Which Turkish lake is the largest soda lake in the world?

The Turkish lake recognized as the world’s largest soda lake is Lake Van.

Lake Van occupies a closed basin in eastern Turkey, between the provinces of Van and Bitlis. It is a saline soda lake, meaning its alkaline water contains substantial sodium carbonate and other dissolved salts. Because the lake has no outlet, minerals delivered by streams remain in the basin as water evaporates.

The lake covers about 3,755 square kilometres and reaches a maximum known depth of roughly 451 metres. Its water has a pH near 9.7–9.8, making it strongly alkaline. High salinity also helps prevent most of the lake from freezing despite its elevation—about 1,640 metres above sea level.

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 and seasonal wetlands, whereas Lake Van is vastly larger and deeper. A volcanic eruption is thought to have blocked Lake Van’s former outlet in prehistoric times, helping create its modern endorheic character.