Meaning of the word "Baskunchak"

 

      Nowadays there is no common opinion of the lake's name origin.

      Some researchers explain this name as "dog's head"from Turkic.

      According to the legend a merchant caravan lost its way in these steppes. Suddenly, thirsty travelers saw a lake ahead of them. The dog of one of the merchants ran to the water and began to lap it greedily. And since the water in the lake is very salty, the dog immediately died and fell into the lake.

On the surface was its head alone.

So they called the lake "Dog's head" or "Baskunchak".