A lake can be defined as a naturally occurring body of fresh or salt water in a relatively large area, surrounded by land, or localized in a basin. It is estimated that more than One Hundred Million lakes exist on Earth, of which about Nineteen million are larger than one hectare (2.47 acres) in size making up some of the largest lakes in the world.
Lakes offer various benefits to our environment, as well as other biotic and abiotic components of the environment.
Its importance span through its use as a source of fresh water, recreational and tourist purposes, and home or habitat to various flora and fauna species of organisms, which makes it a major contributor to wide life preservation, as well as boxing up some of nature’s finest natural resources.
All of the aforementioned usefulness of lakes positively impact directly and indirectly the environment and its inhabitants, and as such, the need to study and be well informed about the location, features, and characteristics of this serene gift of nature.
From the largest to the smallest, these bodies of water are incredibly diverse and have unique characteristics that make them deserving of their special category. This article will take you through the 10 world’s largest lakes and their distinct features.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the main subject of this article.
Table of Contents
10 Largest Lakes in the World & What they are known for
- The Caspian Sea
- Lake Superior
- Lake Victoria
- Lake Huron
- Lake Michigan
- Lake Tanganyika
- Lake Baikal
- Great Bear Lake
- Lake Malawi
- Great Slave Lake
1. The Caspian Sea
Getting its name from the ancient people of Caspi who lived to the southwest of the sea in Transcaucasia, The Caspian Sea being an endorheic basin, covers a surface area of 372,000 km2 (144,000 sq mi), and a volume of 78,000 km2, and hence, regarded as the largest lake or inland body of water in the world.
This enormous lake is located between Europe and Asia and is the largest lake in the world by area. It’s four times the size of the United States’ largest lake, Lake Superior. It’s known for its abundance of fish and birds, which makes it a popular destination for recreational fishing and bird watching.
2. Lake Superior
Located on the border of the United States and Canada, this freshwater lake is the largest of the five Great Lakes. When considering its surface area, length of 563 km, and its greatest width of 258 km from north to south.
It is the largest freshwater lake in the world and holds about 10% of the world’s fresh water. It has a surface elevation of 180 meters above sea level and a depth of 1,332 feet.
Lake Superior has more than 200 rivers as its tributaries which include the Nipigon River, the St. Louis River, the Pigeon River, the Pic River, the White River, the Michipicoten River, Bois Brule River, and the Kaministiquia River, with its outlet at St. Marys River which has a steep slope with rapids.
It is known for its crystal-clear waters, which makes it the perfect spot for swimming, kayaking, and fishing.
3. Lake Victoria
This African lake is the second largest in the world and ranks first in terms of largeness in Africa. With a surface area of approximately 59,947 km2 (23,146 sq mi), Lake Victoria is by area, regarded as the world’s largest tropical lake and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by surface area after Lake Superior in North America.
It is home to an abundance of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of fish. It’s known for its deep waters and connection to the Nile River, which flows from it.
4. Lake Huron
Another of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron is located on the border between the United States and Canada. It’s known for its strong currents, which makes it a popular spot for sailing and other recreational activities.
5. Lake Michigan
This Lake is the third largest of the Great Lakes and the fifth largest in the world. It’s known for its beauty, its abundant wildlife, and its unique culture.
6. Lake Tanganyika
This great African lake is the world’s longest freshwater lake. It is the second-oldest freshwater lake in the world, the second-largest by volume, and also the second-deepest, in all cases after Lake Baikal.
It’s known for its massive variety of fish and its pristine waters, which makes it a popular spot for fishing and other recreational activities.
7. Lake Baikal
Located in Russia, this is the deepest lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake by volume. It’s known for its unique species, which includes the world’s only freshwater seal.
8. Great Bear Lake
Canada’s boreal forest has the largest lake in the whole of Canada. This Canadian lake is the fourth largest in the world and is known for its pristine waters and abundant fish. It is a popular destination for recreational activities like fishing and kayaking.
9. Lake Malawi
This African lake is the third largest in the world and is known for its variety of fish and the abundance of birds that come to visit. It’s a popular spot for swimming and other recreational activities.
10. Great Slave Lake
Located in Canada, this is the fifth-largest lake in the world. It’s known for its large population of northern pike and whitefish, which makes it a popular spot for fishing and other recreational activities.
Which is the largest freshwater lake in the world?
Lake Superior in North America has the largest surface area of any freshwater lake in the globe. It is the third-largest freshwater lake in the world by capacity, behind Lake Tanganyika in Africa and Lake Baikal in Russia.
Conclusion
Lakes are one of nature’s finest gifts to our environment. From the Caspian Sea to Great Slave Lake, each of these bodies of water has something unique to offer.
Asides from their unique features and natural aesthetic appearances, they also provide us with a huge deal of resources to sustain us, while helping us regulate several environmental parameters to ensure that the earth remains comfortable for all species of organisms whose habitats are here.
We then have to protect these gifts nature has given to us, for when we preserve and sustain our environment, she will in turn protect and sustain us too.
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