Lake Urmia (Iran) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and map.
Lake Urmia is located in the northwestern part of Iran, east of the Kurdish Mountains, stretching 140 km in length and approximately 50 km in width. Lake Urmia itself and the surrounding landscapes represent an indescribable, mesmerizing picture. The relief area diffuses sunlight, giving it a special softness, making local sunrises and sunsets unforgettable. The color of the salt-saturated lake water is unevenly distributed, the shades of blue are enchanting and eye-catching, and the islands scattered across the lake make the landscape even brighter and more magical.
 |
| Lake Urmia |
The lake bears its current name in honor of the city of Urmia, located nearby. Initially, "a deep lake with salty waters", as it was described in the book of the Zoroastrians "Avesta", was called Chechasht, which means "shining white". And the Arab geographer Istakhri called him Buhayrat al-Shurat - “the lake of heretics”. During the Middle Ages, the lake had several other names, among which the most common were Salt Lake, Kabudan, Shahi and Tala.
Salt crystals of various sizes can be seen in the lake water. Their white masses sticking out of the water and the snow-white salt valley, which remained where the water once was - a picture permeated with peace and beauty. Swimming in the lake is very pleasant, the salty water feels silky, dense and warm.
 |
| Lake Urmia |
The relief of the area near Lake Urmia scatters sunlight, giving it a special softness, making local sunrises and sunsets unforgettable. The color of the salt-laden lake water is unevenly distributed, striking in numerous shades of blue.
In 1967, most of Urmia was incorporated into the national park of the same name.
Environmental problems around Lake Urmia
This lake belongs to those bodies of water that were previously considered endless, but now they are gradually disappearing from the face of the Earth. The drainless Lake Urmia was once a huge body of water, which still serves as a source of water for several million people.
 |
| Lake Urmia |
However, these same people, when the lake completely dries up, will be under the threat of a shortage of fresh water. However, the responsibility for the impending catastrophe lies with these same people: they build dams that block rivers, which in turn feed the lake, and use river water in huge volumes to irrigate fields. In addition, since 2008, the lake has been divided into two parts by a dam, along which the highway runs, - because of this, the mixing of lake water has deteriorated, which also negatively affects its condition.
Flora and fauna of Lake Urmia
There are about a hundred islands of different sizes in the lake. On those that are larger, pistachio forests grow. The coastline is predominantly salt marshes; rush and reed grow on the swamps at the mouths of the rivers.
 |
| Lake Urmia |
Without a single source, Lake Urmia is very salty, therefore the reservoir itself and its shores cannot boast of the exuberant activity of living organisms. There are no fish at all in the lake, but algae growing in it serve as food for small crustaceans. Pelicans, flamingos and shelves build nests on the lake; often here you can see migratory birds resting during their migration to warm regions and back.
How to get there
You can get to Lake Urmia by bus or taxi from the cities of Tabriz and Urmia.