10 Facts about Tonle Sap, the Great Lake in Cambodia 🇰🇭

Tonle Sap, also known as the Great Lake, is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, located in the central part of Cambodia. The lake is connected to the Mekong River via a channel and is an important source of fish and livelihood for millions of people in the region. During the rainy season, the Mekong River swells and pushes water back up the Tonle Sap River, causing the lake to expand by up to five times its original size. This annual flooding of the lake is a unique natural phenomenon that helps to support Cambodia’s agriculture and fishing industries.

Tonle Sap is home to over 300 species of freshwater fish, making it one of the most diverse freshwater ecosystems in the world. The lake is also an important breeding ground for several bird species, including the endangered spot-billed pelican and the greater adjutant stork. The lake is surrounded by several floating villages, where residents live in houses built on stilts and make a living from fishing and tourism. Visitors can take boat tours around the lake to see the floating villages and observe the local way of life.

Tonle Sap Lake is a designated biosphere reserve by UNESCO, due to its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem. However, the lake and its surrounding areas face several environmental challenges, including overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss due to deforestation and development. Many organizations are working to address these issues and protect the lake’s unique ecosystem.

Here are 10 facts about Tonle Sap Lake:

1. Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, covering an area of approximately 2,700 square miles.

2. The lake is located in the central part of Cambodia and is connected to the Mekong River via a channel.

3. During the rainy season, which typically runs from May to October, the Mekong River swells and pushes water back up the Tonle Sap River, causing the lake’s size to increase by up to five times its original size.

4. The annual flooding of the lake is a unique natural phenomenon that helps to support Cambodia’s agriculture and fishing industries.

5. Tonle Sap Lake is home to over 300 species of freshwater fish, making it one of the most diverse freshwater ecosystems in the world.

6. The lake is also an important breeding ground for several bird species, including the endangered spot-billed pelican and the greater adjutant stork.

7. The lake is surrounded by several floating villages, where residents live in houses built on stilts and make a living from fishing and tourism.

8. Visitors can take boat tours around the lake to see the floating villages and observe the local way of life.

9. Tonle Sap Lake is a designated biosphere reserve by UNESCO, due to its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem.

10. The lake faces several environmental challenges, including overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss due to deforestation and development. Many organizations are working to address these issues and protect the lake’s unique ecosystem.