Burdur Gölü

Lake Burdur (altitude: 845m/2,773ft), 35km/22mi long and 9km/6mi across at its widest, was known in antiquity as Askania Limnae. It lies in a trough of relatively recent origin, the axis of which runs parallel to the mountains, with a fault-line close to the lake's southern shore. It is no surprise therefore that the area is subject to severe earthquakes (e.g. at Dinar in 1914 and Burdur in 1968). During the last Ice Age the water level was considerably higher (about 950m/3,118ft above sea level) and the lake much larger, extending southwest into what is now the Lake Yarasli basin and draining northeastwards, via the valley-like watershed of Baradiz, through the Isparta basin into Lake Egridir.

Clearly the climate has become more arid since then. Masses of shells found along the old, elevated shoreline show that mussels were a major ingredient in the diet of the inhabitants at that time. The Hacilar tombs are also situated at the higher level.

In contrast to many of the neighboring lakes the 200sq.km/77sq.mile Burdur Gölü has no (karst) drainage system, either above or below ground. Its waters in consequence are sulfurous and salty, supporting a unique species of fish (named "Aphanius burduricus" after the lake) and providing an important habitat for the white-headed duck. A large percentage the world population of this threatened salt water species, overwinter on the lake. White storks nest in a village destroyed by an earthquake on the southern lakeside, and flocks of flamingos sometimes crowd the shores.