Issyk-Kul is the world’s second-largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea.
The lake lies in northeastern Kyrgyzstan, high in the Tian Shan mountains. It is an endorheic lake, meaning it has no normal surface outlet: rivers and streams flow in, while water leaves mainly through evaporation. That closed drainage helps salts accumulate, although its salinity is far lower than seawater.
Issyk-Kul means “warm lake” in Kyrgyz, a fitting name because its salinity and depth help keep it from freezing as often as its mountain setting might suggest. The lake reaches about 668 metres deep and sits roughly 1,607 metres above sea level.
It is often confused with Lake Balkhash, another major saline lake in Central Asia. Issyk-Kul is also a Ramsar site and part of a biosphere reserve, valued for its mountain scenery, wetlands and biodiversity. Its water level has been affected by river diversion and changing water use.