Lake Van

Lake Van (Turkish Van Gölü, in Armenian: ???? ???) is the largest lake in Turkey, located in the far east of the country. It is a saline lake of vulcanic origin with no outlet, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. The lake is 120 km long, 80 km wide, has an area of 3,755 km² and is located 1 719 metres above sea level.

Related Topics:
Turkish - Armenian - Lake - Turkey - 3,755 - Km²

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The lake was formed at some time during pleistocene, when lava flows from Nemrut volcano blocked westward outlet towards the Mus Plain. Now dormant Nemrut Dagi is close to the western shore of the lake and another dormant stratovolcano Suphan Dagi dominates the northern side of the lake.

Related Topics:
Pleistocene - Lava flows - Nemrut - Stratovolcano - Suphan Dagi

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Vans waters are rich in sodium carbonate and other salts which are extracted by evaporation and used as detergents. Darekh, a species of herring caught during the spring floods, spawns near the mouths of streams feeding the lake and is the only fish that can survive in the brackish waters.

Related Topics:
Sodium carbonate - Salt - Detergent - Darekh - Herring - Fish - Brackish water

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The lake is surrounded by fruit and grain-growing agricultural areas.

Related Topics:
Fruit - Grain - Agricultural

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