The name 'Chott el Djerid' means 'Lake of the Land of Palms' in Arabic. In winter, a shallow layer of water covers parts of the lake, turning it into a giant mirror that reflects the sky in brilliant pinks and blues. In summer, the water evaporates completely and only the salt crust remains, cracking into geometric patterns like a giant jigsaw puzzle baked into the ground.
Mirages happen at Chott el Djerid more dramatically than almost anywhere on Earth. The heat rising off the salt flat bends light so that distant mountains look as if they are floating above the ground, and the horizon appears to shimmer like a silver lake. Ancient travellers crossing the desert were often tricked by these mirages into thinking there was water nearby.
Despite looking lifeless, the lake and its edges support surprising wildlife. Flamingos sometimes wade through the shallow winter waters. Salt-tolerant plants called halophytes grow along the edges, and tiny brine shrimp live in the salty water. The lake was also used as a filming location for Star Wars — the distant twin suns of Tatooine were filmed here at sunset.