There’s something about a lake that just begs to be explored. Maybe it’s the fact that they are typically surrounded by nature, or maybe it’s the serenity that comes with being on the water. Whatever the reason, we love lakes! And lucky for us, there are plenty of lakes to choose from when planning our next adventure. In fact, according to National Geographic, there are more than 117 million lakes in the world. While that number is impressive, it’s only a fraction of the total number of bodies of water on earth. So, what exactly makes a lake a lake? And where do the largest lakes in the world reside? Read on to find out!
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed inland body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of 371,000 km2 and a volume of 78,200 km3. It is in an endorheic basin (a basin without outflows) located between Europe and Asia. It is bounded by Kazakhstan to the northeast, Russia to the northwest, Azerbaijan to the west, Iran to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southeast. The Caspian Sea contains approximately 50% of the world's reserves of oil and gas.
Lake Superior
1. Lake Superior
With a surface area of 82,103 square kilometers, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It is also the second deepest lake in North America, with a maximum depth of 1,332 meters. Located on the border between Canada and the United States, Lake Superior is fed by more than 200 rivers and drains into the St. Lawrence River via the Great Lakes Waterway. The lake is home to several hundred islands, including Isle Royale, the largest island in Lake Superior.
Lake Victoria
Nestled between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa, covering 26,600 square miles. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and swimming, and its shores are home to many different species of animals.
Despite its size, Lake Victoria is shallower than many other large lakes, with an average depth of only about 40 feet. The deepest point in the lake is just over 200 feet.
Lake Victoria is fed by several rivers, including the White Nile. The lake is also the source of the Nile River, which flows north through Egypt and into the Mediterranean Sea.
Lake Huron
At nearly 600 miles long and 30,000 square miles in area, Lake Huron is the second largest of the Great Lakes. It is bordered by Michigan in the United States to the west and southwest, and Ontario in Canada to the north and east. The lake takes its name from the Huron people, who lived along its shores before European settlement.
Today, Lake Huron is a popular destination for boaters and fishermen. The clear waters make it ideal for swimming, sailing, and canoeing. In addition to its many recreational uses, the lake is also an important source of drinking water for millions of people.
Great Bear Lake
1. Great Bear Lake
Great Bear Lake is the largest lake entirely within Canada, and the fourth largest in North America. The lake is in the northwest corner of Canada, in the territory of Nunavut. It has an area of 31,153 km2 (12,028 sq mi) and a max depth of 446 m (1,463 ft).
Lake Michigan
1. Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. The other four Great Lakes are shared by the U.S. and Canada. Lake Michigan is the fifth-largest lake in the world by surface area, covering 22,400 square miles. It is also the second- deepest lake in the world, with a maximum depth of 923 feet.
More than 12 million people live along the shores of Lake Michigan, including residents of Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Gary, Indiana; and Muskegon, Michigan. The lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities.
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world. It is located in East Africa and is shared by four countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. The lake has a surface area of 32,600 square kilometers and an average depth of 1,470 meters. It is home to more than 1,000 species of fish, making it one of the most diverse freshwater ecosystems on Earth.
The majority of the lake’s shoreline is lined with rainforest, and its waters are clear and clean. Lake Tanganyika is a popular destination for diving, fishing, and wildlife watching. Its clear waters make it ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving, while its many fish species make it a popular spot for anglers. The lake’s shores are also home to a variety of wildlife, including chimpanzees, gorillas, elephants, and hippos.
Baikal
1. Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, containing an estimated 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water. It is also the world's deepest lake, with a depth of over 5,000 feet. Located in Siberia, Lake Baikal is around 25 million years old and is home to a unique ecosystem that includes many endemic species of plants and animals.
Myanmar
1. Myanmar
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a country located in Southeast Asia. The country is bordered by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. Myanmar covers an area of 676,578 square kilometers and has a population of over 52 million people.
The largest lake in Myanmar is Inle Lake. The lake covers an area of approximately 1165 square kilometers and has a maximum depth of 22 meters. Inle Lake is home to the Intha people who live in stilt houses on the lake. The lake is also home to many species of fish, birds, and vegetation.
Tourism is an important industry in Myanmar and Inle Lake is a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. Visitors to the lake can participate in activities such as boat tours, bird watching, and visiting the local markets.
Aral Sea
The Aral Sea is a large lake in Central Asia. It is located between Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the south. The Aral Sea is the world's fourth-largest inland sea, with an area of 68,000 square kilometers. The Aral Sea is divided into two basins: the North Aral Sea and the South Aral Sea. The North Aral Sea has an area of 42,000 square kilometers, while the South Aral Sea has an area of 26,000 square kilometers.
The North Aral Sea is shallow, with a depth of only 10 meters. The South Aral Sea is much deeper, with a depth of up to 50 meters. The Aral Sea has been shrinking since the 1960s due to irrigation projects in the surrounding countries. As a result, the water level in the Aral Sea has dropped by about 20 meters. The shrinking of the Aral Sea has had a devastating effect on the local environment and economy.