Russia Travel Blog | All about Russia in English

Feb/15

9

Baskunchak – a unique salt lake

Baskunchak is a salt lake, with an area of about 115 square km, located in Akhtubinskiy district of Astrakhan region, about 270 km north of the Caspian Sea and 53 km to the east of the Volga River.

Salt extraction on the lake began in the 8th century. Lake Baskunchak was officially mentioned first time in 1627 in the first geographical description of Russia as a place “where they mine salt as pure as ice.” The view of the lake from the satellite. The photos were taken by Richard Zorge.

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 1

Today the lake remains the source of very pure salt (99.8% NaCl) – it accounts for up to 80% of the total salt production in Russia. Depending on demand, the volume of production varies from 1.5 to 5 million tons per year.

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 2

On the shore of the lake, there are deposits of healing clays. In June-August, tourists come here to bathe and take a mud bath. You can get to the lake by bus or taxi from Akhtubinsk town.

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 3

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 4

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 5

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 6

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 7

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 8

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 9

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 10

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 11

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 12

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 13

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 14

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 15

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 16

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 17

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 18

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 19

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 20

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 21

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 22

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 23

Baskunchak - a unique salt lake, Russia, photo 24

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Tags:  ·

<<

>>

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply