Lake Elton

Lake Elton
Эльтон
Lake Elton, as seen from space
Location Volgograd Oblast
Coordinates 49°8′0″N 46°40′0″E / 49.13333°N 46.66667°E / 49.13333; 46.66667Coordinates: 49°8′0″N 46°40′0″E / 49.13333°N 46.66667°E / 49.13333; 46.66667
Type salt lake
Basin countries Russia
Surface area 150 km2 (58 sq mi)
Max. depth 0.6 m (2 ft 0 in)

Lake Elton (Russian: Эльтон) is a salt lake in Volgograd Oblast, Russia, near the border with Kazakhstan. It has an area of 152 km² and is from 0.5 to 0.7 m deep.

Transportation

A bus ride can be taken from Volgograd (6 hours mostly because of long stops in rural towns) and also by train from Saratov and Astrakhan (also 6 hours) can lead travelers to the area.

History

Salt was excavated from Elton since the times of Ivan the Terrible through the end of the 19th century.[1] Before 1865 the government was the excavate and in 1865–1882 the lake was heavily used by private businesses.

Image of the surface of the lake showing salt deposites

There is a spa resort near the lake since 1910 and a sanatorium since 1945. Rapa (salty water) from Elton is believed to help curing diseases of different cause, for example gynaecological problems.

Elton Ultra Trail Run

Elton Ultra Trail is one of the most severe Russian races. There are two distances of 38 km and 100 miles. It was first organised in 2014.

References

  1. "Lake Elton". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2013-10-18.


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