Lakes of Kazakhstan

Most of Kazakhstan is endorheic basin (except northern territories). As it is expected, the rivers flow into the numerous lakes in the basin. The most important drainage system is known as Yedisu, meaning "seven rivers" in Turkic languages. Below is the list of more important lakes. Some of these lakes are shared with the neighbouring countries. (Caspian Sea, Lake Aral, Lake Aike, etc.)

THE LAKE SURFACE AREA

(in km2)

SURFACE AREA

(in mi2)

NOTES
Caspian Sea 371 000 143 250
Aike 64.7 25
Alakol 2650 1023 Bird breeding and nesting ground
Aral 17160 6630 Shrinking due to environmental problems[1]
Balkhash 16996 6562
Bartogay
Chagan Artificial lake (Former nuclear test site)
Issyk[2]
Jasybay
Kayindi
Kamyslybas 176 68
Markakol 455 175
Sasykkol 600 232
Tengiz 1382 534 Bird breeding and nesting ground
Zaysan 1810 700
Zhasylkol

Notes

  1. ^ Kazakhstan government is trying to rescue the northern part of the lake
  2. ^ Different from Issyk Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan