There are about 5 million lakes in the world, but we have only heard about a few of the largest ones. Do you think that Baikal is the largest lake in the world? In fact, Baikal occupies only 7th place in the ranking of the largest lakes!
Did you know that the area of the largest lake on the planet is equal to the area of 52 million football fields and is comparable to the area of Moscow multiplied by 150 times? No? Then read below!
No. 10. Great Slave Lake - 28,930 square kilometers. North America.
Great Slave Lake is the 10th largest lake in the world by area, and it is also the deepest lake in North America. Its depth is 614 meters. The dimensions of Great Slave Lake are 480 km long, 19-109 km wide, and an area of 28,930 square kilometers.
From October to June the lake is frozen; in winter the ice can support the weight of trucks. Rivers flowing into the lake: Hay, Slave, Snowdrift, etc. The Mackenzie River flows out of the lake. The origin of the lake is glacial-tectonic.
No. 9. Lake Nyasa - 30,044 square kilometers. East Africa.
Lake Nyasa (Malawi) is the ninth largest lake in the world by area. Lake Nyasa fills a crack in the earth's crust in the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, located between Mozambique and Tanzania. The length of the lake is 560 km, depth - 706 m. Nyasa contains 7% of the world's liquid reserves fresh water.
Nyasa is known for its rich ecosystem, many of the species found in the lake are endemic. The origin of the lake is tectonic.
No. 8. Great Bear Lake - 31,080 square kilometers. Canada.
Great Bear Lake is located 200 km south of the Arctic Circle in Canada. The lake ranks eighth in area in the world and fourth in North America. Dimensions of the lake: length - 320 km, width - 175 km, maximum depth - 446 m.
The lake has not much good story. Uranium was found here. It was from here that uranium was mined to make the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The lake is almost always covered with ice; the ice rarely melts before the end of July. The origin of the lake is glacial-tectonic.
No. 7. Lake Baikal - 31,500 square kilometers. Eastern Siberia.
Baikal is the deepest lake in the world, the largest water reservoir, which contains 20% of the world's liquid fresh water reserves. Baikal is also considered one of the cleanest lakes in the world.
The lake ranks seventh in area in the world and first in volume. Dimensions of the lake: length - 636 km, width - 80 km, maximum depth - 1642 m, volume - 23,600 km3.
The origin of the lake is tectonic, its age is more than 25 million years. The fauna of Lake Baikal is one of the most unique in the world; many species are endemic.
No. 6. Lake Tanganyika - 32,893 square kilometers. Central Africa.
Lake Tanganyika is one of the deepest lakes in the world, along with Lake Baikal. The lake lies between 4 countries - the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi.
Dimensions of the lake: length - 676 km, width - 72 km, maximum depth - 1470 m, volume - 18,900 km3. The origin of the lake is tectonic.
Tanganyika lies in Africa's deepest tectonic basin and is part of the Congo River basin, one of the largest rivers in the world.
No. 5. Lake Michigan - 58,016 square kilometers. North America.
Lake Michigan is one of the Great Lakes. This lake is the largest lake located entirely within the United States. Michigan is the fifth largest in the world and the third largest among the Great Lakes. The volume of the lake is 4918 m3, length - 494 km, width - 190 km, maximum depth - 281 m. The origin of the lake is glacial-tectonic.
No. 4. Lake Huron - 59,596 square kilometers. North America.
Lake Huron is one of the Great Lakes. This lake is located on the territory of two countries: the USA and Canada. Huron is the fourth largest lake in the world. The volume of the lake is 3538 m3, length - 331 km, width - 295 km, maximum depth - 229 m. The origin of the lake is glacial-tectonic.
No. 3. Lake Victoria - 69,485 square kilometers. East Africa.
Lake Victoria is located in Tanzania and Kenya. With the construction of the Owen Falls Dam in 1954, the lake was converted into a reservoir. There are many islands on the lake. Fishing is developed on the lake and there are many ports in three countries. On the island of Rubondo (Tanzania) formed national park.
Victoria is the third largest lake in the world. The volume of the lake is 2760 m3, length - 320 km, width - 274 km, maximum depth - 80 m. The origin of the lake is tectonic.
The lake was discovered and named in honor of Queen Victoria by British traveler John Henning Speke in 1858.
No. 2. Lake Superior - 82,414 square kilometers. North America.
Lake Superior is the second largest in the world and the largest among the Great Lakes, located on the border of the United States and Canada. The volume of the lake is 12,000 m3, length - 563 km, width - 257 km, maximum depth - 406 m. The origin of the lake is glacial-tectonic.
Etymology of the name. In the Ojibwe language, the lake is called Gichigami, which means “big water.”
No. 1. Caspian Sea - 371,000 square kilometers. Europe Asia.
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth, which is classified as the largest lake or sea due to its size. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Volume - 78,200 m3, length - 1200 km, width - 435 km, maximum depth - 1025 m. The length of the coastline of the Caspian Sea is approximately 6500 kilometers.
130 rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, the largest of them are the Volga, Terek, Sulak, Ural, Kura, Artek, etc. The Caspian Sea washes the shores of Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Azerbaijan.
The origin of the lake is oceanic.
The Caspian Sea is located on the border of Europe and Asia and is surrounded by the territories of five states: Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Despite its name, the Caspian Sea is the largest lake on the planet (its area is 371,000 km2), but the bottom, composed of oceanic earth's crust, and salt water along with large sizes give reason to consider it a sea. A large number of rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, for example, such large ones as the Volga, Terek, Ural, Kura and others.
Relief and depth of the Caspian Sea
Based on the bottom topography, the Caspian Sea is divided into three parts: southern (the largest and deepest), middle and northern.
In the northern part, the depth of the sea is the smallest: on average it ranges from four to eight meters, and the maximum depth here reaches 25 m. Northern part The Caspian Sea is limited to the Mangyshlak Peninsula and occupies 25% of the total area of the reservoir.
The middle part of the Caspian Sea is deeper. Here the average depth becomes 190 m, while the maximum is 788 meters. The area of the middle Caspian Sea is 36% of the total, and the volume of water is 33% of the total volume of the sea. It is separated from the southern part by the Absheron Peninsula in Azerbaijan.
The deepest and largest part of the Caspian Sea is the southern one. It occupies 39% of the total area, and its share of the total water volume is 66%. Here is the South Caspian depression, which contains the deepest point of the sea - 1025 m.
Islands, peninsulas and bays of the Caspian Sea
There are about 50 islands in the Caspian Sea, almost all of them are uninhabited. Due to the shallower depth of the northern part of the sea, most of the islands are located there, among them the Baku archipelago belonging to Azerbaijan, the Seal Islands in Kazakhstan, as well as many Russian islands off the coast of the Astrakhan region and Dagestan.
Among the peninsulas of the Caspian Sea, the largest are Mangyshlak (Mangistau) in Kazakhstan and Absheron in Azerbaijan, on which such big cities as the capital of the country Baku and Sumgayit.
Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay Caspian Sea
The coastline of the sea is very indented, and there are many bays on it, for example, Kizlyarsky, Mangyshlaksky, Dead Kultuk and others. The Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay deserves special mention, which is actually a separate lake connected to the Caspian Sea by a narrow strait, thanks to which it maintains a separate ecosystem and higher salinity of water.
Fishing in the Caspian Sea
Since ancient times, the Caspian Sea has attracted residents of its shores with its fish resources. About 90% of the world's sturgeon production is caught here, as well as fish such as carp, bream, and sprat.
Caspian Sea video
In addition to fish, the Caspian Sea is extremely rich in oil and gas, the total reserves of which are about 18-20 million tons. Salt, limestone, sand and clay are also mined here.
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Despite the fact that the word “lake” is associated with a small and quiet body of water, this is not always the case. If you have ever wondered: “what deepest lake in the world, or what is the largest lake in the world,” then you have come to the right place. After all, today we will look at the most grandiose lakes of our planet, and figure out which of them is worthy of the title - “the largest”.
The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world
It's strange, but the largest lake in the world– this is the Caspian Sea. But it is called the sea only because of its enormous size, because its area reaches up to 371,000 km2, the water level reaches 26.75 meters, the volume of water is 78,648 km3 (44% of the world's lake water reserves).
The salinity of the lake varies from 0.05% to 13%, depending on the location. The lowest salinity is observed at the confluence of the Volga River into the lake, the highest in the south. Shaped like the Latin letter “S”, the sea extends from north to south for 1200 km, from west to east from 195 to 435 km. Conventionally, the sea is divided into three parts: the northern, middle and southern parts. The coastline of the Caspian Sea reaches 7000 km. In most places it is low-lying and smooth, with the exception of the north, where it is cut by the Volga delta.
Lake Superior and Victoria, which is the largest lake?
Next on the list is Lake Superior. In addition to the fact that this body of water is the largest, coldest and deepest among the Great Lakes (USA/Canada, North America). It is included in the list - " largest freshwater lakes in the world”, and not only enters, but takes second place in it. The northern border of this lake is the Canadian province of Ontario, the western is the American state of Minnesota, and the southern is the states of Wisconsin and Michigan. The lake appeared during the melting and retreat of the ice sheet.
Lake Victoria got its name from the British Queen. On the continent of Africa, it is the largest body of water. It is located on the territory of several countries - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The largest lakethere are a large number of islands in the world. The Nile River flows out of the lake. The maximum depth of the lake is 80 m, making the lake classified as deep.The area of the lake is about 68,000 km2. Width and length – 275 by 320 km. Also, Victoria is located in the tectonic trough of the East African platform at an altitude of 1134 m; by the way, it has almost With largest waterfall in the world .
The largest freshwater lakes in the world, other options
Other large lakes can be considered (in descending order) - Huron (59,600 km2), Michigan (57,750 km2), Aral Sea (constantly decreasing due to the withdrawal of water from the lake for irrigation of fields), Tanganyika (34,000 km2), Baikal (the deepest lake planet, 31,722 km2), Great Bear Lake and Nyasa.
Natural attractions are scattered throughout the planet and attract tourists no less than museums and architectural sites of antiquity. Lakes occupy a leading position in the list of the most visited sites. Picturesque corners of the Earth delight the eye and allow you to relax in the lap of nature. Some are impressive in size and resemble the sea, since it is not possible to see the opposite shore.
Lakes are also a source of fresh water, vital arteries of their regions. Nature reserves may exist next to them, enterprises may be built nearby, and excursion tours may be organized. The economy and tourism are often directly related to lakes and their surroundings. As for the environmental component, much attention has also been paid to it in recent decades.
The largest lakes on earth by area
List, photos with names and descriptions
Caspian Sea (436,000 km²)
It is located on the territory of five states at once, including Russia. The water in it is brackish. Five rivers flow in. The water level hovers at 27 meters below sea level. Eat large peninsulas and about fifty islands different sizes. On the coast there are port and resort cities, as well as smaller settlements. Animal and plant worlds varied. The climate and water temperature are changeable.
Verkhnee (82100 km²)
Located in the United States and Canada, it is part of the Great Lakes system. Of the fresh ones, it is the largest in the world. The Nipigon River flows in and the St. Marys River flows out. The depth is impressive and in some places reaches four hundred meters. Although the temperatures here are low, the surface is not covered with ice even for winter period, as opposed to the coastline. There are several ports. In these waters there is a lot of relatively rare species fish
Victoria (68870 km²)
It is located on the territory of three southern African countries. The average depth is about forty meters. The water is fresh. Since 1954, when the dam was built, it has actually been turned into a reservoir. There are many small islands. The Kagera River flows in and the White Nile flows out. average temperature air in the lake area: +20-+22°C. There are two rainy seasons per year. Fishing and an increase in the population on the coast have led to a deterioration in the ecological situation.
Huron (59,600 km²)
Located in the United States and Canada, it is part of the Great Lakes system. The Straits of Mackinac connects it to neighboring Lake Michigan. The St. Marys River flows in and the St. Clair River flows out. The average depth is within sixty meters. There are many islands and bays. Since the middle of the last century, the fish population has been recovering, fry are being released, and representatives of the authorities are closely monitoring the ecological background.
Michigan (58,000 km²)
The only one of the Great Lakes system located entirely in the United States. The Straits of Mackinac connects it to neighboring Lake Huron. The water is fresh. Maximum depth – 281 meters. The height above sea level is 177 meters. For four months of the year the surface is covered with ice. There are quite large islands, and several cities are located on the coast.
Tanganyika (32600 km²)
Located in four countries Central Africa. The longest freshwater lake on the planet. Included in the Congo Basin. The depth at the lowest point reaches 1470 meters. The water temperature on the surface is from +24°C. The fauna is represented by two thousand species, of which almost a third lives in a limited area. Fishing and waste dumping in the northern part of the lake has led to its pollution.
Baikal (31500 km²)
Located in Russia. The largest freshwater in Europe. Many rivers flow in, but only one flows out - the Neva. Its waters contain natural attractions various types, including the Nizhnesvirsky Nature Reserve. There are also architectural monuments. And also memorials. Among the islands, Valaam is the most famous. Shipping is developed, used in economic activity and tourism.
Balkhash (16400 km²)
Located in Kazakhstan. Part of the reservoir is freshwater, part is salt water. These zones are separated by a narrow strait. Several rivers flow in. The average depth is less than six meters. The lake is surrounded on each of the four cardinal directions different types terrain. The east is a sandy massif, the west is desert, the south is mountains, the north is steppe. The fauna is small both in species and in total number.
East (12500 km²)
Located in Antarctica. The largest of the subglacial ones. Nearby is the same name Russian station. The absolute depth is more than 1200 meters. The water temperature reaches +10°C, heating comes from geothermal underground sources. It took a decade to get to the lake. accurate calculations and drill a well. Research into water and the microorganisms living in it continues.
Lake Onega (9720 km²)
Located in Russia. Many rivers flow into it, and there are more than one and a half thousand islands in its waters. The average depth is 30 meters. Some of the banks are swampy, some are covered with taiga forests. There are two ports and several settlements of different status. Lots of fish, including rare species. Since industrial enterprises are located on the lake, the ecological condition of the area is deteriorating.
Titicaca (8372 km²)
Located in Peru and Bolivia. The largest fresh water reserves in the region. There are several cities and towns on the coast; there are settlements of Aboriginal people who have preserved many traditions, including economic ones, of their ancestors. Shipping is developed. The average depth is 107 meters. The height above sea level is 3812 meters. About three hundred rivers flow in, and only Desaguadero flows out.
Nicaragua (8264 km²)
Located in the country of the same name. Among freshwaters, this is the only place where sharks can be found. The average depth is 13 meters. Large waves appear on the surface, and sometimes storms occur. The islands are numerous and grouped together. The Tipitapa River flows in and the San Juan River flows out. Nicaragua is associated with Caribbean Sea through the shipping canal. A canal between the oceans is also under construction, which will pass through the lake.
Athabasca (7850 km²)
Located in Canada. The greatest depth is 124 meters. The Slave and Mackenzie rivers flow out, and the Athabasca river flows in. Deposits of uranium and gold were discovered on the coast, which led to the emergence of mines and active mining, but in the early 80s of the last century, work was curtailed. There are sand dunes on the southern coast. There are more than twenty species of fish in the lake.
Taimyr (6990 km²)
It is located in Russia on the peninsula of the same name beyond the Arctic Circle. Climate zone– tundra with occasional areas of permafrost. Several rivers flow into it, and Taimyr flows through it, which has an addition to the name "Upper" and "Lower" depending on its position. Arctic fish are found in the waters of the lake, the fauna is represented by a very small number of species.
Turkana (6405 km²)
Located in Kenya and Ethiopia. Has a second name - Rudolf. There are three islands in its waters. Several rivers flow in, but none flow out. It is famous for its crocodiles, which are impressive in size and numerous. Important archaeological finds related to ancient people and the geography of the area were made in the district in different periods.
Raindeer Lake (6330 km²)
Located in Canada. Origin: glacial. The average depth is 17 meters. From late spring to early summer the surface is covered with ice. The lake became the venue for sport fishing competitions. The coast is sparsely populated. One of the natural attractions is Deep Bay, which was formed due to the fall of a meteorite one hundred million years ago.
Issyk-Kul (6200 km²)
Located in Kyrgyzstan. The height above sea level is more than 1600 meters. The water is brackish. The lake is drainless, and about eighty tributaries flow into it. There are four bays, each in use but not actively. The climate is mixed - sea and mountain, which attracts tourists. Coastal settlements vary in size, but there are quite a lot of them.
Urmia (6001 km²)
Located in Iran. The largest lake in the Middle and Near East. The water is salty. The lake is drainless. The greatest depth is 16 meters. There are more than a hundred islands, some with pistachio forests. The surface does not freeze. Shipping is developed and active. The appearance of a dam in 2008 divided the water area into two parts and had a negative impact on the environment.
Vänern (5545 km²)
Located in Sweden. The largest in the country. From December it is covered with ice; it remains on the surface until mid-spring, but the layer is not thick and periodically thaws. The average depth is 27 meters. There are small islands in the water area, and there are three large ones. They, like the lake, are part of the national park. About 30 rivers flow into it. Major ports are used all year round. Fishery is developed.
Winnipegosis (5403 km²)
Located in Canada. The average depth is about 12 meters. The absolute height above sea level is 254 meters. On the coast there are three large settlements. Fishery is developed. Types of fish sufficient quantity, but the emphasis is on trout. Since there were some problems with the environment, the authorities created two reserves in the district and are engaged in restoring populations of rare species.
Albert (5299 km²)
Located in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Height above sea level – 615 meters. The distance to the deepest point from the surface is 58 meters. The bottom is mostly without sharp changes. Two rivers flow in and one flows out, which is a tributary of the Nile. Shipping is developed, but weak. There are many types of fish. Water temperature high all year, reaches 30 °C.
Mweru (5120 km²)
Located in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The height above sea level is 917 meters. The average depth is about seven and a half meters. The water is fresh. The largest inflowing river is the Luapula. Flowing - Louvois. The rainy season has little effect on the water level in the lake, which makes it different from other reservoirs in the region. There are many fishing villages on the coast.
Nettilling (5066 km²)
Located in Canada. Height above sea level – 30 meters. The average depth is 20 meters. It is fed by small rivers, as well as Lake Amadzhuak, located in a southerly direction. The eastern part is shallow and includes three bays. Since there is almost always ice here, it is difficult for fish to survive here. Adapted to local conditions only three types. Caribou deer live near the lake.
It's incredible on ours beautiful planet There are a huge number of beautiful corners of nature. The mystery of some of them has not yet been fully solved; they frighten with their desert silence, centuries-old trees and thousand-year-old stones. Travelers, tourists and just vacationers have long trodden the path to others. All the paths there have long been studied, every stone has been photographed and the path has been concreted...
Among all natural phenomena, lakes can be distinguished into a separate category. They are not as huge as the sea, not as fast as the river, but there is something special in their magical beauty and mysterious silence. It attracts you to these places like a magnet and doesn’t want to let you go back. In this collection you can see the 10 largest lakes in the world, which at the same time are simply fabulously beautiful, and you will learn interesting facts about them.
Caspian Sea
Despite its inaccurate name, it is the largest lake on our planet. It is located at the junction of Europe and Asia, and received its name because of its enormous size. The shape of the Caspian Sea resembles the Latin letter S. The length of the coastline of the Caspian Sea is almost 7,000 kilometers. Its maximum depth is 1,025 meters. In this regard, it is second only to Baikal.
Victoria
This lake is the third largest in the world in general and the second largest freshwater lake. It is located simultaneously in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. British explorer John Henning Speke discovered this lake in 1858 and named it in honor of Queen Victoria. The area of the reservoir is 68 thousand square meters. km, length 320 km, maximum width 275 km. The northern coast of this lake crosses the equator. Victoria's surrounding area is home to 30 million people.
Michigan
The area of this North American lake is approximately 57,750 square meters. km. It is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the United States. It is covered with ice for about four months of the year. The states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin have access to the lake.
Huron
One of the North American Great Lakes, which is located simultaneously in the USA and Canada. It is located just north of Lake Michigan, and is connected to it by the Strait of Mackinac. The area of Huron is approximately 59.6 thousand km. square (the second largest area among the Great Lakes). This lake is bordered by the state of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario. The name of the reservoir was given by the French after one of the Indian tribes.
Upper
The largest, coldest and deepest of the North American Great Lakes, the second largest in the world, the largest freshwater lake in the world. The origin of Lake Superior is associated with the melting of the ice sheet, the retreat of which formed a number of large reservoirs that changed their shape many times.
Aral Sea
This is a salt lake in Central Asia, on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Over the past few decades, the water level in it has been constantly decreasing due to the constant intake of water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for the purpose of irrigation. Water flowing from the fields into the beds of these two rivers has caused the deposit of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals on the bottom of the lake. Dust storms lift and carry chemicals over long distances. Therefore, local residents suffer greatly from respiratory and other diseases.
Tanganyika
A large lake located in Central Africa. It was discovered in 1858 by English travelers R. Burton and J. Speke. The shores of the reservoir unite four countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi. The area of the lake reaches 34 thousand km. sq. Its shore consists mainly of rocks. The lake is home to hippopotamuses and crocodiles, the local population engages in fishing, and shipping is developed. Living organisms are found in this lake only up to 200 meters deep, and beyond that the water is saturated with concentrated hydrogen sulfide.
Baikal
The deepest lake on our planet. It is located in Southern Siberia and is of tectonic origin. The lake and the area around it are unique in the number and diversity of its flora and fauna. More than half of this lake is covered with ice. Baikal is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges.
Great Bear Lake
The largest lake in Canada, which is located in the Arctic Circle. It drains into the Mackenzie River. In the vicinity of the reservoir you can see incredibly beautiful paintings.
Nyasa
This lake is simultaneously located in Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi. Its area is approximately 30.8 thousand km. sq., and the depth is up to 706 m. The shores are very high and rocky. This reservoir is very rich in fish, and it is also home to crocodiles, hippos, and various waterfowl have chosen the shores.
