Aral Sea

The Aral Sea stretches across the desert regions of Central Asia, with salt deposits covering the dry lake bed between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

During the 1960s, Soviet irrigation projects diverted water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, reducing the lake to less than 10% of its size.

Local fishing communities relied on the lake's resources for generations, establishing ports and developing specific fishing methods for the regional species.

The North Aral Sea demonstrates rehabilitation through the Dike Kokaral dam construction, which increased water levels and reduced salinity for fish population recovery.

The exposed former seabed transformed into the Aralkum Desert, creating a new landscape where ships rest on sand hundreds of kilometers from water.

Location: Kazakhstan

Elevation above the sea: 31 m

Part of: Mediterranean Sea Area

GPS coordinates: 45.00000,60.00000

Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:43