Aral Sea (Remnants)

Western Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan

---

The Aral Sea, once one of the world’s largest inland lakes, lies between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Beginning in the 1960s, the sea shrank dramatically after the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers were diverted for large-scale irrigation projects, turning much of the former lakebed into desert and creating one of the world’s most famous environmental disasters. Today, only remnants of the sea remain. In Kazakhstan, the North Aral Sea has experienced partial recovery thanks to restoration efforts, including the construction of the Kokaral Dam, which helped raise water levels, reduce salinity, and revive local fish populations.

The region is known for its stark landscapes, exposed seabeds, abandoned fishing vessels, and small communities that still depend on the remaining waters. The remnants of the Aral Sea serve as both a reminder of the impact of human activity on the environment and a symbol of ongoing ecological restoration efforts.