Russian Lake Issyk-Kul 02BE;
Lake, northeastern Kyrgyzstan.
Situated in the northern Tien Shan , it is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world, having a surface area of some 2,425 sq mi (6,280 sq km) and reaching 2,303 ft (702 m) in depth. Its name (from the Kyrgyz word for "hot lake") refers to the fact that it does not freeze during the winter. To conserve the lake's wildlife, the Issyk-Kul 02BE; Preserve was founded in 1948.