Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake, lies at an altitude of 1,600 m in the high mountain range of Tien-Shan (Heaven’s mountains) in the north of Kyrgyzstan. Issyk-Kul is 2nd after Lake Titicaca at an elevation of 3812 m, in South America, world’s largest high mountain lake covering a surface of 6,236 sq. km.
The lake has an average depth of 270 m (maximum depth 668 m). As the salt content of the lake water is low (approx. 58 mg/l) and because of the numerous warm springs at the bottom of the lake it does not freeze despite the low temperatures. In Kyrgyz Issyk-Kul means hot lake. The richness in fish – over 20 species live in the lake – make the lake not only one of the most important source of food of the region but also an important resting place.
