Birket Qarun

Lake in the province of Faiyûm, central Egypt, 80 km/50 mi southwest of Cairo. Nearly 200 sq km/77 sq mi in area, it lies 43 m/141 ft below sea level, and is about 18 m/60 ft deep at its deepest point.

The lake was once larger, and on its banks was the labyrinth described by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus; Amenemhat III, Egyptian ruler of the 12th dynasty (2000-1788 BC), was responsible for the embankment of the lake, in which sacred crocodiles were kept. The lake's classical name is Moeris.