Location Volgograd Oblast Basin countries Russia Max. depth 0.6 m (2 ft 0 in) | Type salt lake Surface area 150 km (58 sq mi) Area 150 km² | |
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Lake Elton (Russian: Эльтон) is a salt lake in Volgograd Oblast, Russia, near the border with Kazakhstan. It has an area of 150 km² and is from 0.3 to 0.6 m deep.
Contents
Map of Lake Elton, Volgograd Oblast, Russia, 404256
Transportation
A bus ride can be taken from Volgograd (6 hours mostly because of long stops in rural towns) and also by train from Saratov and Astrakhan (also 6 hours) can lead travelers to the area.
History
Salt was excavated from Elton since the times of Ivan the Terrible through the end of the 19th century. Before 1865 the government was the excavate and in 1865-1882 the lake was heavily used by private businesses.
There is a spa resort near the lake since 1910 and a sanatorium since 1945. Rapa (salty water) from Elton is believed to help curing diseases of different cause, for example gynecological problems.