Lake Qarun, also known as Birket Qarun, is a striking natural lake located in the Faiyum Depression, about 80 kilometers southwest of Cairo. Measuring roughly 40 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide, it is one of the oldest lakes in the world, with a history stretching back thousands of years. Today, it forms the heart of the Faiyum Oasis, a unique region where desert, fertile farmland, and water meet.
Continue reading “Lake Qarun, Egypt: Nature, History, and Myth”2025 Egypt – Day 21 – Lake Qarun & Cairo
Lake Qarun, also known as Birket Qarun, is one of Egypt’s most ancient and ecologically significant natural lakes. Located in the heart of the Fayoum Depression about 80 kilometers southwest of Cairo, the lake lies at the intersection of human civilization, geology, and ecology. Once a vast freshwater body connected to the Nile, Lake Qarun has undergone dramatic transformations over thousands of years. Today, it is a saline, closed-basin lake covering approximately 214 square kilometers, though this surface area fluctuates with water management and climate conditions.
Continue reading “2025 Egypt – Day 21 – Lake Qarun & Cairo”2025 Egypt – Day 6 – Lake Qarun
Lake Qarun is one of Egypt’s oldest and most ecologically significant natural landmarks. Located in the Fayoum Depression, approximately 80 kilometers southwest of Cairo, the lake lies below sea level and occupies the lowest point of the depression. Today it is Egypt’s third-largest lake and a vital part of the Fayoum Oasis ecosystem. Despite being saline, Lake Qarun supports a unique mix of flora and fauna and is central to regional agriculture, tourism, and scientific research.
Continue reading “2025 Egypt – Day 6 – Lake Qarun”