The largest and most beautiful lakes in Russia. The average annual air temperature in the area

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

Narrow lakes from 160 to 320 km in length are located behind the dams on the Don, Volga and Kama. In Siberia, similar artificial lakes are located on the upper Yenisei and its tributary Angara, where 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 countless smaller lakes, located mainly in the poorly drained lowlands of the Russian and West Siberian Plains, especially in more northern regions. Some of them reach significant sizes, in particular, Lake Beloe (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 north-west of the country, and Lake Chany (1.4-2 thousand km²) in south-west Siberia.

List of the largest lakes in Russia

We present to your attention the 10 largest lakes of 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 a sea, not a lake, because the ancient Romans who arrived in this region discovered that its water was salty and named it the sea after the tribes of the Caspian who lived near the shores of the lake. The Caspian Sea borders the following five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Iran. The main river feeding the lake is the Volga, which provides about 80% of the inflow of the Caspian Sea, and the remaining 20% ​​falls on other smaller rivers.

The Caspian Sea is rich in oil and natural gas deposits, but these are under development. Also, the extraction process is hampered by the problem of separation natural resources lakes between the five countries bordering it. About 160 species and subspecies of fish from 60 genera live in the Caspian Sea and the deltas of the rivers flowing into it. 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 the fresh water on the Earth's surface, which is comparable in volume to the entire Amazon River basin. Baikal has 27 islands, including one over 70 km long (Olkhon Island).

More than 1,500 species of animals live off the shores of the lake, 80% of which are found nowhere 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 top positions of the Siberian food chain, feeding on deer, birds, rodents and smaller predators.

Ladoga lake

Lake Ladoga is the largest freshwater lake in Europe, located in the north-west of 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 to the west of Valaam Island it reaches 230 m.

The depression of the lake appeared under the influence of glaciers. northern shores mostly high and rocky, but also separated 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. Most major tributaries are the rivers Volkhov, Svir and Vuoksa.

48 found in the lake various kinds 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 food fish category.

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

Lake Onega

Lake Onega- the second largest lake in Europe, located in the north-west of the European part of Russia, between Lake Ladoga and the White Sea. It covers an area of ​​9.72 thousand km², 248 km long and up to 83 km wide. Nai great 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 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 1650 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, buzzards, peregrine falcons and snowy owls. Lives in Lake Taimyr a large number of fish, including grayling, muksun, char and whitefish. Although the area is relatively remote, depletion of stocks of certain commercial fish species is still observed.

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

The lake and its environs have been included in the Taimyr Nature Reserve since 1983. Scientists have discovered plutonium in the sediments of the lake, which allegedly entered Taimyr through wind-blown radioactive particles after nuclear testing held on Novaya Zemlya during the Cold War.

Khanka

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 territory of the Russian Federation. The only outflow is the Sungacha River, which flows east to the Ussuri River, which forms international border, and rush to the north, where it flows into the Amur River.

Khanka is famous for being home to the highest diversity of birds in the entire temperate zone of Eurasia. At least 327 species of nesting, wintering and migratory birds have been sighted in the lake area.

Chudsko-Pskovskoe Lake

Lake Peipus-Pskovskoye is the largest transboundary and fifth (after Ladoga, Onega, Swedish Venern and Finnish Saim) lake in Europe, located on the border between Estonia and Russia. It occupies 3.6% of the total basin area Baltic Sea. A total of 30 islands are located on Lake Peipsi, and another 40 in the delta of the Velikaya River. 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 Peipus-Pskov, including reed, calamus, reeds and various herbs. 42 species of fish live in the waters of the lake, such as smelt, vendace, bream, perch, pike, roach and whitefish. Wetlands serve as important nesting and feeding grounds for migratory birds such as swans, geese and ducks that migrate from White Sea to the 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 of Eurasia. Although 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 big 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. Over 220 species of birds can be found around the lake, including the black stork, osprey, white-tailed eagle, whooper, and black-headed gull. About 29 different species of fish live in the waters of the lake, one of which is suitable for human consumption. mountainous area serves as a home for Mongolian gerbils, wild sheep and Siberian ibex.

vats

Although Lake Chany is not well known outside of Siberia, it is one of the largest lakes in the country. Chany 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.

Tanks play an important role in the region's fisheries. The most common species are silver carp, carp, ide, perch. IN Lately there is a trend of depletion of fish stocks of the lake.

Lake Beloe

By area, Beloe is the second (after Onega) natural lake Vologda region, and third (after Rybinsk reservoir). It is one of the ten largest natural lakes in Europe. The lake has a relatively round 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 the Belozersky smelt. The forage base and high level of oxygen create favorable conditions for the life of many species. The following fish species are common in the waters of the lake: perch, pike, bream, ruff, sabrefish, roach, bleak, burbot, chub, rudd, whitefish, ide, tench, asp, dace and gudgeon).

Table of 10 largest lakes in Russia

Russia is a country with rich and unique natural resources, she has something to surprise and amaze: with forests, and rivers, and fields, and of course with her lakes, too, which are also called " blue eyes our planet”, which is undoubtedly very beautiful and poetic. About two million lakes are located on its territory of the Russian Federation, their total area is 350 thousand km 2, the volume of water in all lakes is more than 26 thousand m 3. Most of the lakes are of glacial origin.

Large lakes of Russia

The largest lakes located in the European part of Russia are Onega, Ladoga, Chudsko-Pskovskoye, Ilmen, a huge number of lakes in the "lake region" of the Republic of Karelia.

Lakes of the Asian part of Russia - the Caspian Sea-lake, Baikal, the most northern lake Russian Taimyr, Far East Lake Khanka and salt lake Chany in southwestern Siberia.

The Caspian Lake is the largest drainless, closed reservoir on Earth, its area is 371 thousand km 2, and the level is 28 meters below sea level (in Russia it is the Baltic Sea). Due to large sizes and the specific structure of the bed (it includes the earth's crust of the oceanic type), it is also called the sea. A conditional border between Europe and Asia passes along its surface, it washes the shores of Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran. The Russian Caspian Sea is the territory of the Republic of Dagestan, Kalmykia, Astrakhan region (northern and northwestern part of the Caspian Sea) ...

Lake Baikal is one of the most scenic spots of our country, this is the deepest lake on the planet, huge reserves of fresh water are stored here - 85% of all Russia's reserves and 22% of the world's. Its area is 31.7 thousand km 2, length - 636 km, width 48 km, max gubina indicators - 1637 m. Baikal - ancient lake, it is about 30 million years old, its basin is located in a rift basin, its water is particularly clean and transparent, the area around the lake (mountains, hills, dense deciduous forests) is uniquely picturesque ...

Northern and East Coast Lake Ladoga are located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia, the southern and western - Leningrad region. Its area, together with the islands, is 18.3 thousand km 2, this is the largest freshwater lake in Europe. It has access to the Atlantic Ocean, more than 40 rivers and lakes flow into it, the Neva River flows out (it flows into The Gulf of Finland the Baltic Sea, which is part of the Atlantic). In the southern part there are three major bays, large cities on its coast - Priozersk, Shlisselburg, Novaya Ladoga (Leningrad region), Sortavala, Lahdenpokhya (Karelia) ...

Lake Onega is located in the north-west of Russia, 80% of it is located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia, 20% - in the Leningrad and Vologda regions. Its area, together with the islands, is 9.7 thousand km 2, it is the second largest freshwater lake in Europe. The lake basin is located at the junction of the Baltic Shield and the Russian Platform. About 50 rivers carry their waters into the lake, one flows out - the Svir. Kondopoga, Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk (Republic of Karelia) were built on its banks...

Lake Taimyr with an area of ​​4.5 thousand km 2 is called the “northern brother” of Baikal, because it is the second largest fresh lake in the Asian part of Russia. It is located on the Taimyr Peninsula in the Krasnoyarsk Territory of the Russian Federation. The lake is located beyond the Arctic Circle, its surface is covered with ice from September to July. The Upper Taimyr flows into it, the Lower Taimyr (Kara Sea basin) flows out ...

We present you the most impressive Russian lakes in terms of size.

It remains to add that this is not the whole list of unique lakes in Russia. But, of course, these are the largest lakes in Russia.

White lake

There are about 29 species of fish in the reservoir, so the lake can be considered a real paradise for fishermen.

Lake Chany

Various legends have been circulating about Chany for a long time. According to one of them, a huge snake lives in the lake, which eats people and cattle. However, this is not confirmed by any scientific data. It is likely that the legend was specially invented to attract tourists.

Ubsu-Nur

Since 2003 the lake has been integral part object world heritage UNESCO of the Ubsunur basin.

Chudsko-Pskovskoe Lake

Because of his geographical location the shores of the lake are partly considered a border zone and access to them is limited. In the coastal strip of Lake Pskov there is a wetland ornithological reserve "Pskov-Chudskaya lakeside lowland"

Lake Khanka

Lake Khanka is one of the largest lakes in Russia

Khank has a rather good location, so a lot of tourists come to the reservoir. They can simultaneously get acquainted with the customs and cultures of two countries at once. About 75 species of different fish live in the waters of the reservoir, and some of them are even listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Lake Taimyr

And due to fluctuations in the water level in the reservoir, its area can vary up to a maximum of 4.56 thousand square kilometers. The maximum depth of the lake is about 26 meters. It should be noted that the flora and fauna of the Taimyr Lake is filled with arctic species. A river called the Upper Taimyr flows through Taimyr, at the exit from the lake it continues with the Lower.

Lake Onega

The people of Lake Onega are called "Onego-father". It is famous clean water and numerous historical monuments that are located on the coast.

Ladoga lake

Exactly 35 rivers flow into Lake Ladoga, and besides this, the Neva River originates. There are 60 species of fish in the reservoir, more than half of which are caught on an industrial scale.

Lake Ladoga is the third largest lake in Russia

Lake Onega and Ladoga are very similar. Both are located in the North-West of Russia and both belong to the Baltic Sea basin, moreover, both have the same origin. There are quite a few rocky islands on the lakes, some of which are known for their historical, cultural and religious monuments. In particular, this is the Valaam archipelago, where for about a thousand years monastery. The island of Kizhi is also famous with its wooden churches and bell tower.

Baikal

Exactly 336 rivers of various sizes flow into the lake, but only the Angara flows out of it. Its water resources are used by a number of the largest hydroelectric power stations.

The largest lake in Russia - the Caspian Sea

Due to the imbalance between the amount of evaporation and water entering the Caspian, the area of ​​​​the lake may fluctuate. In the last century, it began to decline steadily. And about 30 years ago, the climate in the main supplier of water to the sea - the Volga basin - the flow exceeded the flow, so the coastal areas began to flood. By the way, natural gas and oil have been produced in the Caspian Sea since 1820, according to experts, the reserves reach up to 20 billion tons.

By the way, the salinity of almost the entire reservoir is three times less than the ocean, but in the north of the Caspian Sea, the water can be fresh.
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Russia is located in the east of Europe and in the north of Asia, occupying about 1/3 of the territory of Eurasia and 1/9 of the earth's land. European part country (about 23% of the area) includes territories to the west of Ural mountains(the border is conditionally drawn along the Urals and the Kumo-Manych depression); The Asian part of Russia, which occupies about 76% of the territory, lies to the east of the Urals and is also called Siberia (however, the exact definition of the boundaries of Siberia is a matter of dispute) and the Far East. The total length of Russia's borders is 60,933 km (of which 38,808 km are maritime borders); Russia's borders in the north and east are maritime, in the south and west they are mostly land. Despite the fact that Russia in terms of area is largest country world, climatic and soil conditions in most of its territory are not conducive to agriculture.

Russia is one of the most water-provided countries in the world. The country has one of the world's largest reserves of fresh water. Surface waters occupy 12.4% of the territory of Russia, while 84% surface water concentrated east of the Urals; many densely populated areas of the European part of Russia experience a shortage of water resources. Production needs prevail in the structure of water use.

Russia has the deepest lake in the world (Baikal), the longest river in Europe (Volga) and the largest lake in Europe (Ladoga), the cold pole of the Northern Hemisphere (Verkhoyansk), as well as highest peak Europe (Elbrus) (when drawing the border between Europe and Asia along the Great Caucasian ridge, and not along the rivers Kum and Manych to the mouth of the Don).

Lakes of Russia.

There are over 2.5 million lakes in Russia. The largest lakes are the Caspian, Ladoga, Onega, Baikal. The Caspian is the largest lake in the world in terms of area, and the deepest is Baikal. The lakes are very unevenly distributed. There are especially many of them in the Vilyui basin, on the West Siberian Plain and in the north-west of the European Plain - in Karelia. All these areas are in conditions of excessive moisture. To the south, in the zone of steppes and semi-deserts with their arid climate, the number of lakes decreases sharply, and many lakes have saline or brackish water. Salty are such drainless large lakes as the Caspian Sea, as well as lakes Elton and Baskunchak, where table salt is mined.
There are 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 Beloe (1.29 thousand sq. km.), Topozero (0.98 thousand sq. km.), Vygozero (0.56 thousand sq. km.) and Lake Ilmen (0.98 thousand sq. km.) in the territory of the European north-west of the country, and Lake Chany (1.4-2 thousand sq. km.) in the south-west of Siberia.
Lakes also differ in the origin of the basins. lakes tectonic origin located in the troughs and dips of the earth's crust. largest tectonic lake Baikal is located in a graben and therefore reaches a depth of 1637 m.
Glacial-tectonic lake basins arose as a result of glacier processing of tectonic depressions in the earth's crust: Imandra, Ladoga, Onega. In Kamchatka and the Kuriles, lakes are mainly volcanic origin. In the northwest of the European Plain, the origin of lake basins is associated with continental glaciations. Many basins are located between moraine hills: Seliger, Valdai.
As a result of collapses in mountain valleys dammed lakes arose: Sarez in the Pamirs, Ritsa in the Caucasus. Small lakes appear above karst sinkholes. On South Western Siberia many saucer-shaped lakes resulting from subsidence of loose rocks. When ice melts in permafrost areas, saucer-shaped shallow lakes also form. The oxbow lakes are located on the floodplains of lowland rivers. On the shores of the Black and Azov Seas there are lakes-estuaries.
All large and largest lakes in Russia are widely used in national economy. They catch and breed fish. Especially a lot of fish, including the most valuable sturgeon, are caught in the Caspian. There is omul fishing in Baikal. The lakes are also used for navigation. A variety of minerals are mined in the basins of the lakes: oil and mirabilite in the Caspian Sea, table salt in Elton and Baskunchak.

The largest lakes in Russia.

Caspian Sea, area - 376,000 square kilometers, maximum depth - 1,025 meters.
Lake Baikal, area - 31,500 square kilometers, maximum depth - 1,620 meters.
Lake Ladoga, area - 17,700 square kilometers, maximum depth - 230 meters.
Lake Onega, area - 9,690 sq. km., maximum depth - 127 meters.
Taimyr lakes, area - 4,560 sq. km., maximum depth - 26 meters.
Lake Khanka, area - 4,190 sq. km., maximum depth - 11 meters.
Lake Peipus-Pskovskoye, area - 3,550 sq. km., maximum depth - 15 meters.
Lake Chany, area - 1 708-2 269 sq. km., the greatest depth - up to 10 meters.
White Lake, area - 1,290 sq. km., maximum depth - 6 meters.
Topozero, area - 986 sq. km., the greatest depth - 56 meters.
Lake Ilmen, area - 982 sq. km., the greatest depth - up to 10 meters.
Lake Imandra, area - 876 sq. km., maximum depth - 67 meters.
Khantai lake, area - 822 sq. km., maximum depth - 420 meters.
Segozero, area - 815 sq. km., maximum depth - 97 meters.
Kulunda Lake, area - 728 sq. km., the greatest depth - 4 meters.
Teletskoye lake, area - 223 sq. km., maximum depth - 325 meters.

Rivers of Russia.

Russia occupies a vast geographical area, and it is not surprising that numerous rivers, which played an important historical role in the settlement and development of new lands. Almost all are located on the rivers Largest cities countries. Within Russia there are about 3 million rivers with a total length of almost 10 million km. Most of the rivers of Russia belong to the basin of the Northern Arctic Ocean. It makes up over 66% of the country's area; up to 80% of atmospheric precipitation falls within its limits. The rivers flowing into the northern seas are the longest and most full-flowing in Russia. Most long river Lena - 4400 km. The most deep river- Yenisei (623 km3 per year). In terms of catchment area, the first place in the country is occupied by the Ob (2975 sq. km.). The rivers of the Arctic Ocean are freezing. In winter, a winter road is installed along them for about four months - roads for the movement of cars and sledges.
The largest rivers of Siberia originate in the south of the country in the Altai, Sayan and Baikal mountains. The rivers of the Arctic Ocean basin are fed by snow and rain. In the spring, due to the melting of snow on the rivers, the water rises. The flood begins in the south, and in the north the ice for a long time prevents the flow of melt water to the ocean. Therefore, on all rivers of the Arctic Ocean basin, on average and downstream high water rises in spring. In the southern parts of the rivers of Siberia are swift and rapids. On these segments of the valleys, large hydroelectric power plants have been built and are being built: Krasnoyarsk and Sayano-Shushenskaya on the Yenisei, Novosibirsk on the Ob, Bukhtarma and Ust-Kamenogorsk on the Irtysh, Irkutsk, Bratsk and Ust-Ilimskaya on the Angara, on the tributaries of the Lena - Vilyui and Vitim - built Vilyui and Mamakanskaya HPP. In the northern plains, the course of these rivers is calm and smooth. In summer, they are used for timber rafting and navigation, connect the southern and inland regions of the country with the Northern by sea and the Trans-Siberian Railway.
The rivers of the European part of the Arctic Ocean basin - Pechora, Mezen, Northern Dvina and Onega are much shorter Siberian rivers. They flow completely over the plains and therefore have a calm current.
To the pool Pacific Ocean covers approximately 19% of the country's area. The main river of this basin is the Amur and its tributaries Zeya, Bureya and Ussuri. Rivers are predominantly rain fed. In the conditions of the monsoonal climate in the Pacific Ocean, little snow falls in winter, so there are no spring floods, but floods are very significant due to summer monsoon rains. The water in the Amur and its tributaries rises to 10-15 m and floods vast areas. Catastrophic spills usually occur in early autumn. At this time, sudden and stormy downpours of cyclones - typhoons often fall on the Far Eastern regions of the country. River floods reach several tens of kilometers and cause great damage to agriculture, cities and towns.
The Amur and its tributaries have a large fall and are rich in hydropower. The Zeya hydroelectric power station was built on the Zeya River. The Amur is the main river highway of the Far East, through which the inner remote regions are connected with the seas. Along the rivers Argun, Amur and Ussuri passes state border Russia since People's Republic China.
Near the rivers of Chukotka and the basin Sea of ​​Okhotsk predominantly snow fed. Therefore, they are full-flowing in late spring and early summer, which favors the movement of salmon fish, rising to spawn up rivers and rivers.
The Caspian basin is called drainless, since the rivers carry their waters not to the World Ocean, but to an internal drainless reservoir - to the Caspian Sea. The basin covers the interior of the East European Plain, Southern Urals, eastern part Caucasus.
The Volga, Ural, Araks, Terek, Emba and other rivers flow into the Caspian. The largest river is the Volga. Its basin occupies 34% of the East European Plain. Most of the tributaries of the Volga are located in a temperate continental climate with sufficient moisture. Food is mostly snowy. In the spring, when the snow melts, there is a significant rise in water in the river. In summer, the main source of food is The groundwater and rain. Some rise of water in the channel also occurs in autumn, when evaporation is significantly reduced. Below the mouth of the large left tributary of the Kama, the Volga flows through the steppe and semi-desert zones, where there is very little precipitation and therefore there are no significant tributaries. Below Volgograd, the Volga has no tributaries and is of a transit nature. It only carries water and partially evaporates it. From here, the Volga splits into branches, the largest of which is Akhtuba. Below Astrakhan, the channel is divided into 80 branches, forming a vast delta. Now almost the entire Volga has turned into a cascade of dams and reservoirs. On Upper Volga not far from Tver is the Ivankovskoye reservoir. From him begins the channel to them. Moscow, through which the Volga water is pumped for the water supply of Moscow. Below, the entire Volga to Volgograd turned into a chain of interconnected reservoirs (Uglich, Rybinsk, Gorky, Cheboksary, Kuibyshev, Saratov and Volgograd). They retain a significant part of the spring flood water, which is used to generate electricity, water supply to cities, and irrigate drylands. Thanks to reservoirs, the movement of large river vessels. Now the river is connected by the Volga-Don navigable canal with the Black and Azov seas, the Volga-Baltic - with the Baltic and White seas. Half of all river cargo and passengers of the country are transported along the Volga. But the reservoirs flooded large areas fertile floodplain lands. The dams slowed down the flow of the Volga. As a result, a large amount of pollutants began to accumulate in the reservoirs, which come here from the fields, as well as with industrial and domestic effluents. Therefore, the river is currently heavily polluted.
Pool Atlantic Ocean takes smallest area- about 5% of the entire territory of Russia. Rivers flow west into the Baltic Sea and south into the Black and Sea of ​​Azov. To the west flow the Western Dvina, Neman, Neva, etc. To the south - the Dnieper, Don and Kuban. All the rivers of the Atlantic Ocean basin are full-flowing all year round, since most of their watersheds are located on the territory of sufficient moisture. They mainly feed on snow, and in summer - underground and rain. The rivers flowing into the Baltic Sea have very little fluctuations in runoff, since precipitation falls evenly throughout the year. There are only small spring floods and autumn floods. Special place occupied by the Neva River. This short river(74 km long) carries a huge amount of water - 79.7 km3 per year, four times more than the Dnieper, which has a length of over 2 thousand km. The Neva originates in Lake Ladoga and therefore its flow is constant throughout the year.
But almost every year it floods part of St. Petersburg with its waters. The culprits of the floods are surges of water from the Baltic Sea, which dam up the Neva. As a result, the water in the river rises by 2 - 3.5 m and splashes out of the granite embankments onto the streets and squares of the city.
The rivers of the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean basin receive water in their branched upper reaches. In the lower sections, they are of a transit nature, since here the rivers cross the steppe zone with an arid climate. The food of the Dnieper and Don is mainly snow, so they have high spring floods. A cascade of hydroelectric facilities and reservoirs has been built on the southern rivers. Reservoirs are used both to generate electricity and to irrigate arid lands in the south of the East European Plain. Rice and other agricultural crops are grown in the Sea of ​​Azov and the North Caucasus thanks to the waters of the Don and Kuban.

The largest rivers of Russia.

Lena, length - 4320 km., Basin area - 2418 thousand sq. km.
Yenisei (with Biy-Khem), length - 4012 km., Basin area - 2707 thousand sq. km.
Ob (with Katun), length - 4070 km., Basin area - 2425 thousand sq. km.
Volga, length - 3690 km., Basin area - 1380 thousand sq. km.
Amur, length - 2824 km., Basin area - 1855 thousand sq. km.
Ural, length - 2530 km., Basin area - 220 thousand sq. km.
Kolyma, length - 2150 km., Basin area - 644 thousand sq. km.
Don, length - 1950 km., Basin area - 422 thousand sq. km.
Indigirka, length - 1790 km., Basin area - 360 thousand sq. km.
Pechora, length - 1790 km., Basin area - 327 thousand sq. km.
Northern Dvina (with Sukhona), length - 1300 km., Basin area - 411 thousand sq. km.
Yana (with Dulgalakh), length - 1070 km., Basin area - 318 thousand sq. km.
Selenga (with Ider), length - 1020 km., Basin area - 445 thousand sq. km.
Mezen, length - 966 km., Basin area - 76 thousand sq. km.
Kuban, length - 906 km., Basin area - 51 thousand sq. km.
Terek, length - 626 km., Basin area - 44 thousand sq. km.
Onega, length - 416 km., Basin area - 58 thousand sq. km.
Neva, length - 74 km., Basin area - 282 thousand sq. km.

Our Motherland - Russia is rich in water resources. These are reserves of clean fresh water, and boundless salty seas and lakes. This article is devoted to the largest lakes in Russia. There are a lot of them, we will highlight the ten main ones. And if you are concerned about the question: what is the largest lake in Russia ?, then carefully examining this TOP, you will get an answer to it.

1. Caspian Sea

This lake is considered to be the sea, because it has salty waters and huge sizes. It is the largest lake not only in Russia, but also on the whole planet. Five states are located along its banks: Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan). The territories of Russia washed by this lake are Kalmykia, Dagestan, Astrakhan region. The area of ​​the Caspian Sea is more than 370 thousand square kilometers, and the maximum depth is 1025 meters. It bears its name as a heritage of ancient tribes - the Caspians, who lived in ancient times in the south-west of its coast.

2. Baikal

The second largest lake in Russia. This is the largest freshwater lake. It is located in Eastern Siberia on the territory of Buryatia and Irkutsk region. Baikal is the deepest lake on the planet. Its maximum depth is 1640 meters. The area of ​​this lake is more than 315,000 sq. km., it is the main reservoir of fresh water in Russia (90% of the total reserves). The Angara River flows out of Baikal. The waters of this beautiful lake are clean and fresh. As long as we have something to be proud of.

Located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad region, a large lake with an area of ​​17,600 square kilometers impresses with its beauty and picturesque nature. Lake Ladoga is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe, with a maximum depth of 230 meters. 35 large rivers stretch to its bosom, and the proud Neva flows out of it. On Lake Ladoga industrial and private fishing flourishes, this is facilitated by the abundance of various types of fish.

4. Lake Onega

freshwater lake on the territory of Karelia, Leningrad and Vologda regions. Numerous monuments of Russian culture are located along its wide banks. Pure water"Onego-father", as it is affectionately called by the people, extends over 9616 sq. km and has greatest depth 127 meters. The Svir River flows out of the lake.

The lake is spread over Krasnoyarsk Territory on 4560 sq. km. it is located on the peninsula of the same name. Taimyr is the northernmost lake on Earth. The depth and width of the lake varies depending on the density of the ice and the time of year, but in general the most deep place- 26 meters. Mostly in the Taimyr Lake there are arctic fish species adapted to survive in harsh cold conditions.

6. Khanka

The lake is located in Primorye, on the border with China. A favorite place for tourists who want to visit both the Far East of Russia and China, and get acquainted with the culture and customs of two countries at once, so dissimilar to each other.
The maximum depth of Khanka is 11 meters, and the area is about 4070 sq. km. The lake is rich in its fauna, but many species of fish are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and are prohibited for catching.

Located in the Pskov region. It has an area of ​​3550 sq. km and the greatest depth - 15 km. The river Narva originates from it.

8. Ubsu Nur

This salty, beautiful lake is located in Tuva. unusual name. Its area is 3350 sq. km, and the maximum depth reaches 15 meters.

9. Lake Chany

Salt lake in the Novosibirsk region. There is a legend that a huge snake lives in this lake, which devours people. And what? There is plenty of room to roam. After all, the area of ​​this lake varies, reaching 2000 sq. km, and the depth in some places is 12 meters. And although, perhaps, these are fairy tales for tourists, the lake fascinates with its lively beauty.

10. White Lake

The fresh lake, located in the Vologda region, covers an area of ​​about 1290 sq. km, reaches a maximum depth of 20 meters, although the shore of the White Lake is rather low and its average depth is 5-7 meters. The Sheksna River flows from its bowels. The lake is rich in fish, and happy fishermen fish up to 30 different species of fish.

We have listed some of the many lakes located on the territory of our country. As you can see, Karelia is the richest area in Russia with lakes. Lucky!

Well, the smallest lake in Russia has not yet bothered to get its name. Apparently, because there are thousands of such lakes in Russia! Someone calls them by the names of the surrounding villages. The official version of the smallest lake is Lake Ertso, on the territory of South Ossetia. Every 3-5 years, the lake completely goes underground, as if it never existed, and after a while it reappears with a solemn look. A kind of "ghost". In high water, it reaches 0.5 sq. km. This is such an unusual lake.