Have you ever thought about the lakes? Lakes are one of the forms of water reservoirs. Lake Water is surrounded by the boundaries all over. Lakes are present in every continent. The size of the lakes varies from small ponds to bigger seas. Lakes are found in different habitats like deserts, coastal areas, mountains and also plains. Depending on the water, lakes are classified into Freshwater lakes and Saltwater lakes. In this article we will see the Top 10 Largest lakes in the world:
Also read :Top 10 Fashion Magazines in the World 2024 for Style Inspiration
Overview Table:
| Rank | Lake | Area (km²) | Length (km) | Depth (m) | Volume (km³) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caspian Sea | 389,000 | 1,119 | 1,025 | 78,200 | Largest enclosed inland body of water by area, surrounded by Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Known for its significant depth and freshwater content. |
| 2 | Superior Lake | 82,100 | 616 | 406 | 12,070 | Largest freshwater lake in the world by area, holding 10% of the world’s surface freshwater. Features over 400 islands and abundant marine life. |
| 3 | Victoria Lake | 59,940 | 322 | 81 | 2,420 | Second-largest freshwater lake by area, located in East Africa and shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Notable for its numerous islands and rich biodiversity. |
| 4 | Huron Lake | 59,590 | 332 | 229 | 3,520 | Second-largest freshwater lake by surface area and third-largest by volume. Known for its numerous islands and shipwrecks, offering rich marine heritage. |
| 5 | Michigan Lake | 58,030 | 494 | 282 | 4,930 | Member of the Great Lakes system, known for its mysterious Michigan Triangle and preserved shipwrecks. Features the largest dunes and abundant Petoskey stones. |
| 6 | Tanganyika Lake | 32,900 | 676 | 1,470 | 18,750 | Second-largest, deepest, and oldest freshwater lake in the world. Renowned for its clarity and unique aquatic ecosystem, shared by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and Zambia. |
| 7 | Baikal Lake | 31,722 | 636 | 1,642 | 23,610 | World’s largest and deepest freshwater lake, known for its remarkable clarity and diverse flora and fauna. Located in Siberia, Russia, with Angara River as its only outlet. |
| 8 | Great Bear Lake | 31,153 | 373 | 446 | 2,234 | Largest lake in Canada and fourth largest in North America by volume. Features culturally rich Bear Island and stunning blue waters due to calcium carbonate. |
| 9 | Malawi Lake | 29,600 | 579 | 706 | 8,640 | Third-largest lake in Africa by surface area, known for its environmental and cultural significance, inhabited by diverse fish species. Popular for recreational activities. |
| 10 | Slave Lake | 27,200 | 480 | 614 | 1,115 | Second-largest lake in Canada, situated in the Northwest Territories. Fed by Hay River and Slave River, with Mackenzie River as its primary outflow. Renowned for its scenic beauty. |
Top 10 Largest Lakes in the World in 2024:-
1. Caspian Sea
Area – 389000 Sq.km
Length – 1119 Km
Volume – 78200 cu. km
Depth – 1025 mtr
You may wonder why a sea is added to this list. Even Though it is referred to as the sea, it is a lake. Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan surround the Caspian Sea as a boundary. It approximately spreads over 389000 square kilometers. It is not only known for its larger area, but also the depth of the Caspian Sea is around 1000 meters.
Also read: Top 10 Most Beautiful Islands in the World in 2024
2. Superior Lake
Area – 82100 Km²
Length – 616 Km
Advertisements
Volume – 12070 Km³
Depth – 406 mtrs
Lake Superior is known as largest freshwater lake in the world. It is located in North America. In terms of volume, Superior Lake stands next to Russia’s Baikal Lake. Here the interesting fact is Superior Lake has 10% of the total freshwater in the world itself. almost over 200 rivers running and merged into this lake. Lake Superior has over 400 Islands within itself. The beautiful lake has wonderful scenery with an area of around 80000 square kilometers.
3. Victoria Lake
Area: 59,940 km²
Length: 322 km
Volume: 2,420 km³
Depth: 81 mtr
In terms of surface area Victoria Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in the world. When it comes to volume, Victoria Lake is the third-largest freshwater lake in the world. It is located in East Africa. The three nations Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania share the boundary with this lake. It consists of 1000 islands of Various sizes. John Henning was the man who first identified the lake named in memory of Queen Victoria of England.
4. Huron Lake
Area: 59,590 km²
Length: 332 km
Depth: 229 mtr
Volume: 3,520 km³
According to the surface area, Huron Lake stands second largest and in terms of volume Huron Lake stands Third largest lake in the world. It has around 3800 miles of shoreline which is larger than any other lake. You can find numerous sunken ships here. Huron Lake has around 30000 islands. The Fathom Five National Marine Park has 22 shipwrecks. We can say this place is the home of shipwrecks.
5. Michigan Lake
Area: 58,030 km²
Length: 494 km
Volume: 4,930 km³
Depth: 282 mtr
Michigan Lake spreads all over the United States of America. It is located in the Northeastern region. Michigan Lake is a member of the Great Lake System. Michigan Lake has a place called Michigan Triangle, A mysterious place where boat disappearance happens. It is the home of the largest dunes. You can find a lot of preserved shipwrecks here. You can find Petoskey stones all over the shoreline.
6. Tanganyika Lake
Area: 32,900 km²
Length: 676 km
Depth: 1,470 mtr
Volume: 18,750 km³
It is one of the great lakes in Africa. Next to the lake Baikal, It is the second biggest lake. Also stands as the second largest, deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world. 46% of the total area is coming in Tanzania. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and Zambia also hold the area of it. The unique thing about this lake is you can see up to 20 meters in depth.
7. Baikal Lake
Area: 31,722 km²
Length: 636 km²
Depth: 1,642 mtr
Volume: 23,610 km³
The world’s biggest freshwater lake is Baikal. It is located in Siberia, Russia. Baikal is also the oldest lake which originated 20 – 25 million years ago. The water is so clear that you can see up to 40 meters in good condition. The lake has a shoreline of approximately 2100 km. Around 300 rivers flow into this lake. But Angara is the only outlet of water.
8. Great Bear Lake
Area: 31,153 km²
Length: 373 km
Depth: 446 mtr
Volume: 2,234 km³
The largest lake in Canada and the Fourth largest lake in terms of volume in North America. The culturally rich, environmentally significant Bear Island is there. It is home to more indigenous tribes.
The lake looks so blue because of the presence of calcium carbonate substances. It is also called ‘ The Caribbean of the Rockies’. It is popular for its natural beauty.
9. Malawi Lake
Area: 29,600 km²
Length: 579 km
Depth: 706 mtr
Volume: 8,640 km³
Malawi Lake is the ninth-largest lake in the world. The people of Tanzania called it Lake Nayasa and the people of Mozambique called it Lago Niassa. It is the third-largest lake in Africa in terms of surface area. It is a beautiful, eye-catching lake. Also an environmentally and culturally significant lake. Malawi Lake is inhabited by a variety of rare fishes. It is an ideal place for recreational purposes.
10. Slave Lake
Area: 27,200 km²
Length: 480 km
Depth: 614 mtr
Volume: 1,115 km³
Slave Lake is the second-largest lake in Canada. Slave Lake is situated in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The primary inflows into the lake are the Hay River and the slave river. The primary outflow from the lake is the Mackenzie River.
FAQs:
- What is the largest lake in the world by area?
- The Caspian Sea holds the title of the largest lake in the world by area, spanning approximately 389,000 square kilometers.
- Which lake is the largest freshwater lake by surface area?
- Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake by surface area, covering approximately 82,100 square kilometers.
- What is the second-largest freshwater lake in terms of surface area?
- Lake Victoria is the second-largest freshwater lake by surface area, spanning about 59,940 square kilometers.
- Which lake in North America has the largest volume of water?
- Lake Superior holds the title of the lake with the largest volume of water in North America, with approximately 12,070 cubic kilometers.
- Which lake is known for its mysterious Michigan Triangle?
- Lake Michigan is known for the mysterious Michigan Triangle, an area where numerous ship disappearances have occurred.
- Where is the deepest freshwater lake located?
- Baikal Lake in Siberia, Russia, is the deepest freshwater lake, with a maximum depth of approximately 1,642 meters.
- What is the third-largest lake in Africa by surface area?
- Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, is the third-largest lake in Africa by surface area, covering approximately 29,600 square kilometers.
- Which lake is the largest in Canada and fourth largest in North America by volume?
- Great Bear Lake is the largest lake in Canada and the fourth largest in North America by volume, with approximately 2,234 cubic kilometers of water.
- Where is Slave Lake located, and what makes it renowned?
- Slave Lake is situated in the Northwest Territories of Canada and is renowned for its scenic beauty and stunning blue waters due to calcium carbonate.
- What is the significance of Tanganyika Lake in Africa?
- Tanganyika Lake is significant as the second-largest, deepest, and oldest freshwater lake in the world, renowned for its clarity and unique aquatic ecosystem.
