is the leader of our review – a unique lake that was discovered not just anywhere, but in Antarctica, alluring with ice. It has been established that the salinity of the water in Vanda is 20 times stronger than that of the sea, that is, it is even saltier than the Dead Sea! The water surface of the salt marsh is covered with a layer of transparent ice (4 meters), but the lower layers have a positive temperature of about 23ºС. Despite the stratification, the waters of Vanda do not mix with each other and always retain different degrees of salinity and temperature levels.
5. Bear
Solonchak is located on the territory of Russia in the Kurgan region. The salinity of the water provides a huge area and shallow depth. The lake is fed exclusively by melt water, so it is constantly in a state of evaporation. Despite the high salinity, some living organisms live in it, for example, bacteria, protozoa, and even crustaceans.
4. Assal
The beautiful lake is located inside the crater of an extinct Djiboutian volcano, that is, it is of volcanic origin. It is located 155 meters below sea level and is considered the lowest point on the African continent, so the waters of the environs of Djibouti flow here. The salinity of Assal reaches 350-400 grams per liter of water. Around the salt marsh are valleys with saline soil, as well as several extinct volcanoes. On the shore of the reservoir, salty crystalline deposits form a breathtaking landscape. The depth of natural formation is about 20 meters, where the main salt concentrate settles.
3. Retba
The increased salinity of this lake is achieved due to regular infusions of sea water and stable enhanced evaporation. The salt marsh is located in Senegal, surprising tourists with an unusual rich pink tint of water. The latter is achieved through the reproduction of a certain type of bacteria. On the territory of Retba, a unique pink salt is mined, which is valued in medicine and cosmetology. Surprisingly, it was in this salt marsh that the life of complex organisms (fish) became possible.
2. Don Juan
An amazing body of water with a romantic name is considered one of the coldest salt lakes, as it is located in Antarctica along with Wanda. It does not stand out in size (length up to 1000 meters, depth about 100). Also, Don Juan is gradually disappearing due to enhanced processes of evaporation and recharge exclusively by underground groundwater. Scientists have found that the salinity in this lake exceeds the average concentration of salt in the ocean by 18 times! Thanks to this indicator, the salt marsh water does not freeze even in the harsh Antarctic winter, when temperatures can reach minus 50ºС. For researchers, it was also curious and important that the landscapes of water traces resemble those on the planet Mars, which can be proof of the possibility of the existence of water on it.
1. Gaetel
Our review is completed by an African lake located in Ethiopia. The concentration of salt in water can reach over 760 grams per liter. Active evaporation processes occur due to the hot climate, because the water temperature often tends to + 50ºС. By the way, Gaetel is a relatively young salt marsh, as it was formed a little more than ten years ago after a strong earthquake. Since then, its waters have been filled with hot springs.
Here is such an amazing selection for people who are inspired by the beautiful salt deposits on the banks of salt marshes. Also, in the vicinity of such lakes, you can collect healing mud, which concentrates unique microelements and natural minerals. Yes, and rare natural salt in its unrefined form can be taken as much as your heart desires, which is important for lovers of organic food and cosmetics.