Barsa-Kelmes former island

Kazakhstan / Akmechet / Saksaulskiy /
 urochishte (stow), UNESCO biosphere reserve, green space
Barsa-Kelmes (from Kazakh: "the land of no return") was the largest island in the Aral Sea which encompasses the Barsa-Kelmes Nature Reserve. Its area was 133 km2 in the 1980s, but has been steadily growing due to shallowing of the sea, until in the 1990s it ceased to be an island. Its altitude reaches up to 113 m. Because of the native salt deposits it is recommended to close the eyes during dust storms and strong winds.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barsa-Kelmes
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   45°39'21"N   59°56'0"E

Comments

  • This island also was a home for saiga tatarica, kulans and hazelles. Because of disaster of Aral sea many of them were relocated to other places in Kazakhstan
This article was last modified 6 years ago