Chott Melrhir
| Chott Melrhir | |
|---|---|
View from space. Note that most of the lake is already dried up in this picture. | |
| Coordinates | 34°20′N 6°20′E / 34.333°N 6.333°E |
| Type | Endorheic salt lake |
| Catchment area | 68,750 km2 (26,540 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Algeria |
| Surface area | 6,700 km2 (2,600 sq mi) |
| Official name | Chott Melghir |
| Designated | 4 June 2003 |
| Reference no. | 1296 |
Chott Melrhir, (Arabic: شط ملغيغ) also known as Chott Melghir or Chott Melhir, is an endorheic chott-kind of salt lake in northeastern Algeria. It is the westernmost part of a series of depressions which extend from the Gulf of Gabès into the Sahara. It was formerly known as Lake Tritonis. They were created between Miocene and Early Pleistocene as a result of compression accompanying the formation of the Atlas Mountains. With the maximum area of about 6,700 km2 (2,600 sq mi), it is the largest lake in Algeria. It lies almost entirely below sea level and contains the lowest point in Algeria, −40 meters (−130 feet). Its size varies over the year and is usually larger than 130 km (81 mi) from east to west. The nearby cities are Biskra (60 km north-west), El Oued and Touggourt (85 km south).