What is the name of the largest lake in the world. Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol Caspian Sea

Lakes are different. Some are quiet, romantic with water lilies and picturesque shores. Others are cloudy and cold, frightening with their coldness. And the third ... and the third to call lakes and the tongue does not turn - ships float on the surface of these reservoirs, waves rage on the lakes no worse than in the ocean. Here are the most big lakes ah in the world, we'll talk.

So meet - most big lake in the world- Caspian Sea. Yes, by its size it can rightfully be called the sea. The area of ​​the Caspian is 371,000 km2. The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of Asia and Europe. But despite the salt water and large area, the Caspian is drainless lake.

In second place is Lake Superior - the largest lake in the world from freshwater lakes, and the deepest, largest and coldest of the Great Lakes. The lake is located in Canada and the United States. Its area is 82,100 km2.

In third place is Lake Victorya. It is located in East Africa, on the territory of three states at once - Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. It is the largest lake in Africa, with an area of ​​69,500 km2.

It was the three largest lakes in the world. Let's move on to the rest of the top ten.

The fourth place is occupied by Lake Huron, located on the territory of Canada and the United States. Like Great Lake, it belongs to the Great Lakes. The area of ​​Lake Huron is 59,600 km2.

In fifth place is the neighbor of Lake Huron, Lake Michigan. Its area is 57,750 km2. Lake Michigan is the third largest among the Great Lakes, and the only one among them that lies entirely within the United States.

The sixth line of our rating is occupied by the Aral Sea. For now. Because the Aral dries up very quickly, and, according to scientists, it is almost impossible to stop this process. So, even if you stop taking water from the rivers flowing into the lake, it will take more than 200 years to restore it. Therefore, the Aral Sea, quite possibly, will disappear by 2020. But once the Aral took the fourth place among the largest lakes in the world.

In seventh place is one of the most ancient lakes in the world - Lake Tanganyika. It is located in Central Africa and covers an area of ​​32,900 km2. The lake is remarkable big amount endemic fish species - there are about 200 of them. In addition, the water in the lake has different temperature in different layers that do not mix with each other. And the lowest layer of water is saturated with hydrogen sulfide, so there is no life there.

The eighth place is occupied by Lake Baikal. This is not only one of the largest lakes in the world, but also the deepest and most clear lake in the world. Baikal - unique lake, in a unique location. Only here you can find such a variety of flora and fauna, such a number of rare species of animals, birds and plants.

The ninth line of our rating is occupied by the Great Bear Lake, which is located in Canada and covers an area of ​​31,128 km 2. The lake is picturesque in itself, as are its shores. Also here you can see northern lights reflected in the water surface. This beauty cannot be expressed in words.

And on last place stands Lake Nyasa, which is located on the territory of several states: Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania. The lake covers an area of ​​30,800 km2. It is rich in living creatures, and some scientists call it the birthplace of aquarium fish.

10

• Square: 28,930 km2
• Max. length: 480 km
• Max. depth: 614 m
• Max. volume: 2,090 km 3

Great Slave Lake - bordered on the western side by forest, and on the northeast by tundra, the lake has spread widely on the Canadian lands of North America. The lake is the second largest lake in Canada's Northwest Territories, the deepest lake V North America, and the tenth largest lake in the world. The main rivers flowing into the lake are the Hay River and the Slave River. The Mackenzie River flows out of the lake.

9

• Square: 30,044 km2
• Max. length: 579 km
• Max. depth: 706 m
• Max. volume: 8,400 km 3

Lake Nyasa is located in the southwestern part of the East African Plateau in Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi, at an altitude of 470 m above sea level. The third largest lake in Africa, one of deepest lakes peace. Discovered by the Portuguese Bucarro in 1616. Developed shipping and tourism.

8

• Square: 31,080 km2
• Max. length: 373 km
• Max. depth: 446 m
• Max. volume: 2,236 km 3

big bear lake considered the largest body of water in Canada, which is located in the Northwest lands, on the Arctic Circle. It is in eighth place in the list of the largest inland lakes in the world and in fourth place in the list of North America. On the shore of the lake there are two settlements called Deline and Echo Bay. The Big Bear Lake is located at an altitude of 186 meters above sea level.

7

• Square: 31,500 km2
• Max. length: 636 km
• Max. depth: 1,637 m
• Max. volume: 23,600 km 3

Lake Baikal is located on the border Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia - in the center of the Asian continent. "The Blue Eye of Siberia", "The Sacred Sea", "The Diamond of the Planet" - this is how Baikal is called. Deep-sea lake holds the world's largest reserve fresh water, unique in composition. It is not only pure and transparent, but also contains so little mineral salts that it is equivalent to distilled. In the form of a crescent being born, Baikal stretched from the southwest to the northeast. The length of the lake is 636 km, the maximum width in the central part is 81 km, the minimum width opposite the Selenga delta is 27 km.

6

• Square: 32,893 km2
• Max. length: 676 km
• Max. depth: 1 470 m
• Max. volume: 18,900 km 3

Lake Tanganyika is considered the longest of all freshwater lakes on the planet and is located at an altitude of 773 meters above sea level. From north to south, it stretches for 676 km, which is 40 km longer than Lake Baikal. The average width is 72 km. The maximum depth is 1,470 meters, which corresponds to the 2nd place in the world. The average depth is 570 meters.

5

• Square: 58,000 km2
• Max. length: 494 km
• Max. depth: 281 m
• Max. volume: 4,900 km 3

Lake Michigan, translated from the language of the Ojibwa Indians, means " big water". Lake Michigan is located at an altitude of 177 meters above sea level. Its area is 58,000 square kilometers, greatest depth is 281 meters. Michigan is connected to Lake Huron by the Strait of Mackinac, which is about 3 kilometers wide. The shores of the lake are hilly, on the southern and southeastern shores they are covered with dunes reaching a height of 10 to 20 meters.

4

• Square: 59,600 km2
• Max. length: 332 km
• Max. depth: 229 m
• Max. volume: 3,540 km 3

In the list of Great Lakes, the second largest lake is Lake Huron, which stretches for 59.6 thousand km 2 on the border of the USA and Canada. It is part of a single system of lakes Superior, Michigan and Erie and is connected to them by straits. The lake is notable for its unusual star-shaped outlines. high coastline covered with forests in the northeast; sandy beaches and dunes. The lake is full of small and large islands.

3

• Square: 69 485 km 2
• Max. length: 322 km
• Max. depth: 84 m
• Max. volume: 2,750 km 3

Victoria is a lake in Africa, on the territory of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, the largest lake in Africa and the second fresh in the world. Lake Victoria is natural boundary between Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. In coastal areas, a significant number of aborigines - according to various sources, from 30 to 35 million people. The locals have a different name for this place - Nyanza, which means "big water".

2

• Square: 82,414 km2
• Max. length: 616 km
• Max. depth: 406 m
• Max. volume: 12,100 km 3

The upper lake is a fresh water reservoir with the maximum area. It is located in North America. Overall size lake is 82.4 thousand square kilometers. The coastline has a length of 4,387 kilometers. The width of the lake is 260 kilometers. The coastline is completely indented by bays and coves. From the northern part of the coast there are cliffs and rocks. In the south of the coast is exceptionally flat terrain.

1

• Square: 371,000 km2
• Max. length: 1,199 km
• Max. depth: 1025 m
• Max. volume: 78,200 km 3

The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth, which can be classified as the largest closed lake, or as a full-fledged sea, due to its size, and also due to the fact that its bed is composed of oceanic-type earth's crust. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Salt composition The waters of the closed Caspian Sea differ from those of the ocean. There are significant differences in the ratios of the concentrations of salt-forming ions, especially for the waters of areas under the direct influence of continental runoff.

The largest lake on Earth ... What is it? Agree that the word "lake" is a kind of quiet and calm body of water, overgrown with reeds. In it, closing our eyes, we see and the opposite shore is just a stone's throw away.

However, few people think about the fact that there are also such lakes that will definitely give odds to some of the seas, both in size and depth, and in the strength of periodically occurring storms.

Today I propose to talk about them.

The largest lake on earth. Its characteristic features

Oddly enough, but we all used to call the largest lake on Earth the sea or simply the Caspian. In fact, taking into account its features, it is simply impossible to call it a sea. Why? Yes, because according to the definition, some rivers must flow into the latter, but the Caspian located at the junction of Europe and Asia is drainless.

If you look closely at the pictures taken from space, you can immediately note another undeniably important feature. - The Caspian Sea has a rather complex shape, resembling the letter S from the Latin alphabet.

Its dimensions are actually impressive: the length from north to south is approximately 1200 km, but the distance from east to west bank differs in different parts, and therefore the figure ranges from 195 to 345 km, while the average is 315 km.

With purely geographic point view, as well as taking into account its physical conditions, the Caspian is used to be divided into three parts: Northern, Middle and Southern.

The coasts are usually smooth and low-lying. And only in the northern part the coastline is noticeably indented by islands and channels of such powerful rivers like the Volga and the Urals. In this swampy and extremely low area, thickets cover the water surface in many places.

The largest lake on earth. North America

The second in the list of champions is located and and is one of the cascade

However, one cannot fail to note the fact that, among other things, it is also considered the largest of the freshwater lakes on the planet.

You can see it with your own eyes on the border of two states at once - the USA and Canada. Its northern and eastern parts belong to the Canadian province of Ontario, but the western and southern parts are represented by the three American Wisconsin and Minnesota.

If speak about geological features, then Lake Superior was formed as a result of tectonic movements during the ice and pre-glacial periods. Retreating, the waters thus filling with water a huge reservoir in its size.

The largest lake in America is now considered, and quite deservedly, a favorite vacation spot not only for local residents, but also for a huge number of tourists who, almost throughout the year, tend to come here in order to admire beautiful islands and take pictures of rocky and precipitous coasts.

The largest lake on earth. Europe

According to statistics, the largest freshwater body of Europe without a doubt can be considered located in the northwestern part of our country. Its dimensions, compared with the two lakes listed above, are quite modest: the length from north to south is 219 km, and the average width is only 138 km.

However, the largest lake in Europe is notable for this. It plays an important role in the life of the Russian Federation. And above all, it provides drinking water our northern capital. The water in Ladoga is clear, cold and practically does not contain any impurities of mineral salts. Secondly, it also has an important commercial value, because. numerous species of the salmon family have been living in its waters since time immemorial. In addition, this reservoir significantly affects the weather - it is here that the maritime climate changes to continental.

There are about 5 million lakes on our planet, both natural and artificially created. They are found on almost all continents, but more often large lakes by area are found in the expanses of Russia.

The largest lakes in Russia

The largest Russian lake is called the sea. This is the Caspian Sea. Its area is almost one hundred and seventy-one thousand square meters. km. This is a salt pond. It washes the shores of five countries at once and is actually the border of Asia and Europe.

Lake Baikal ranks second in terms of area, but first in depth. In addition, from freshwater - this is the largest in Eurasia. Surprisingly, its waters are ninety percent of all fresh water in Russia. It has long been considered the purest and at the same time the most transparent, its waters were once recognized as healing. The area of ​​Baikal is a little less than thirty-two thousand square meters. km.

The next big Russian lake recognized Ladoga lake. In size, it does not exceed eighteen thousand square meters. km. It is interesting to know that thirty-five rivers flow into it, and such a famous river as the Neva originates from it.

Lake Onega occupies the 4th place in terms of area among Russian lakes. Its size is slightly less than ten thousand square kilometers. Its shores are full historical monuments. locals they call their reservoir “Onego-father”.

There is a lake in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Its name is Taimyr. It is located on the peninsula of the same name and is considered the most northern lake planets. The water level in it is constantly fluctuating, because of this, its surface area is constantly changing. It can be defined approximately - it is four and a half thousand square meters. km.

The Far Eastern Lake Khanka is located almost on the border with China. The surface area is almost four thousand square meters. km. Khanka has always been interesting for tourists, as it will allow them to study the customs and culture of both countries at once.

The 7th in terms of area is Lake Chany. It has salt water. It is located in Novosibirsk region. However, there is no exact data on its area. It is known that it varies from one and a half to two thousand square meters. km.

In the Volgograd region, there is White Lake, which is called a "paradise" for fishermen. The area is almost one thousand three hundred square meters. km.

On the 9th position Karelian lake. Him unusual name- Topozero. This favorite place kayakers, a lot of fishermen there. The area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe reservoir is a little less than a thousand square meters. km.

Completes the top ten large lakes in Russia - Ilmen. It is located in Novgorod region. The area is only four meters less area lake, which is on the 9th position of the rating.

You can also read more about the largest Russian lakes on the website.

The largest lakes in the USA

The largest is the Upper. Its area is almost eighty-three thousand square meters. km. Huron follows, followed by Michigan and Erie. The smallest of these five lakes is Ontario. At the same time, its area is nineteen and a half thousand square meters. km, which is not a lot. In the western United States lies the Big Salt Lake, whose salinity and area directly depend on the amount of precipitation. The maximum area that occurs near this lake is six thousand square kilometers.

On the Florida peninsula there is another American lake of considerable size - Lake Okeechobee. It connects with channels Atlantic Ocean. The area of ​​this reservoir is two thousand six hundred square meters. km.

largest freshwater lake

In places, its shores are cliffs and rocks. To facilitate navigation and energy, the water level in the reservoir is maintained artificially. The highest level occurs in the summer months, while in the winter the water level drops.

The longest lake

This lake stands out among other lakes and ancient origin, and depth. It should be noted that it is inferior in volume and depth only to Lake Baikal.

The length of the reservoir is six hundred and fifty km, while the width varies from forty to eighty km. Such a giant has a rather large surface area - thirty-four thousand square meters. km.

Basically, its coastal landscapes are rocks, while there are gently sloping shores only on the eastern side. Natural composition the lake is very unusual. It is known that it is many millions of years old, and since then it has not changed.

The largest lake in the world by area

rich and animal world Caspian Sea - these are Caspian seals, about a hundred species of fish, more than four hundred species of vertebrates and a diverse flora.
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The Caspian Sea is located on the border of Europe and Asia and is surrounded by the territories of five states: Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Despite the name, the Caspian is the largest lake on the planet (its area is 371,000 km2), but the bottom, composed of oceanic crust, and salty water together with large sizes give reason to consider it and the sea. A large number of rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, for example, such large ones as the Volga, Terek, Ural, Kura and others.

Relief and depth of the Caspian Sea

According to the bottom relief, the Caspian Sea is divided into three parts: southern (the largest and deepest), middle and northern.

In the northern part, the depth of the sea is the smallest: on average, it is from four to eight meters, and the maximum depth here reaches 25 m. Northern part The Caspian Sea is limited by the Mangyshlak Peninsula and occupies 25% of the entire area of ​​the reservoir.

The middle part of the Caspian is deeper. Here average depth becomes equal to 190 m, while the maximum is 788 meters. The area of ​​the middle Caspian is 36% of the total, and the volume of water is 33% of the total volume of the sea. It is separated from the southern part Absheron Peninsula in Azerbaijan.

The deepest and largest part of the Caspian Sea is the southern one. It takes 39% total area, and its share of the total volume of water is 66%. Here is the South Caspian depression, which contains the most deep point sea ​​- 1025 m.

Islands, peninsulas and bays of the Caspian Sea

In total, there are about 50 islands in the Caspian Sea, almost all of them are uninhabited. Due to the shallower depth of the northern part of the sea, most of the islands are located there, among them the Baku archipelago belonging to Azerbaijan, the Seal Islands in Kazakhstan, as well as many Russian islands off the coast Astrakhan region and Dagestan.

Among the peninsulas of the Caspian Sea, the largest are Mangyshlak (Mangistau) in Kazakhstan and Absheron in Azerbaijan, where such big cities as the capital of the country Baku and Sumgayit.

Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol Caspian Sea

The coastline of the sea is heavily indented, and there are many bays on it, for example, Kizlyar, Mangyshlak, Dead Kultuk and others. Special mention deserves the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, which is actually a separate lake connected to the Caspian Sea by a narrow strait, thanks to which a separate ecosystem and higher salinity of water are preserved in it.

Fishing in the Caspian Sea

Since ancient times, the Caspian Sea has attracted the inhabitants of its shores with its fish resources. About 90% of the world's sturgeon production is mined here, as well as such fish as carp, bream, and sprat.

Caspian Sea video

In addition to fish, the Caspian is extremely rich in oil and gas, the total reserves of which are about 18-20 million tons. Salt, limestone, sand and clay are also mined here.

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