Sarysu: Azerbaijan's largest natural lake in the Kur-Araz Lowland

Sarysu, Azerbaijan's largest natural lake, sits in the Kur-Araz Lowland on the Imishli–Sabirabad border. A shallow wetland supporting birdlife and local water uses, important for regional ecology and livelihoods.

Sarysu (Azerbaijani: Sarısu, literally "Yellow Lake") is a prominent body of water in central Azerbaijan. It is recognized as the country's largest natural lake.

Location

The lake lies within the Kur-Araz Lowland, a broad plain shaped by the Kura and Aras rivers. Administratively, Sarysu sits on the border of the Imishli and Sabirabad rayons (districts), placing it in a low-lying agricultural region of the country.

Physical and ecological notes

Sarysu occupies a shallow basin typical of the lowland zone. Its waters and surrounding wetlands provide habitat for a variety of aquatic and bird species, and the lake plays a role in local water balance and seasonal landscape dynamics.

Human context

Communities in the nearby rayons use the area for livelihoods linked to the lake and the plain, including activities that depend on the region's water resources. Management of Sarysu affects both environmental values and local economic interests.