Lake Urmia [or Orumiyeh]

Ramsar logo

Lake Urmia [or Orumiyeh]

  • Country: 
    Iran (Islamic Republic of)
  • Site number: 
    38
  • Area: 
    483,000 ha
  • Designation date: 
    23-06-1975
  • Coordinates: 
    37°30'N 45°30'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Lake Urmia [or Orumiyeh]. 23/06/75; Azarbayjan-e Gharbi; 483,000 ha; 37°30'N 045°30'E. Biosphere Reserve; National Park. A vast hypersaline lake with many islands, surrounded by extensive brackish marshes. The lake is fed by rainfall, springs and streams and subject to seasonal variation in level and salinity. The brackish marshes support reeds and large breeding colonies of various waterbirds with large numbers of flamingos (40,000-80,000 pairs), and are an important staging area for migratory waterbirds. A number of human settlements are scattered around the lake shore. Ramsar site no. 38. Most recent RIS information: 1997.

Administrative region: 
West Azarbaijan

  • Global international designation: 
    • UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
  • National legal designation: 
    • national park
  • Last publication date: 
    01-01-1997

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Site map

Additional reports and documents