Chott

/ʃɑːt/ noun

Definition

A shallow salt lake or depression in North Africa that fills seasonally and dries to a salt crust.

Etymology

From French chott, derived from Arabic shatt meaning 'shore' or 'bank,' referring to the dried salt flats of North Africa, particularly in Tunisia and Algeria.

Kelly Says

The Chott el Djerid in Tunisia is so vast and salty that it looks like a white desert—ancient caravans would cross it at night to avoid the blinding glare bouncing off the salt crystals!

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