Urmia Lake

Lake Urmia spans 6,000 square kilometers between East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces, with multiple rivers feeding its waters through a closed drainage system.

The lake area contains archaeological sites dating back to 6000 BCE, including settlements at Yanik Tepe and Dalma Tepe that reveal extensive human occupation.

Five million inhabitants near Lake Urmia speak Azeri Turkish and maintain traditions such as gathering in teahouses and practicing regional agricultural methods.

The water level fluctuates seasonally, rising in spring with snowmelt contributions and decreasing during dry summer months when salt concentration reaches 28 percent.

The lake supports specific wildlife adapted to extreme salinity, including brine shrimp populations that attract flamingos, pelicans, and numerous migratory birds.

Location: West Azarbaijan Province

Location: East Azarbaijan Province

Elevation above the sea: 1,270 m

GPS coordinates: 37.66200,45.40500

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:14