Hidden Pink Lakes: 11 Secret Locations Where Nature Painted the Waters Pink

6. The Forgotten Pink Pools of Mauritania

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Deep within the Sahara Desert, close to Mauritania's Atlantic coast, are a sequence of linked pink ponds that have stayed mostly hidden from view. Formed by old geological processes and supported by subterranean springs, these amazing water bodies show different tones of pink all year long. The unique colour of the pools is produced by the severe circumstances of the desert environment, together with high salt concentrations and particular bacterial populations. Long using these waters as navigational markers, local Bedouin tribes have kept their precise location under careful protection. With its undulating dunes and rocky outcrops, the surrounding desert scene offers a striking background for these odd natural events. Remote position and difficult access of the pools have helped to maintain their natural state and enigmatic appeal.