Namak Lake

Namak Lake
Namak Lake
Location	40% in Aran va bidgol County ( Isfahan province ) 30% in Qom province 30% in Semnan province
Coordinates	34°30′N 51°52′E / 34.500°N 51.867°E / 34.500; 51.867
Type	Salt lake
Part of	Isfahan province
Primary inflows	Qom River
Primary outflows	Evaporation
Basin countries	Iran
Surface area	1,800 km2 (690 sq mi)
Max. depth	1 m (3 ft 3 in)
Surface elevation	790 m (2,590 ft)
Islands	Sargardan island
Settlements	Aran va bidgol

Namak Lake (Persian: دریاچه نمک, romanized: Daryâče-ye Namak, i.e., salt lake) is a salt lake in Iran. It is located approximately 100 km (62 mi) east of the city of Qom and 60 km (37 mi) of Aran va bidgol at an elevation of 790 metres (2,590 ft) above sea level.

The lake is a remnant of the Paratethys sea, which started to dry up from the Pleistocene epoch, leaving Lake Urmia and the Caspian Sea and other bodies of water. The lake has a surface area of about 1,800 km² (690 sq mi), but most of this is dry. Water only covers 1 km² (0.4 sq mi). The lake only reaches a depth between 45 centimetres (17.72 in) to 1 metre (39.37 in).

The air in this area is very dry and the temperature difference between day and night reaches 70 degrees Celsius.^[1] Due to the high rate of evaporation and very high salinity of the water, Qom's salt lake has a desert-like structure and is covered with thick layers of salt. Also, this lake is known as the habitat of some special plant and animal species that have the ability to live in the harsh and salty conditions of this region.^[2]

Aliabad Caravanserai, Red Castle, Desert National Park, Sefidab Caravanserai and Manzariyeh Caravanserai are some of the sightseeing places in Qom around Namak Lake.^[3]

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