| Chott Ech Chergui | |
| Pushpin Map: | Algeria |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Chott ach-Chargui in Algeria |
| Type: | Endorheic salt lake |
| Basin Countries: | Algeria |
| Length: | 160km (100miles) |
| Width: | 24km (15miles) |
| Area: | 2000km2 |
| Elevation: | 1027m (3,369feet) above sea level |
Chott Ech Chergui (Arabic: شط الشرقي) is a large endorheic salt lake in Saïda Province, northwestern Algeria.[1] It is located at in the level terrain of the Hautes Plaines region between the Tell Atlas and the Saharan Atlas and is one of the largest lakes in Algeria.
The Chott Ech Chergui has an area of about 2000 km2 where water collects during the wet season, forming a number of large shallow salt lakes which become salt flats as they dry. The lake area has a length of about 160 km from ENE to WSW and lies at an average elevation of 1000 m.[2]
Chott Ech Chergui has been designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance. The Ramsar site has an area of 8555 km2 and is the natural environment for a number of threatened and vulnerable animal and plant species.[3]