Turkey contains Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey.
Lake Van is a saline and highly alkaline lake in eastern Turkey, near the borders with Iran and Armenia. It occupies a tectonic depression and is surrounded by volcanic landscapes, including Mount Süphan and the Nemrut volcano.
The lake covers roughly 3,755 square kilometres, although its level and shoreline have changed over time. Because it has no natural outlet, dissolved minerals accumulate in the water, making Lake Van unsuitable for most freshwater species.
Akdamar Island, located in the lake, is known for the 10th-century Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Lake Van is also associated with the legendary Lake Van monster, but the reported creature has not been scientifically verified.