Aral Sea

The Aral Sea is the large inland basin between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan that underwent one of the most dramatic human-caused shrinkages of a major lake in the 20th century. It was formerly among the world’s largest lakes and has been reduced substantially since large-scale river diversion projects began in the 1960s.

At its mid-20th century extent the Aral Sea covered tens of thousands of square kilometres; following decades of reduced inflow it split into separate northern and southern basins and lost most of its volume and coastline. Today the remaining water bodies, exposed seabed and isolated islands are studied for environmental, social and economic impacts and draw visitors observing the sea’s decline and restoration efforts.

Historically the Aral Sea received inflow from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers; its shoreline and basin straddle the border between Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the south, with nearby regional towns and former ports marking the retreating coastline.

• Dramatic shrinkage: Once one of the world's largest inland bodies of water, its surface area has shrunk dramatically since the 1960s because rivers feeding it were diverted for irrigation.
• Visible legacy sites: Remnant shoreline towns and ship graveyards, notably around former ports, illustrate the sea's retreat and are common points for visitors and study.