What is the Aral Sea and why is it significant?

The Aral Sea is a large saltwater lake in Central Asia, situated between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. At its peak, it was once the fourth-largest lake in the world. However, due to excessive water usage in the region, the Aral Sea has since dried up, and today it is more of a barren desert than a lake. This situation is considered one of the worst environmental disasters in history.

The Aral Sea was once fed by two major rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya. However, in the 1960s, the Soviet government diverted the rivers' water for irrigation purposes to increase cotton production in the region. This led to the gradual shrinking of the lake, and by the 1990s, the lake had lost 90% of its water volume. The exposed lakebed has caused major health issues in the region, with dust storms carrying salt and pesticides causing respiratory illnesses.

The Aral Sea's shrinking has also impacted the local economy, with the fishing industry collapsing due to the lack of water. The region's climate has also been affected, with winters becoming colder and summers hotter. However, efforts are being made to save the Aral Sea, with the Uzbek and Kazakh governments working together to restore the lake's water levels.