Which salt lake in southern Tunisia is a famous part of the Sahara’s northern landscape?

Chott el Djerid is the famous salt lake in southern Tunisia’s Saharan landscape.

Chott el Djerid is a large endorheic salt lake, meaning its water does not flow to the sea. It occupies a broad depression between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. Most of the lake is extremely shallow, and its surface often dries into a crust of salt and other evaporated minerals.

The lake’s size changes with seasonal rainfall and evaporation. Patches of brine, salt crust and mineral colours can create striking visual effects, but these should not be mistaken for supernatural phenomena. The name “chott” is used in North Africa for a salt lake or saline depression.

Chott el Djerid is distinct from Chott el Fejaj and Algeria’s Chott el Hodna. It is also separate from Tunisia’s coastal salt flats, despite their similar appearance.