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Tonlé Sap is a large lake in Cambodia that dramatically changes size with the seasons, expanding and shrinking as water flows in and out. It is important because it supports Cambodia's fishing industry and provides food and livelihoods for millions of people who live around and depend on it.
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Article
Tonlé Sap (/ˈtɒnleɪ sæp/; Khmer: ទន្លេសាប, Tônlé Sab [tɔnleː saːp]; lit. 'Fresh River' or commonly translated as 'Great Lake') is a lake in the northwest of Cambodia. Belonging to the Mekong river system, Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. It was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997 due to its high biodiversity. The lake has a large seasonal variation in water depth, with the post-monsoon level sometimes being as much as 10 metres (33 ft) higher than before. During the 21st century, the lake and its surrounding ecosystems have come under increasing pressure from deforestation, intensive agriculture and fishery, infrastructure development and climate change.
Geography