GEOGRAPHY THROUGH MAPS
Aral Sea
The Aral Sea occupied a large closed basin between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Diversion of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya for irrigation greatly reduced inflow, causing fragmentation, salinity increases and exposure of former lake bed.
Fast Facts
- Its two principal tributary systems are the Syr Darya and Amu Darya.
- The North Aral is in Kazakhstan; remnants of the South Aral lie farther south.
- It has no natural surface outlet to an ocean.
Connected lessons
- Aral SeaMap, explanation and practice
- Interior Asia: water that does not reach an oceanGuided exploration
Geographical connections
- Lake BalkhashRelated places
- Syr DaryaRelated places
- Amu DaryaRelated places
- Karakum DesertRelated places
- Lake UrmiaRelated places
- Caspian SeaRelated places
- Pamir MountainsRelated places
- Kyzylkum DesertRelated places