Lake Van is Turkey’s largest lake by surface area and is notably saline and alkaline.
The lake lies in eastern Turkey at an elevation of about 1,640 metres, surrounded by volcanic mountains. It has no natural outlet, so evaporation leaves dissolved minerals behind and gives the water its alkaline character. Lake Van covers roughly 3,755 square kilometres, although its level and area vary.
The lake is also important archaeologically and historically. Akdamar Island contains the medieval Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, built in the tenth century. The lake’s unusual ecosystem includes the Van catfish, an endemic fish adapted to its alkaline waters.
Lake Van is sometimes confused with Lake Tuz, another famous saline lake in Turkey. Lake Tuz is much shallower and is known for salt production, but it is far smaller than Lake Van.