Chott el Djerid
Encyclopedia
Chott el Djerid also spelt Shaţţ al Jarīd, Sciott Gerid, and Shott el Jerid, is a large endorheic
salt lake
in southern Tunisia
.
Roughly in the shape of a tadpole, with a width of 20 km (12.4 mi) at its narrowest point, it reaches 250 km (155.3 mi) in overall length. At times, parts of it appear in various shades of white, green and purple
It is the largest salt pan
of the Sahara
with a surface area of over 7,000 km2 (some sources state 5,000 km2). Due to the extreme climate with annual rainfall of only 100 mm and temperatures reaching 50 °C, water evaporates from the lake. In summer Chott el Djerid is almost entirely dried up, and numerous fata morganas
occur.
During winter, a small tributary of water can be seen discharging into the lake.
desert begins. The towns of Kebili
and Douz
are also located south of the lake.
During winter, when the lake is full, it can be crossed by boat. Piles of salt at its edges are collected for salt production processing.
series, among others.
Endorheic
An endorheic basin is a closed drainage basin that retains water and allows no outflow to other bodies of water such as rivers or oceans...
salt lake
Salt lake
A salt lake or saline lake is a landlocked body of water which has a concentration of salts and other dissolved minerals significantly higher than most lakes . In some cases, salt lakes have a higher concentration of salt than sea water, but such lakes would also be termed hypersaline lakes...
in southern Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
.
Geography
The bottom of Chott el Djerid is located between 10 and 25 meters above sea level.Roughly in the shape of a tadpole, with a width of 20 km (12.4 mi) at its narrowest point, it reaches 250 km (155.3 mi) in overall length. At times, parts of it appear in various shades of white, green and purple
It is the largest salt pan
Salt pan (geology)
Natural salt pans are flat expanses of ground covered with salt and other minerals, usually shining white under the sun. They are found in deserts, and should not be confused with salt evaporation ponds.A salt pan is formed where water pools...
of the Sahara
Sahara
The Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
with a surface area of over 7,000 km2 (some sources state 5,000 km2). Due to the extreme climate with annual rainfall of only 100 mm and temperatures reaching 50 °C, water evaporates from the lake. In summer Chott el Djerid is almost entirely dried up, and numerous fata morganas
Fata Morgana (mirage)
A Fata Morgana is an unusual and very complex form of mirage, a form of superior mirage, which, like many other kinds of superior mirages, is seen in a narrow band right above the horizon...
occur.
During winter, a small tributary of water can be seen discharging into the lake.
Surrounding area
South of Chott el Djerid, the Grand Erg OrientalGrand Erg Oriental
The Grand Erg Oriental is a large erg in the Sahara desert. Situated for the most part in Saharan lowlands of northeast Algeria, the Grand Erg Oriental covers an area some 600 km wide by 200 km north to south...
desert begins. The towns of Kebili
Kebili
Kebili is a desert town in central Tunisia. It is located at around , south of the Chott el-Jerid. It is the capital of the Kebili Governorate.- History :...
and Douz
Douz
Douz is a town in central Tunisia, known as the "gateway to the Sahara." In previous times it was an important stop on the trans-Saharan caravan routes...
are also located south of the lake.
Access
The lake can be crossed by foot and even by car, but this is very dangerous since the salt crust is not always firm.During winter, when the lake is full, it can be crossed by boat. Piles of salt at its edges are collected for salt production processing.
Star Wars film location
Chott el Djerid was used as a filming location for the Star WarsStar Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
series, among others.