Just two months ago I returned from Lake Baikal. The beauty and endless surface of clean, fresh water conquers with its scope. I always thought that Baikal is the most big lake, but it turns out it is not. V North America there is a lake that is twice the size of Baikal.
The largest in area freshwater lake- Top. It is located on the border of Canada and is part of the Great Lakes system.
The dimensions of the Top are simply amazing:
- The area of the reservoir is 82.7 thousand square kilometers, which makes it the largest in area.
- The amount of water that the lake is filled with is 11.6 thousand cubic kilometers. It ranks third in terms of water volume.
- The maximum depth of the Upper is 406 meters.
- The lake stretches for 560 kilometers.
- The maximum width of the lake is 260 kilometers.
The lake is considered to be very dangerous. The weather on the lake is changeable, with strong gusts of wind. A real storm can play out, raising waves up to six meters. Hundreds of sunken ships found their rest at the bottom of the lake.
The water temperature at depth practically does not change, it is equal to four degrees Celsius. In winter, the shores are covered with a crust of ice, and middle part the lake does not freeze. The wealth of the Upper is a large number of fish. More than eighty species of fish are found here, among which there are especially valuable ones: trout, whitefish, salmon, sturgeon. Some species are specially bred in the lake.
The lake has become a favorite place summer vacation and tourism. There are hundreds of equipped campgrounds along the banks; there is a park with the same name, which includes several bays. Lake Superior is a beautiful creation of nature, created 4 thousand years ago.
By the word "lake" we all represent a rounded body of water surrounded by a coastline. There are various lakes: quiet and romantic, cold and muddy, deep and large, on which ships sail and the waves are raging no less than in the sea.
So, the hit parade of the largest lakes in the world:
1. The largest lake in the world by area is rightfully called Caspian... Due to its enormous size, it received the status of the sea. Its area is over 370 thousand square kilometers, but maximum depth small - 1025 meters. The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of Asia and Europe; it is surrounded by several countries at once - Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Russia. However, despite its large area and the presence of salt water, the Caspian is considered a lake. It is into this lake that the largest river in Europe, the Volga, flows into. The Caspian Sea brings quite good profit to the neighboring countries due to a large number gas and oil fields.
2.
The deepest, cleanest lake on the planet - Baikal.
Its length is 620 km and its width ranges from 31 to 75 kilometers. But the pride of Baikal is the underwater gorge Olkhon, where the depth is 1940 m. The volume of fresh water is 2300 cubic kilometers. Baikal is one of the most ancient fresh water bodies in the world. It was formed by the movement of tectonic plates. The coastal areas of the lake are distinguished by a unique variety of fauna and flora. 
Baikal is located in a hollow, it is surrounded on all sides by hills and mountains. West Coast- steep, rocky, eastern - more gentle, even, and in some places the mountains recede for several tens of kilometers. 
Baikal is covered with ice most year - from mid-January to early March, so ships sail here from May-June to September.
3.
Closes the top three of the hit parade Lake Superior, which is the deepest, largest and coldest of the Great Lakes. 
Also, concurrently, it occupies the status of the largest freshwater lake in the world. The depressions of the Upper Lake were developed in the southern part of the crystalline rocks of the Canadian Shield and were formed as a result of numerous tectonic movements, glacial and preglacial river erosion. This reservoir has repeatedly changed its shape over its entire existence. Northern part coastline the entire group of lakes is dissected, the shores and islands are steep and rocky, but extremely picturesque. The level of the Upper Lake is artificially regulated for energy and shipping.
4.
The fourth place is rightfully taken by the lake Victoria, which is located in East Africa and is the largest lake on this continent. 
Its waters wash the shores of three countries - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In 1858, the English traveler John Speke discovered Victoria and it was he who named it in honor of his queen. The lake covers an area of 68 thousand square kilometers, the length is 320 km, and the greatest width from end to end is 275 km. 
Victoria, like her predecessors, is navigable, and locals are intensively engaged in fishing. The northern part of the coast crosses the equator. The maximum depth of the lake is not very great - about 80 m, but it is considered to be quite deep. Victoria receives the bulk of its waters not from its tributaries, but from the rains.
5.
The fifth place is taken by the African sister of Baikal - Tanganyika.
This lake is very ancient in origin and very large. In depth and volume, Tanganyika follows immediately after its brother. It belongs to four states - Tanzania, Congo, Burundi and Zambia. Its depth is 1470 meters, and this is somewhere 650 meters below ocean level. 
The waters of Tanganyika are unusually clear and transparent, water surface it can be so quiet and smooth that the lake can be confused with a mirror. The fauna is extremely diverse: over four hundred live here different types fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and almost 300 species are not found anywhere else on our planet. But marine animals live only in the upper layers, the thickness of which is about 250 meters. 
6.
Is the fourth largest lake in the world. 
This body of water is located simultaneously in Canada and the United States. It also belongs to the North American Great Lakes group. Huron is located a little east of Michigan and is connected by the Minack Strait. Geographically, these lakes are two separate bodies of water, but from a hydrographic point of view, they formed a single system. 
Huron covers an area of 59.6 thousand square meters. km, the height of its surface above sea level is 176 m, and the depth in some places is 230 m. The name of this lake comes from an Indian tribe, and was introduced into everyday life by the French. Huron has the most big Island among the fresh water on the planet - Manitulin. 
7.
Michigan takes next place in our ranking. 
This reservoir, like Huron, belongs to the Great Lakes and is the only representative of this group that is located entirely in the United States. 
Michigan washes the shores of four states. The area of this reservoir is 57.75 thousand square kilometers. The length from coast to coast is over 500 km, and the width is about 190 kilometers, but in depth it is a shallow lake, in the very deep place about 280 m. Michigan is located 177 meters above sea level. The reservoir is covered with ice for only four months a year, so navigation on its territory is quite developed. The lake was discovered in 1634 by the Frenchman Jean Nicollet. 
8.
The eighth place of our hit parade belongs to To the Aral Sea.
This lake, closed with salty waters, is located in Central Asia on the border of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Since the 60s of the last century, the sea level has been rapidly decreasing due to the withdrawal of water from the rivers flowing into the lake for the purpose of irrigation. 
In fact, the reservoir split into two others - the Big (South) and Small (North) Aral Sea. Until that time, the lake was ranked fourth in the world. According to scientists, if the water intake is stopped, the level of the Aral Sea will be restored within 200 years. Square The aral sea about 34 thousand sq. m., the length between the farthest points is 429 km, and its depth is 71 m. 
9.
Big Bear lake
is located on the 9th place in the ranking of the largest lakes in the world. 
It is located at a level of 185 meters above sea level, between 118 - 123 degrees west longitude and 65 - 67 degrees north latitude, at the polar circle. Big Bear Lake is the largest in Canada and the fourth largest on the mainland. 
10.
The lake closes our rating of the largest lakes in the world located simultaneously in Mozambique, Malawi, Africa and Tanzania. 
Its area is small, compared with the previous reservoirs, and amounts to 30.8 thousand square meters. km. In the northern part, where the bottom lies below sea level, its depth reaches 706 m. Nyasa is rich in steep, rocky and high shores, especially in the northeast. Southern shores the lake is framed by a narrow strip of plain. The reservoir is extremely rich in fish, hippos, crocodiles, and water birds are also found here. 
Nyasa is sometimes called the homeland of aquarium fish. The lake is characterized by storms, surges, which greatly impede navigation, therefore, passengers are transported exclusively during the day. 
We got acquainted with a dozen lakes, which, to one degree or another, surprise and fascinate. Many - by their scale and depth, some - by flora and fauna. But in order for the lakes to continue to delight and entice, they need to be protected, protected and not to destroy the fragile nature of our planet.
© Inga Korneshova article written specifically for the site site 
Summer has passed, but I really want to remember it. Summer is a great time when you can relax on the lake with friends. But today we will not talk about ordinary lakes, but about the largest lakes in the world... There will also be photographs so that you can appreciate the beauty of our world with your own eyes.
A lake is a lake bowl filled with water, which has tributaries and is a component of the Earth's hydrosphere.
Malawi- the southernmost lake of the Rift Valley in Tanzania (East Africa). Contains 7% of the world's fresh water.
Occupied area - 29,000 km? 
9th place
Big Bear Lake- located in Canada. It was here that the first uranium deposits were discovered. The lake is covered with ice for 9 months a year, so the navigation period is very short.
Occupied area - 31,000 km? 
8th place
Baikal – the deepest lake in the world. Its greatest depth reaches 1642 meters. Contains the largest reserves of fresh water. Is also the most clean lake on the planet. The pride of Russia, Lake Baikal, is located in the south of Eastern Siberia.
Occupied area - 31,700 km? 
7th place
Tanganyika- located in Central Africa, on the territory of four states, is the longest lake in the world - its length is 650 kilometers.
Occupied area - 33,000 km? 
6th place
Aral lake (sea)- drainless salt Lake located on the territory Central Asia, on the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Aral Sea is the largest natural disaster. Due to the withdrawal of water, the lake ceases to exist, over 50 years its area has decreased from 69,000 km? - up to 13.5 km? Scientists agree that it is no longer possible to prevent drying out and by 2020 no one will see the Aral Sea.
Occupied area - 13.5 km? 
5th place
Michigan- is part of the Great Lakes system along with Upper and Huron. These three lakes are connected into a single system by straits, but they are considered to be separate lakes. Located in the north of the United States.
Occupied area - 57,750 km? 
4th place
Huron- the second largest among the Great Lakes, located on the border of the United States and Canada. Located east of Lake Michigan.
Occupied area - 57,000 km? 
3rd place
Victoria- the third largest lake in the world, located in East Africa on the territory of 3 states. The third in terms of fresh water reserves after the Upper and Baikal. Named after Queen Victoria by British explorer and discoverer John Speke.
Occupied area - 68,900 km? 
2nd place
Upper- located on the border of Canada and the United States, this lake is the largest in area fresh lake in the world. The original name was translated as "Big Water", then as "the highest lake", but later it was renamed with the proviso that it is the largest on the continent.
Occupied area - 82,700 km? 
1st place: The largest lake in the world:
Caspian Sea- though geographic name"Sea", the Caspian is the largest lake on Earth. It is called the sea because of the tectonic features of the oceanic type, but in essence it is a large closed lake, the water level of which is subject to constant fluctuations. The Caspian Sea is located on the border of Europe and Asia, has a different level of salinity, from 0.05% at the mouth of the Volga, to 13% in the south.
Occupied area - 371,000 km? 
1st place
Upper, North America
The youngest and the largest freshwater lake in the world... The water surface area is more than 82 thousand km². It is also the largest body of water in the Great Lakes system. The amount of water in it alone is equal to the water volume of the entire system - 11.5 km³. This is ten percent of the entire freshwater supply of our planet.
The volume of water in this lake is so great that it is possible to cover both American continents by thirty centimeters. Lake waters are replenished with 300 rivers and streams. The maximum depth of the reservoir is 400 meters.
In addition to its size, the lake is famous for its cleanliness. The water is always clear eight meters deep. The reservoir is so large that in opposite parts of it the sun rises and sets with a difference of thirty minutes.
2nd place 
Victoria, Africa
The largest African body of water and one of the largest lakes in the world. It was formed several hundred million years ago and spread over three modern states. Its area is more than 60 thousand km². A rare variety of fish is found here, which is as old as the lake. There are also crocodiles in the waters of Victoria.
3rd place 
Huron and Michigan, North America
Despite the fact that these are two different lakes, they form a single water system... Interconnected by a strait. The area of each reservoir exceeds 55 thousand km². There are islands in the lake basin where people live. Boats and ships ply the water surface.
4th place 
Tanganyika, Africa
This lake is inferior in area and volume of water to the previous reservoirs, but wins in length. It is considered the longest in the world. Tanganyika runs through the territory of four countries. The water surface area is 33 thousand km². The greatest depth reaches 1400 meters.
5th place 
Baikal, Russian Federation
It is considered the largest in terms of water volume. Its area is less than that of the Upper one, but it wins in depth. Baikal is considered one of the oldest lakes on the planet, located in the deepest cleft of the Earth. The average depth of Lake Baikal is about seven hundred meters. In the place where the break in the earth's crust is the largest, the depth of the reservoir exceeds one and a half thousand meters. The water surface area reaches 30 thousand km².
The lake is believed to have originated from tectonic plate shifts. It happened about thirty million years ago. Baikal is famous for its good drinking properties. Its waters are home to a species of tiny crustaceans that cleanse algae and bacteria. Rocky rocks also affect the watershed.
6th place 
Bearish, Canada
Located near the Arctic Circle, it has a beautiful landscape and clean water... There are two settlements on the shores of the lake. The reservoir is one of the five main lakes in North America.
7th place 
Nyasa, Africa
Another major african lake located in a relief depression. The water surface area reaches 30 thousand km². Aquarium fish are bred in this lake.
8th place 
Ladoga, Russian Federation
It is the largest freshwater lake in Europe. Its area is slightly more than 18 thousand km². It is also quite ancient, as it arose about nine million years ago. The bowl and the relief of the reservoir were formed due to the glacier that passed here.
9th place 
East, Antarctica
The main lake of Antarctica is located under a 4000 meter layer of ice. Its approximate area is 15 thousand km². There are versions that ancient living organisms that have survived to our times live in it.
10th place 
Titicaca, South America
The ten largest lakes are closed by the largest lake South America... Its area is 8.5 thousand km². It is also considered the highest lake, as it is located in the mountains.
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The largest freshwater lake in the world is located in North America, on the territory of two different states: the United States and Canada. This Lake Superior is one of the system of freshwater reservoirs called the Great Lakes. The five largest lakes in this system in terms of area: Upper, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, Erie. All lakes have a well-developed infrastructure that provides comfortable rest for an incredible number of tourists. These are some of the most popular lakes for travelers and vacationers around the world.
Lake Superior - the largest in area, and also has the greatest depth of all the Great. The border of the USA and Canada lies along its water area, in the north on the land adjacent to the water lies the province of Ontario, which is a territorial unit of Canada. And in the west and south, the Upper is surrounded by Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, which are part of the United States.
The size of the lake is amazing: its area is 82.7 thousand square meters. km. The volume of all water filling it is 11.6 thousand cubic meters. km. The deepest is 406 m.
It is not only the largest lake with fresh water but also one of the most dangerous. Due to the fact that on the north side of the lake shores are rocky, and on the south - low, indented, over its surface often blow strong winds that raise high waves. There are also several large islands on the territory of the lake.
The largest freshwater lake in the world: history
The largest lake in the world was formed by the melting of glaciers. The first people settled here 10 thousand years ago. Indian peoples appeared on its shores at the end of the first millennium. They gave it a name, which translated as "Big Water", so they were amazed by its area. When there was an active migration of Europeans to the North American continent, the French were the first to appear here. They named the lake the Highest. The British interpreted its name as saying that it is the largest freshwater lake in the world in North America. And only later, the lake began to be called the Upper.
Infrastructure, tourism
On the this moment glory the largest lake worldwide, good climate and beautiful nature attract many tourists to the lake. During the summer period sandy shores people rest, swim, sunbathe.
On the shores of the lake there are big cities and settlements: Duluth (Minnesota), Thunder Bay (Canada), Marquette (Michigan) and others.
The lake is home to fish that are caught by fishermen and industrialists: whitefish, sturgeon, trout and others. Navigable routes are laid along the lake's water area, which connect all the Great Lakes, and the large cities located on its shores also act as ports for ships.
Climate
Climate the largest lake in the world can be called localized maritime. It is characterized by moderate temperature, humidity, frequent fogs. Above the water, the temperature is between 0 and 13 degrees Celsius.
Water temperature
Water temperature in different time the year is changing. At a depth of almost all the time it is equal to 4 degrees Celsius. Storms often occur over a vast freshwater body of water. Waves can be up to 6 meters high. In winter, not all of the lake's surface area is covered with ice. In the center lakes of the world ice does not form - only near the coast.
The largest lake in different countries
Victoria
Lake Victoria is located on the African continent and is the second largest lake in the world by area. Its dimensions: area - 68 thousand square meters. km; the volume of all available water is 2760 cubic meters. km. However, this is far from the deepest lake of peace... Its depth does not exceed 84 m.
Huron
Another lake in the Great Lakes system is Huron. It is the third largest freshwater lake in the world. Its area is 59.6 thousand square meters. km. The maximum depth in his case is 229 meters. On its water area is the largest of all the islands in fresh water - Manitoulin. In general, the islands on this one of the most amazing in world of lakes- about 30 thousand.
Michigan
This lake is the only Great Lakes located on the territory of one state - the United States. It is the fourth largest freshwater lake in the world. The maximum depth is 281 m. The area is 58 thousand square meters. km. On the banks of this lakes of the world there are many places for elite recreation. And the most popular pastime of tourists is fishing.
Baikal
Lake Baikal is considered to be one of the most beautiful, cleanest lakes for tourism all over the world. Its nature, unique diverse fauna, some of which live only here, are of interest not only for travelers, but also for scientists from all over the world. In terms of size, Baikal ranks fifth among all fresh water lakes in the world. Its area is 31.7 thousand square meters. km. It is the most deep lake worldwide - the maximum depth is 1637 m.
It is also one of the most ancient and formed as a result of a tectonic fault. More than half of the lake's surface is always covered with ice. There are high mountain ranges along the banks.
