Iran is home to Lake Urmia, one of the world’s largest salt lakes.
Lake Urmia lies in northwestern Iran between East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces. It is a closed-basin lake, meaning water leaves mainly through evaporation rather than flowing onward to the sea. That process concentrates salts in the remaining water.
The lake has undergone dramatic fluctuations in area and depth. Reduced inflow from rivers, drought, dam construction, and water use for agriculture contributed to severe shrinkage during the early twenty-first century. Conservation and restoration projects have attempted to improve its condition.
Lake Urmia should not be confused with Lake Van in neighbouring Turkey. Both are large lakes in the broader region, but Lake Van is a separate, high-altitude lake and is not located in Iran.