Kazem Dashi, Lake Urmia, Iran

© Ali/Adobe Stoc

Info. Kazem Dashi rock formation in Lake Urmia, Iran

This beautiful lake in north-west Iran has had a tough couple of decades. Until the 1990s, Lake Urmia was one of the largest saltwater lakes on Earth, and the centre of a thriving resort scene. But by late 2017, the lake had shrunk to 10% of its former size due to a persistent drought, rising temperatures, water overuse and the building of a causeway across the lake. But now this salty lake (currently eight times saltier than the ocean) is coming back to life. Lake Urmia has seen gradually rising water levels for about two years now thanks to ongoing restoration efforts by Iran and other countries, plus a healthy rainy season in 2019.