There are more than two million freshwater and salt lakes in Russia. The largest lakes in the European part of the country are Ladoga (17.87 thousand km2) and Onega (9.72 thousand km2) in the north-west, Lake Peipsi-Pskov (3.55 thousand km2) on the Estonian border, as well as the Rybinsk reservoir ( 4.58 thousand km²) on the Volga to the north of Moscow.

Narrow lakes from 160 to 320 km in length are located behind dams on the Don, Volga and Kama. In Siberia, similar artificial lakes are located on the upper Yenisei and its tributary, the Angara, where the Bratsk reservoir, 570 km long, is one of the largest in the world. But they are all insignificant compared to Lake Baikal, the largest reservoir fresh water on the planet. With a length of 636 km and an average width of 50 km, the surface area of ​​Lake Baikal is 31.72 thousand km², and the maximum depth is 1642 m.

There are also countless smaller lakes located mainly in the poorly drained lowlands of the Russian and West Siberian plains, especially in the more northern regions. Some of them reach significant sizes, in particular, Lake Beloye (1.29 thousand km2), Topozero (0.98 thousand km2), Vygozero (0.56 thousand km2) and Lake Ilmen (0.98 thousand km2) on the territory of the European the north-west of the country, and Lake Chany (1.4-2 thousand km²) in the south-west of Siberia.

List of the largest lakes in Russia

We present to your attention the 10 largest lakes in the Russian Federation with a description, photo and geographical location on the map of the country.

Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland water body (area: 371 thousand km²). It is called the sea, not the lake, since the ancient Romans who arrived in this region found that its water was salty and named the sea after the Caspian tribes who lived near the lake's coast. The Caspian Sea is bordered by the following five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Iran. The main river the lake is fed by the Volga, which provides about 80% of the inflow of water to the Caspian Sea, and the remaining 20% ​​comes from other smaller rivers.

The Caspian Sea is rich in oil and natural gas deposits, but the production of these is under development. The mining process is also hampered by the problem of dividing the natural resources of the lake between the five countries bordering it. The Caspian Sea and the deltas of the rivers flowing into it are inhabited by about 160 species and subspecies of fish from 60 genera. About 62% of the species are endemic.

Baikal

Baikal is the deepest (1642 m), the oldest (25-35 million years) and the most voluminous (23.6 thousand km³) of all lakes in the world; it is a superstar reservoir in the field of hydrology, geology, ecology and history. Today Lake Baikal contains about 20 percent of fresh water on the Earth's surface, which is comparable in volume to the entire Amazon River basin. Baikal has 27 islands, including one more than 70 km long (Olkhon Island).

More than 1,500 animal species inhabit the shores of the lake, 80% of which are not found anywhere else on the planet. The most famous representative of the Baikal fauna is the seal, which lives exclusively in fresh water. According to some reports, the population of seals is about 100,000 individuals. Also near the lake there are such large predators as wolves, which occupy the upper positions of the Siberian food chain, feeding on deer, birds, rodents and smaller predators.

Ladoga lake

Ladoga lake- the biggest freshwater lake Europe, located in northwestern Russia, 40 km east of St. Petersburg. The area of ​​the lake is 17.87 thousand km², the volume is 838 km³, and the maximum depth at a point west of the island of Valaam it reaches 230 m.

The depression of the lake appeared under the influence of glaciers. The northern shores are mostly high and rocky, and are also divided by deep, ice-covered bays. Southern shores have many sandy or rocky beaches, mostly low, slightly concave, overgrown with willow and alder. In some places there are ancient coastal embankments covered with pine trees. The largest tributaries are the Volkhov, Svir and Vuoksa rivers.

Found in the lake 48 different types fish, of which the most common are roach, carp, bream, pike perch, perch and smelt. Of the 48 species, 25 are of commercial importance and 11 are in the important commercial fish category.

Lake Ladoga also serves as a key stopover point for migratory birds of the North Atlantic Flyway, which usually mark the arrival of spring.

Lake Onega

Lake Onega is the second largest lake in Europe, located in the northwest of the European part of Russia, between Lake Ladoga and the White Sea. It covers an area of ​​9.72 thousand km², 248 km in length and up to 83 km in width. The greatest depth is about 127 m.

The basin of the lake was formed by the movement of the earth's crust and glaciers. The high rocky shores in the north and northwest are composed of layered granite and are covered with forest. There are deep bays in Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga and Pevenets. The southern shores are narrow, sandy, often swampy or flooded. Lake Onega has about 1,650 islands, covering a total of about 260 km², usually in the northern and northwestern bays.

The lake is home to over 40 species of fish, including vendace (a small member of the salmon family), smelt, burbot bream, pike, perch, roach and salmon. Many types of fish have significant economic value.

Taimyr

Taimyr is the second (after Baikal) largest lake in the Asian part of Russia, located in the central regions of the Taimyr Peninsula. It is located south of the Byrranga mountains, in the zone.

The lake and tundra zone is popular place for birds such as geese, swans, ducks, Upland Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon and Snowy Owls. Lake Taimyr is home to a large number of fish, including grayling, muksun, char and whitefish. Although the area is relatively remote, there is still a depletion of stocks of certain commercial fish species.

Taimyr is famous for the largest population of reindeer in Eurasia. Also in this region are found such animals as argali, arctic fox, wolf and lemmings. In 1975 the area was re-entered.

The lake and its surroundings have been included in the Taimyr nature reserve since 1983. Scientists have discovered plutonium in the sediments of the lake, which supposedly entered Taimyr through wind-carried radioactive particles after nuclear tests held on Novaya Zemlya during the Cold War.

Hanka

Lake Khanka has an area of ​​4 thousand km², of which approximately 97% is located in Russia. The maximum depth of the lake is 10.6 m, and the average volume is 18.3 km². The lake is fed by 23 rivers, 8 of which are in China, and the rest in the Russian Federation. The only outflow is the Sungacha River, which flows eastward to the Ussuri River, which forms the international border, and rushes northward, where it flows into the Amur River.

Khanka is famous as the home of the highest variety of birds in the entire temperate zone of Eurasia. At least 327 species of nesting, wintering and migratory birds were observed in the lake area.

Lake Peipsi-Pskov

Lake Peipsi-Pskov is the largest transboundary and the fifth (after Ladoga, Onega, Swedish Venern and Finnish Saimaa) largest lake in Europe, located on the border between Estonia and Russia. It occupies 3.6% of the total area of ​​the Baltic Sea basin. A total of 30 islands are located on Lake Peipsi, and another 40 in the Velikaya River delta. Most of them rise only 1-2 m above the water level and often suffer from floods.

About 54 species of coastal aquatic plants grow in the basin of Lake Peipsi-Pskov, including reed, calamus, reeds and various grasses. The waters of the lake are inhabited by 42 species of fish, such as smelt, vendace, bream, perch, pike, roach and whitefish. Wetlands serve important places nesting and feeding grounds for migratory birds such as swans, geese and ducks that migrate from Of the White Sea To Baltic Sea... The region is home to one of the largest swallow colonies in Estonia.

Ubsu-Nur

Ubsu-Nur is the largest lake in Mongolia in terms of surface area (3.35 thousand km²), as well as the largest salt lake in the country. The Ubsu-Nur basin is one of the most important biodiversity poles in Eurasia. Though most of the lake is located in Mongolia, its northeastern shores are located in the Tyva Republic of the Russian Federation.

The lake is shallow, very salty, and is the remnant of a large sea that existed several thousand years ago. The basin covers an area of ​​about 70 thousand km² and is one of the best preserved natural steppe landscapes on the continent. It is here that the northernmost part of the desert and the southernmost part of the tundra meet.

Reed and freshwater river deltas serve as resting and nesting sites for numerous migratory birds. More than 220 bird species can be found around the lake, including the black stork, osprey, white-tailed eagle, whooper and black-headed gull. About 29 different fish species live in the waters of the lake, one of which is fit for human consumption. Mountain region serves as home to Mongolian gerbils, wild sheep and Siberian ibex.

Vats

Although Lake Chany is not well known outside Siberia, it is one of the largest lakes in the country. Vats is not deep lake with salty and constantly fluctuating water, the level of which can vary from season to season and from year to year. The lands of the lake basin serve as pastures for cattle.

Vats play an important role in the fisheries industry in the region. The most common species are silver carp, carp, ide, and perch. Recently, there has been a tendency for the depletion of fish stocks in the lake.

Lake White

By area, Beloye is the second (after Onega) natural lake Vologda region, and the third (after the Rybinsk reservoir). It is one of the ten largest natural lakes in Europe. The lake has a relatively circular shape with a diameter of 46 km. Its area is 1.29 thousand km², and the basin area is about 14 thousand km².

The lake is famous for its fish stocks, the most famous delicacy is Belozersky smelt. The food supply and high oxygen levels create favorable conditions for the life of many species. The waters of the lake are widespread the following types fish: perch, pike, bream, ruff, sabrefish, roach, bleak, burbot, chub, rudd, whitefish, ide, tench, asp, dace and gudgeon).

Table of the 10 largest lakes in Russia

Water has always acted on a person not only bewitching, but also soothing. People came to her and talked about their sorrows, in her calm waters they found special peace and harmony. That is why the numerous lakes of Russia are so remarkable!

The beauty and charm of the water surface

The calm mirror-like surface is stagnant water surrounded on all sides by the banks. It is also a place of admiration, aesthetic pleasure. What are lakes like? They can be deep (sometimes deeper than the seas) and small, fresh and salty, large in area and small, of volcanic, tectonic, moraine origin. Their ages also vary. There are no ugly or boring ones, the map shows that there are an infinite number of them, and each of them is beautiful and perfect in its own way.

Surely any traveler who has visited this country at least once, or a resident, will find his favorite or even sacred lake... In any case, a visit to them is highly recommended. Once you see Lake Baikal or Lake Teletskoye, you will fall in love with it once and for all! This is the place of power that fills with energy after working years, stifling city air and long social contact. It is important not only to contemplate beauty with awe, but also to protect it.

Deep abyss of Baikal

What is the most of Russia? Of course, this is a mysterious and unique Baikal! Even any schoolboy has heard of him. This is just a magical and unique place with pure-pre clean water which always has a deep blue tint. If there is not a cloud in the sky, then the surface of the water becomes simply emerald! The deep lake is of high ecological value and is included in the UNESCO list. The water here is fresh, and the depth reaches 1642 meters, which makes it possible to compare it with the depths of the Arctic Ocean (depth 1220 meters). If suddenly there is not left, then the deepest lake in Russia will be able to quench the thirst of the population of the whole world for 50 years, since it makes up a fifth of all reserves.

It is considered the oldest lake. Think for yourself - its age is 25 million years! Its depth is due to a large crack in the earth's crust. The continental depression is gradually increasing. Olkhon Island, which stretches for 71 kilometers, remains the largest here. It divides Baikal into Small ( Eastern) and the Big Sea (western part).

The waters here are crystal clear, so you can see 40 meters deep, which allows you to distinguish the local deep-sea inhabitants. The water temperature is usually around +8 degrees Celsius. Baikal is also famous for its hot springs. Two large cities that are located near its waters are Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude. It is not entirely serene near the calm surface of the lake. Earthquakes, small and large, happen here all the time.

Pearl of Karelia - Lake Onega

Baikal is the most a nice place, but there are also other lakes of Russia that captivate travelers with their mystery. Onega belongs to them. They even began to call it the sea, since it is the second largest in Europe after Ladoga. The length of the lake is 245 kilometers, the greatest depth is 130 meters. Since the time of the distant ice age, many local inhabitants have remained here - fish and amphibians. This place is a treasure trove for fishing enthusiasts. The northern area is ideal for valuable fish species: trout, salmon, sterlet.

Lake Peipsi - the greatness of the dunes

Where is another of the largest and most beautiful lakes? In the northern regions, like most others. Lake Peipsi is located near Latvia and Estonia. It separates these two countries from the Pskov region. The longest is 90 kilometers and the width is 47 kilometers. The lake is constantly replenished with water from many rivers and large streams. What is remarkable about the shores of Lake Peipsi from the northern side? They are a continuous chain of dunes that stretch into the distance. Their height is quite impressive - about eight, and in some places all 10 meters. Closer to the west, the dunes become flatter. The south side is Finnish granite boulders.

There is also an islet lost in the brilliant water surface. It is located in the south of the lake and has the name "Zhelachek" ("Mezha"). There are also two small villages on it.

The western part of Lake Peipsi is no less interesting for travelers. The shores in this area have their own unique outlines. Calm bays are combined with steep headlands and gentle coastline. These capes are so high that they reach 24 meters. The depth of the lake is 7.5 meters. What is the bottom? It consists mainly of sand, clayey and sandy silt. This is not such a crystal clear body of water as Baikal or Alp lakes, from an aesthetic point of view. Silty precipitation makes the water cloudy. This place also did not go unnoticed by fishermen. The vast waters are rich in a variety of fish. There are burbot, pike perch, salmon and others.

Great Ladoga

How beautiful are the names of the lakes of Russia! For example, the one that captivates us with the beauty of the nature of the North and became a savior during the Second World War. The northern shores are dotted with labyrinths of straits. There are even islands and trees growing on them. The bottom topography systematically increases from the south (51 meters) to the north (230 meters deep).

There are many islets here, which are frozen in the form of sheer bizarre rocks, their height reaches 70 meters. The eastern coast is not as rugged as the western one, where you can find forests and bushes. Lake Ladoga is fed by the waters of thirty-two rivers. The Neva River flows out of it in a full-flowing stream, the length of which reaches 74 kilometers.

By the way, a large number of rainy days are observed here, although the greatest amount of precipitation occurs in the warm season. The winds are quite strong, which leads to roughness on the lake. Wave heights can be up to four meters. The water temperature in the warm season is kept at around +8 degrees Celsius.

Caspian Sea-Lake

This is not only the largest lake in the world, but also quite deep. Although scientifically it is considered to be the sea. The deep ones are mysterious in their own way and are interesting for the traveler. In the northern part, the depth is shallow - only 5 meters. In the middle it is already getting deeper - 20 meters. The southern part of the Caspian Sea is the deepest - it reaches 1025.

This sea or lake is unevenly salty. In places where the mouths of the river are located, the water is more fresh. The water level in the lake is 25 meters below the ocean. On the coast there are such large cities as Baku, Makhachkala. The climate is sharply continental, so temperatures are low in winter and quite high in summer. The large Urals and Volga flow into the Caspian Sea.

Salt lake Chany

There are also salt lakes in Russia, for example Chany. It spreads out in Novosibirsk region and refers to drainless. The word "vats" in translation from the Turkic means "big vessel". Already in October, the lake is covered with ice and thaws only in May. Although its waters in summer warm up to 28 degrees Celsius. The lake area always fluctuates and reaches 2000 square meters. It is not very deep - only 2 meters is the average. On the banks, which are very indented, there are thickets of reeds, reeds, various bushes and sedges.

What else is remarkable about Lake Chany? On the water surface, you can count up to 70 islets, some of them are not only large, but also represent amazing landscapes, have a great variety of plants and rare species of animals. Salt lakes of Russia differ in varying degrees of salinity. Vats are lightly salted, as the main food is melted snow. The weather on the lake is a reflection of the continental climate. In winter, the snow cover can be up to 30 cm in height.

For tourists, there are many recreation centers, there are corners where you can fish. Those who prefer boating should be careful - there is often a storm here. Chany is also considered a mysterious, and according to some stories, anomalous place. There is a legend that a strange animal of huge size is found here, which harms people and livestock.

- volcanic beauty

This beautiful creation of nature is located in the very south of the Kamchatka Peninsula and is considered freshwater. The maximum depth reaches 306 meters, so it can be safely attributed to deep-water. Some of the islands that can be found on the surface are peculiar volcanic domes that have risen from the bottom as a result of squeezing out magma.

Such lakes on the territory of Russia are of particular value, therefore the Kuril Lake is included in the UNESCO heritage list. There are even those called "Kuril Springs". Their temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius.

Cold inaccessibility of Lake Taimyr

This unique lake in area can be compared only with Baikal. It is considered the northernmost on the planet. What unusual things can a traveler find here? Characterized not only by cold beauty and grandeur, but also by the fact that here the water is constantly changing its level. The lake is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory beyond the Arctic Circle on the peninsula of the same name in the tundra.

We can say that local waters are covered with ice all year round. The deepest is 26 meters. The water temperature in the summer does not rise above 8 degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops to zero. The ice can be up to three meters thick. Oddly enough, there are fish in the waters of Taimyr - whitefish, muksun, boil, vendace.

Moraine lakes of Russia. Seliger

Forests, swamps, cozy coves - all this is the surrounding area of ​​Lake Seliger. It is located in the Tver and Novgorod regions. The landscapes in this area are predominantly hilly, and in some places plains predominate. The natural beaches contrast with the steep banks covered with pine trees. There are about 160 medium and small islets on the lake. The surface is covered with ice during the cold season and is opened only in May. All lakes in Russia are accompanied by unique vegetation. Seliger has not only coniferous trees, but also oaks, bird cherry, mountain ash.

What are moraine lakes in general? These are very picturesque corners of nature, their amazing beauty and unusual origin are simply amazing. Moraine-type lakes in Russia are the so-called "depressions" or "closed basins", which appeared many years ago as a result of the melting of blocks of ice, therefore they are also called "glacial" lakes. They can be found only in the north and northwest of Russia. They are rarely large and deep. Usually their average depth does not exceed 10 meters, the banks are usually heavily indented. The largest of those reservoirs that can be attributed to moraine are Chudsko-Pskovskoe, Seliger, Ilmen, once called the Slovenian Sea by the Slavs.

Conclusion

As we can see, Russia is a land of lakes that will surely please even the most sophisticated traveler.

This list of 50 stunningly beautiful lakes is sure to add knowledge and broaden your horizons! This is a list of the most famous lakes in the world, but some may not be familiar to you.

Lake Victoria
69,485 km2 (26,828 sq mi). The greatest lake in Africa. It is a border lake, and.

Lake Tanganyika - Lake Tanganyika
32,893 km2 (12,700 sq mi). The lake is not only the 6th largest lake in the world, but it is also the second deepest lake in the world at 1,470 m (4,820 ft) and the longest lake in the world at 676 km (420 mi). Lake Tanganyika is divided between four countries - Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Zambia.

Moraine Lake, Canada - Moraine Lake

Lake Pinatubo, Philippines - Lake Pinatubo
Formed only recently (in 1991) after the monsoon, this crater lake is at the top of Mount Pinatubo, active volcano in the Philippines.

Lake Annette, Canada - Lake Annette

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia - Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
Located 4,200 meters above sea level in southwestern Bolivia, Laguna Colorada gets its bright red color from pigment deposits and algae beneath its surface. It is an extremely shallow lake with an average depth of 50 cm.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia /
Located in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes are actually 16 separate bodies of water, and are divided into upper and lower basins of natural dams made of moss and algae.

Spotted Lake, Canada
In Osoyoos, British Columbia, a natural phenomenon, with an area of ​​38 acres - a lake with one of the highest concentrations of minerals in the world.

Dead Sea, Jordan /
The name can be misleading - in fact, it is the world's deepest hyper-mineralized lake. It has a salt concentration 8 times that of the ocean, so it is extremely difficult to drown in it.

Sheosar Lake, Pakistan
Lake Deosai National Park, in the alpine steppe of the Tibetan Highlands.

Riffelsee, Switzerland
The Riffelsee is an incredible view of the mirrored surface with the Matterhorn in the background.

Peyto Lake, Canada
Peyto Lake is a glacial lake in the Banff National Park of the Canadian Rockies. Billa Peyto belongs to the category of colored lakes. The lake has a bright turquoise color, due to a large number icy mountain flour sliding into the lake.

Lake Solbjornvannet, Norway

Mirror Lake, California - Mirror Lake - a small, seasonal lake near Tenaya Creek Canyon in US National Park, Yosemite.

New Zealand also has Mirror Lake, which has amazing reflection properties like a mirror. It is one of the great lakes of Asia: Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan), Uhua-Hai (China), Inle (Myanmar), Biwa (Japan), Tonle Sap (Cambodia) and Lake Toba in Sumatra (Indonesia).

Horseshoe Lake, Canada - Horseshoe Lake

Emerald lake, Canada - Emerald Lake

Lake Plastiras, Greece - Lake Plastiras, Greece
The artificial lake in Greece holds up to 400 million cubic liters of fresh water and is one of the highest in Europe.

Mystic Lake, Montana - Mystic Lake
The largest lake in the Beartooth Mountains Montana offers several world famous hiking trails and incredible views.

Yamdrok Tso lake, Tibet - Yamdrok Tso Lake
This lake in Tibet has over 72 km of peaks and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Lake Malawi, Tanzania - Lake Malawi / Malawi and Mozambique 30,044 km2 (11,600 sq mi). The lake is divided between Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. The second deepest lake in Africa, this tropical reservoir has more fish species than any other lake on Earth.

Lake Louise, Canada - Lake Louise, Canada

Lake Isabella, Colorado - Lake Isabelle, Colorado
A popular tourist destination, Lake Isabelle offers incredible views of the Navajo and Apache peaks.

Crater Lake, Oregon - Crater Lake, Oregon

Barclay Lake, Washington - Barclay Lake, Washinton

Lake Mono, California - Mono Lake
This shallow lake of California's Mono County Desert was formed over 760,000 years ago and has a very similar ecosystem to the Colorada Lagoon.

Ancient underground lake Reed flute, China - Reed Flute Cave. This is a limestone cave in Guangxi, China. More than 180 million years old. Since the 1940s, it has become famous all over the world because of the multi-colored caves around the lake.

Loch Ree lake(Loch RI or Loch Ríbh) - the geographical center of Ireland, midlands. Loch Rea is the second largest lake on the Shannon River after Loch Derg. The other two major lakes are Loch Allen to the north, and Loch Derg to the south. Leinster Province in County Roscommon Lake is popular for Irish monster legends.

Loch Ness(Loch Ness, Scotland) Scotland. Loch Ness (Gaelic: Loch Nish) is the second largest Scottish lake in terms of surface area after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest lake in Scotland in terms of water volume. The deep, freshwater Loch in Scotland lies approximately 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Inverness. The lake is famous for its Loch Ness Monster. Tourists are also interested in Urquart Castle to the east of Drumnadrochit, lighthouses at Lochend (Bona Lighthouse) and Fort Augusta.

Okanagan lake Is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. The lake is 135 km long and 4 - 5 km wide. His interesting feature the legend about the Demon of Lake Ogopogo or Naitaka, and the famous terraces that are formed due to the periodic decline of the predecessor, glacial lake Penticton. The maximum depth of the lake is 232 m in the area of ​​Grant Island (called by the locals "Whiskey Island" or "Seagull Island")

Lake Labynkyr(Labynkyr Lake), Yakutia
This mystical lake is located near the cold pole in the territory of Oymyakon uluss. Legends say that a monster lives deep in the water. It attacks dogs, deer and even people. History tells how one day a monster destroyed a caravan of Evens.

Lake Kanas(pinyin: Kanasi Hu) crescent-shaped lake in Altai prefecture of Xinjiang province, China. The lake is located in a valley in the Altai mountains, on the border with Mongolia and. The lake was formed 200,000 years ago during the Quaternary as a result of the movement of the glacier. The Kanas River, flowing out of the lake, merges with the Hemu River, forming the Burkin River, which itself is a tributary of the Irtysh River. Ethnic Tuvans and Kazakhs live in the Kanas Valley.

Lake Kok-Kol(Kok-Kol lake) Mysterious lake in Zhambyl region, Kazakhstan. Occasionally mysterious lake makes some strange sounds, and sometimes you can see signs of ripples, as if a huge creature is drifting inside the lake. Local residents believe that the lake is bottomless. Indeed, when hydrographers measured its depth, they could not find the bottom. But, they found many channels. This explains the constant water level, despite the fact that nothing flows from the lake or flows into it.

Aral Sea(Kazakh: Aral Tengis; Mongolian: Aral tengis; Tajik: Baҳri Aral; Persian: دریای خوارزم Daryâ-you Khârazm) was a drainless lake between Kazakhstan in the north and Uzbekistan in the south. The name translates roughly as "sea of ​​islands" (more than 1100 islands were scattered on its waters). The catchment area covers parts of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Previously one of the four largest lakes in the world with an area of ​​68,000 km2 (26,300 sq mi), the Aral Sea has been steadily declining since 1960 after the rivers that fed the lake were redirected through Soviet irrigation projects. The drying up of the Aral Sea is called "one of the worst ecological disasters on the planet"

Lake Storshen(Swedish pronunciation: Storsjön, lit. “Great Lake”) is the fifth largest lake in Sweden, located in the province of Jamtland (Jämtland). The Indalsälven river flows from Storsjön and the lake contains main island Frösön. The town of Östersund is located on its eastern bank, opposite Frösön. Storshen is considered the birthplace of the sea creatures Storsjöodjuret.

Lake Champlain- Lake Champlain lies directly on Burlington, the border between the United States and Canada. At the northern tip is the historically interesting Fort Ticonderogo. Lake Champlain offers cruises and ferries to Vermont and New York.

Lake Natron is a salt and soda lake in the Arusha region of northern Tanzania. The lake is located near the Kenyan border in the eastern rift East African branch of an international wetland. Lake Natron, a basin of the Ramsar Valley, is fed primarily by rivers in central Kenya and hot springs. The unusual color of the water is created by cyanobacteria. Due to the high fumes, salt-loving microorganisms begin to thrive.

Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake North America known for its cobalt blue waters and surrounding snow-capped peaks. Lake Tahoe is the state border between the states of California and Nevada, and popular resort Sierra Nevada.

Lake Lucerne- among the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, it stands out with an amazing panorama of the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, such as the Eiger and Jungfrau. There are old steamers on the lake that have been operating here since the 1800s. In the spring, the Lake Lucerne pool is fed by the Mineralbad streams from the top of Mount Riga.

Dove lake(Dove Lake) in Tasmania, Australia. Serene Dove Lake is a national park attraction near Cradle Mountain. This lake is the home of the legendary Tasmanian Devil.

Lake Como, Italy - just 45 minutes from bustling Milan. Lake Como is one of the favorite holiday destinations of the rich and famous.

Lake Bled Is one of the most charming landmarks of the Old Continent. Lake Bled of the Julian Alps (Slovenian: Bled, German: Veldes) is located in Slovenia, near the borders with Italy and Austria.

Lake Synevyr- the largest and most famous lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians. The lake is located in the Gorgany mountain range, in the upper reaches of the Terebli River. The lake has its a beautiful legend about lovers.

The list of the most famous lakes in the world can rightfully include unnamed:

• Lake Ohrid in the Balkan Mountains (located between the Republic of Macedonia and Albania)
• Saimaa lake (Finland)
• Ladoga / Onega / Chudskoe (Russia)
• Balaton (Hungary)
• Annecy (France)
• Garda / Iseo (Italy)
• Wastwater (England)
• Sogne (Norway)
• Killarney (Ireland)
• Hallstattersee (Austria)
• Königsee / Obersee (Germany)
• Jokulsadlon (Iceland)
• Laguna Verde (Bolivia)
• Lençóis Maranhenses (Brazil)
• Nakuru (Kenya)
• Tekapo (New Zealand)
• Lagunas Altiplánicas (Chile)
• Laguna Bacalar (Mexico) and many others.

The most big lake in the world- Caspian Sea.

The Caspian Sea tops the rating - despite the fact that it is called the sea, in fact it is the largest closed lake on the planet. It is located at the junction of Europe and Asia, and is called the sea only because of its size. The Caspian Sea is a closed lake, and the water in it is salty, from 0.05 ‰ near the mouth of the Volga to 11-13 in the southeast.

The Caspian Sea is similar in shape to the Latin letter S, its length from north to south is about 1200 kilometers, from west to east - from 195 to 435 kilometers, on average 310-320 kilometers.

The Caspian Sea is conventionally divided by physical and geographical conditions into 3 parts - the North Caspian, the Middle Caspian and the South Caspian. The conditional border between the North and Middle Caspian runs along the line Chechen (island) - Tyub-Karagan Cape, between the Middle and South Caspian - along the line Zhiloy (island) - Gan-Gulu (cape). Northern, Middle and South Caspian makes up respectively 25, 36, 39 percent of the total area of ​​the Caspian Sea.

The length of the coastline of the Caspian Sea is estimated at about 6,500 - 6,700 kilometers, with islands up to 7,000 kilometers. The shores of the Caspian Sea in most of its territory are low and smooth. In the northern part, the coastline is cut by water channels and islands of the Volga and Ural deltas, the shores are low and swampy, and the water surface is covered with thickets in many places.

On east coast limestone shores predominate, adjacent to semi-deserts and deserts. The most winding shores are on the western coast in the area of ​​the Absheron Peninsula and on the east coast in the area of ​​the Kazakh Bay and Kara-Bogaz-Gol.

The territory adjacent to the Caspian Sea is called the Caspian region.

Water area and volume Caspian Sea varies significantly depending on fluctuations in water level. With a water level of 26.75 m, the area is approximately 371,000 square kilometers, the volume of water is 78,648 cubic kilometers, which is approximately 44 percent of the world's lake water reserves. The maximum depth of the Caspian Sea is in the South Caspian depression, 1025 meters from its surface. In terms of maximum depth, the Caspian Sea is second only to Baikal (1620 m) and Tanganyika (1435 m). The average depth of the Caspian Sea is 208 meters. At the same time, the northern part of the Caspian is shallow, its maximum depth does not exceed 25 meters, and the average depth is 4 meters.

In second place among the firmly entrenched Lake Superior- the largest, deepest and coldest of the Great Lakes and, in combination, the largest freshwater lake in the world.

In the north, Lake Superior is limited by the territory of the Canadian province of Ontario, in the west - American state Minnesota, in the south - the states of Wisconsin and Michigan.

The depressions of the lake in the Upper and northern parts of Lake Huron were mined in the crystalline rocks of the southern part of the Canadian Shield, the depressions of the remaining lakes - in the thickness of limestones, dolomites and sandstones of the Paleozoic of the North American Platform. The basin of the Upper Lake was formed as a result of tectonic movements, preglacial river and glacial erosion.

The origin of the water mass of Lake Upper is associated with the melting of the ice sheet, during the retreat of which a number of large lakes were formed in this area, which repeatedly changed their outlines.

In the northern part of the Great Lakes, the coastline is dissected, the islands and shores (altitude up to 400 m) are rocky, steep, very picturesque, especially the shores of Lake Upper and northern parts of Lake Huron.

Fluctuations in the level of the Verkhnee Lake are artificially regulated for the purposes of shipping, energy, etc. The amplitude of seasonal fluctuations is 30-60 cm, the highest level is observed in summer, the lowest - in winter. Short-term level fluctuations caused by strong surge winds and seiches reach 3-4 m, tide heights 3-4 cm

Lake Victoria closes the top three - a lake in East Africa, on the territory of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Located in the tectonic trough of the East African Platform, at an altitude of 1134 m. This is the 2nd largest fresh lake world after Lake Superior and the largest lake in Africa

The lake was discovered and named after Queen Victoria by the British traveler John Henning Speke in 1858.

Square Lake Victoria 68 thousand sq. Km, length 320 km, maximum width 275 km. It is part of the Victoria Reservoir. Many islands. The high-water Kagera river flows in, the Victoria-Nile river flows out. The lake is navigable, locals are engaged in fishing on it.

The northern coast of the lake crosses the equator. Lake at maximum depth 80 m refers to sufficiently deep lakes.

Unlike its deep-sea neighbors, Tanganyika and Nyasa, which lie within Africa's gorge system, Lake Victoria fills a shallow depression between the east and west sides of the Great Gorge Valley. The lake receives a huge amount of water from the rains, more than from all of its tributaries.

30 million people live in the vicinity of the lake. The Khaya people live on the southern and western shores of the lake, who knew how to grow coffee long before the arrival of Europeans. The main ports are: Entebbe (Uganda), Mwanza, Bukoba (Tanzania), Kisumu (Kenya), off the northern coast of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

Lake Huron is the fourth largest among. This is a lake in the United States and Canada, one of the North American Great Lakes. Located east of Lake Michigan, connected to it by the Mackinac Strait. From the point of view of hydrography, Michigan and Huron form a single system (they are connected by the Mackinac Strait), but geographically they are considered to be separate lakes.

Huron's area is about 59.6 thousand square kilometers (the second largest among the Great Lakes). The surface height above sea level is about 176 m (like Michigan), the depth is up to 229 m.

The states of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario have access to the lake. The main ports on Huron are Saginaw, Bay City, Alpina (USA) and Sarnia (Canada).

The name of the lake, introduced into everyday life by the French, comes from the name of the Indian tribe of the Hurons. Manitulin is located on Huron - the most big Island peace, located in a freshwater lake.

In the middle of the list, in 5th place among lake Michigan- one of the North American Great Lakes.

The only Great Lakes located entirely in the United States. Located south of Lake Superior, connected to Lake Huron by the Mackinac Strait, with the Mississippi River system - by the Chicago-Lockport Canal.

From the point of view of hydrography, Michigan and Huron form a single system, but geographically they are considered to be separate lakes.

Square Michigan- about 57,750 km2 (the third largest among the Great Lakes), about 500 km long, about 190 km wide. The surface height above sea level is 177 m (like that of Huron), the depth is up to 281 m. It is covered with ice for about four months a year. Islands - Beaver, North Manitou, South Manitou.

The states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin have access to the lake. Big cities Lake Michigan includes Chicago, Evanston and Highland Park (Illinois), Milwaukee and Green Bay (Wisconsin), Gary and Hammond (Indiana).

The name of the lake comes from the word mishigami, which means "big water" in the language of the Ojibwa Indians. The first of the Europeans to discover the lake in 1634 was the Frenchman Jean Nicollet.

The sixth among is Aral Sea.

Aral Sea - closed salt Lake v Central Asia, on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Since the 1960s of the XX century, the sea level (and the volume of water in it) has been rapidly decreasing due to the withdrawal of water from the main feeding rivers of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya for irrigation purposes. Before the shallowing began, the Aral Sea was the fourth largest lake in the world.

Collector-drainage water flowing from the fields into the Syr Darya and Amu Darya channels caused deposits from pesticides and various other agricultural pesticides, appearing in places on 54 thousand km. seabed covered with salt. Dust storms carry salt, dust and toxic chemicals to a distance of 500 km. Sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate are airborne and destroy or inhibit the development of natural vegetation and crops. The local population suffers from a high prevalence of respiratory diseases, anemia, cancer of the larynx and esophagus, and digestive disorders. Liver and kidney diseases and eye diseases have become more frequent.

In 2001, as a result of a drop in the water level, Vozrozhdenie Island joined the mainland. On this island, the Soviet Union tested bacteriological weapons: pathogens of anthrax, tularemia, brucellosis, plague, typhus, smallpox, as well as botulinum toxin were tested here on horses, monkeys, sheep, donkeys and other laboratory animals. This is the reason for fears that deadly microorganisms have survived, and infected rodents could spread them to other regions.

According to the calculations of scientists, it is no longer possible to save the Aral Sea. Even if we completely abandon the withdrawal of water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, the previous water level in it will be restored no earlier than in 200 years.

The Aral Sea once occupied 68 thousand square kilometers and was the fourth largest in the world. Now its area is about 10% of that recorded in the 60s of the last century. Pictures from 1989 and 2003:

From the 1950s to the present, projects have been repeatedly proposed for the construction of a canal to transfer water from the Ob basin to the Aral Sea basin, which would significantly develop the Aral Sea economy (in particular, agriculture) and partially revive the Aral Sea. Such construction will require very large material costs (from several states - Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan), therefore, there is no talk of the practical implementation of these projects.

Some scientists predict To the Aral Sea complete disappearance by 2020 ...

Lake Tanganyika — large lake in Central Africa. This is one of the most ancient in origin. In terms of volume and depth, Tanganyika ranks second after Lake Baikal. The shores of the lake belong to four countries - the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi.

The lake is about 650 km long and 40-80 km wide. The area is 34 thousand sq. Km. Lies at an altitude of 773 meters above sea level in the tectonic depression of the East African Rift Valley. Coastal landscapes, as a rule, are huge cliffs and only on the eastern side of the coast are gentle. On the west coast, the steep sidewalls of the East African Rift Zone, which form the coastline, reach 2,000 m in height. Coastline dotted with bays and bays. The largest of these is Burton Bay. The lake is fed by several tributaries. The only flowing river, Lukuga, begins in the middle west coast and flows westward, connecting with the Zaire River, which flows into the Atlantic.

The lake is home to hippos, crocodiles, and many waterfowl. Fishing and shipping are well developed.

Antiquity of the lake and a long period isolation ended with the development of a large number of endemic organisms, including those from the Cichlidae family (cichlids). Of the more than 200 fish species found in the lake, about 170 are endemic.

Tanganyika is inhabited to about a depth of 200 m, below this mark there is a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide and life is absent to the very bottom. This layer of the lake is a huge "burial ground" consisting of organic silt and sedimentary mineral compounds.

The temperature of the Tanganyika water is strictly different by layers. So, in the upper layer, the temperature ranges from 24 to 30 degrees, with a decrease at great depths. Due to the different density of water and the absence of a bottom current, the layers do not mix, and the temperature at the lower horizons reaches only 6-8 degrees.

The depth of the temperature jump layer is about 100 m. The Tanganyka water is very transparent (up to 30 m). Many salts are dissolved in it in small concentrations, so that in its composition it resembles a highly diluted sea salt. The hardness of water (mainly due to magnesium salts) ranges from 8 to 15 degrees. Water has an alkaline reaction, pH 8.0 - 9.5.

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TOP Russian lakes with unusual names

Russia can be called with confidence lakeside... Of course, there are countries with a large number of freshwater bodies of water, but for a Russian person nothing can be more beautiful than their native open spaces. In addition, almost all of our lakes bear original distinctive names.

Gechepsin. This lake is located in the Crimean region Krasnodar Territory, in the Lefkadia valley. Translated from the Adyghe, this reservoir is called "a well, the water in which is suitable for washing." Why such a name was chosen - history is silent. We can only make assumptions. So, the water in the lake could be soft and clean, or "Gechepsin" was specially created for various bath procedures.

"Dead Lake". In the southern part of Eastern Siberia, in the vicinity of Lake Baikal, the Dead Lake is located. This is a reservoir with clean water, but no one swims there, because it is mostly swampy, and its banks are mostly peaty and unsteady. Also, this lake has another name - "Warm Lake". It's all about the gas, the bubbles of which rise from the bottom to the surface.

"Mortal Lake"."Smerdyachye Lake" is located in the Shatursky District of the Moscow Region. The reservoir got its name for the characteristic smell of hydrogen sulfide. In 1985, a hypothesis was put forward about the meteoric origin of the lake, which was later confirmed. According to scientists, the meteorite that formed the "Mortal Lake" collided with the Earth about 10 thousand years ago.

"Svetloyar". To see the lake "Svetloyar", you need to get to the Voskresenskiy district Nizhny Novgorod region... According to legend, it is under the water of this reservoir that the magical city of Kitezh is hidden. Only the righteous, bright people are worthy to hear this holy city. They say that from the bottom of the "Svetloyar" sometimes a hum can be heard, similar to the ringing of bells.

Tsagan-Khag. This lake is located in the Republic of Kalmykia. Its name is translated from Kalmyk as "white silt". Most likely, there is no legend here, there are observations. Tsagan-Khag is located on a saline site and periodically dries up. It was during these periods that white salt forms on the surface of the reservoir, which in ancient times was most likely mistaken for silt.

Lake "Boiling". On Sakhalin, on the Kunashir Island, there is the Boiling Lake. According to legend, this reservoir was formed as a result of a volcanic explosion. The name "Boiling" lake is due to the fact that its water is heated by volcanic gases. Here you can often observe salvo emissions of boiling water, which are echoed by jets of sulfur and hydrogen sulfide gases.

"Bottomless Lake". It would seem that there is nothing easier than measuring the depth of the lake. However, not in the case of the "Bottomless Lake", the depth of which is still unknown. Hence the name. This reservoir is located in the suburbs, near the Vertlinskoe highway. Another feature of the "Bottomless Lake" is that it does not have solid shores (they can only swim from the pier), but, nevertheless, it never changes its rounded shape.