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When we talk about the largest freshwater lake in the world, we can define it in two ways: first, in terms of surface area and volume. Moreover, freshwater is scarce compared to saltwater, but a huge amount is available for human consumption, Read this blog to learn more about the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
Table of Contents
Largest Freshwater Lake in Terms Of Surface Area
Lake Superior, located in Central America, is considered the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third-largest freshwater lake.
- Lake Superior is located on the USA and Canada border with around 82,103 square kilometers of area,
- It is said that Lake Superior holds about 10 per cent of the world’s surface freshwater.
The Lake Superior is emptied into Lake Huron via the St. Marys River and the Soo Locks.
Facts about Lake Superior
There are some interesting facts about Lake Superior, which are stated as follows:
- The average depth of Lake Superior is 147 meters, with a maximum depth of 406 meters. Its maximum breadth is 257 km, while its maximum length is 560 km.
- The length of the Lake Superior shoreline, if stretched in a straight line, would allow one to travel from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Bahamas. That’s 4,385 km or more than 2,700 miles!
- It’s freezing in Lake Superior! The typical temperature of the water is between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius, or 36 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. The water is rather cold, even in the summer.
- The Ojibwe name for Lake Superior is Gitchi-Gami, which means “great sea.
- There are around 78 different types of fish in Lake Superior.
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Largest Freshwater lake in Terms Of Volume
Lake Baikal in Russia is considered the largest water lake in terms of volume and holds around 20% of the world’s unfrozen surface freshwater.
- It covers an area of about 31,722 km2 per square and is larger than Belgium.
- This lake is not only the largest freshwater lake in terms of volume but also one of the oldest lakes.
- Thousands of plant and animal species, many of which are peculiar to the area, can be found in Lake Baikal.
Additionally, the eastern side of the lake, where the mean temperature ranges from a winter minimum of -19 °C (2 °F) to a summer maximum of 14 °C (57 °F), is home to Buryat tribes, who raise goats, camels, cattle, sheep, and horses.
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Facts About Lake Baikal
There are some interesting facts about Lake Baikal, some of which are as follows:
- It is the deepest lake on Earth, with a depth of around 1,642 meters.
- Lake Baikal is a UNESCO world heritage site.
- Baikal Seal, the only freshwater seal species in the world, along with many other diverse ecosystems of plants and animals, are found in Lord Baikal.
- Lake Baikal is renowned for its exceptional water clarity. On a clear day, visibility can extend up to 40 meters (130 feet) deep, allowing you to see straight into the crystal-clear water.
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List of Largest Freshwater Lakes in The World
Some of the other largest freshwater lakes in the world are –
| No. | Lakes | By Volume (km³) | By Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Length (km) | Features |
| 1 | Caspian Sea | 78,200 | 389,000 | 1,025 | 1,119 | The biggest enclosed water area on land is bordered by Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Recognized for its considerable depth and freshwater volume. |
| 2 | Victoria Lake | 2,420 | 59,940 | 81 | 322 | The second-biggest freshwater lake in terms of size is situated in East Africa and spans across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. |
| 3 | Huron Lake | 3,520 | 59,590 | 229 | 332 | Ranked second in terms of surface area and third in volume among freshwater lakes. Recognized for its many islands and sunken vessels, providing a wealth of maritime history. |
| 4 | Michigan Lake | 4,930 | 58,030 | 282 | 494 | Part of the Great Lakes network, recognized for its enigmatic Michigan Triangle and protected shipwreck sites. Contains the biggest sand dunes and plentiful Petoskey stones. |
| 5 | Tanganyika Lake | 18,750 | 32,900 | 1,470 | 676 | The second-biggest and most ancient freshwater lake on the planet. Famous for its transparency and distinct underwater environment, it is jointly managed by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and Zambia. |
FAQs
Lake Superior is not located in Central America; it’s on the border of the United States and Canada. It’s considered the largest freshwater lake in terms of surface area and holds approximately 10 percent of the world’s surface freshwater.
Lake Baikal, located in Russia, is not only the largest freshwater lake in terms of volume but also one of the oldest lakes in the world. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hosts thousands of plant and animal species, including the unique Baikal Seal, found nowhere else in the world.
Lake Baikal is renowned for its exceptional water clarity, with visibility reaching up to 40 meters on clear days. It also holds the title of the deepest lake on Earth, plunging to depths of around 1,642 meters. Additionally, the lake’s eastern side is home to the Buryat tribes, who are known for their traditional livestock-rearing practices in the region.
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