Which body of water does not flow into any. Rivers flowing from Baikal. The only river flowing from Baikal. Separates and connects

Baikal - deepest lake, surrounded by high mountains. Many rivers flow into it, but only one flows out. She is called the daughter of Baikal. It is beautiful and full-flowing and, moreover, very swift.

General description of the Baikal rivers

The food pool has many water streams. These are the rivers flowing from Baikal and flowing into it. There are 544 temporary and permanent tributaries. The rivers were counted on maps in 1964. Before that, it was believed that there were 336 of them. Moreover, most of them flow from the eastern shores.

The rivers carry 60 cubic kilometers of water to Baikal. It has low mineralization, as the area around the lake is composed of metamorphic and volcanic rocks. total area The drainage basin is about 540 thousand square kilometers. The largest inflowing and flowing rivers of Baikal: Angara, Selenga, Upper Angara, Barguzin. They are located like this, starting with the most important.

Main tributaries of Baikal

Most of the waters - almost half of Baikal - comes from its source located in Mongolia.

The Upper Angara flows into Baikal from the northeast. It flows down from the Severo-Muisky and Delyun-Uransky ridges.

Barguzin is another major river flowing into Baikal. In full-flowing water, it loses to the Upper Angara. It carries its waters from the Barguzinsky ridge. The height that this river loses when it reaches the majestic lake is 1344 meters.

The rivers flowing down from the Khamar-Daban ridge are numerous. This mountain range heavily dissected by valleys. These are such rivers as Snezhnaya, Langutai, Selenginka, Utulik, Khara-Murin. These water streams have many rapids and waterfalls.

All these are tributaries huge lake, but are there any rivers flowing from Baikal? The water stream originating from this miracle of nature is one and only. Which river flows out of Baikal can be seen on the map of this area. This is Angara.

Toponymy of Baikal and its rivers

The name Baikal (according to one of the versions) is translated from Turkic as "rich lake". Another option, from Mongolian, is " big lake". Different translations of the names have flowing and flowing rivers. Angara originates from Baikal, and its name means "open" (from the Buryat word "angagar"). Barguzin (and with it the ridge, village, bay of the same name) is formed from the name of the tribe living in the Baikal region. They are called Barguts, and their language is similar to Buryat. Selenga from Evenki means "iron". And from Buryat it can have such a translation: "lake", "overflow". The resulting ledge is revered by local population. It has acquired the status of a protected natural monument.

Angara and the rivers flowing into it

The Angara has a powerful stream, like other large Siberian rivers. Its waters flowing from Baikal rush mainly in the northern and western directions. On its way, it overcomes further flows through the territory of the Baikal region and ends its run at the confluence with the Yenisei. Its length is 1779 kilometers. The Angara owes its powerful flow to Baikal. Its width is more than a kilometer. The only river flowing from Baikal, in turn, feeds the Yenisei, the largest water artery of Siberia, from the right side. The basin of this river includes 38 thousand small and major tributaries. In addition, there are more than six lakes in this area. The tributaries of the Angara on the left side are larger: Irkut, Kitoy, Belaya, Biryusa, Oka, Uda. On the right side, the flowing rivers are not so full-flowing: Ilim, Ushovka, Uda, Kuda, Ida, Osa.

The course of this river passes through an area characterized by severe climatic conditions. However, ice is established on it later than on other large water streams in Siberia. This is due to the fact that there is a very strong current. In addition, Baikal waters enter the Angara, the temperature of which is warmer. At the source, steam even rises above the river. It forms frost on trees. Every year black-and-white goldeneyes, long-tailed ducks, and mergansers come here for the winter. Also in winter, up to two thousand ducks gather on the Angara.

Economic use of the river

The cities of Irkutsk, Angarsk, Bratsk, Ust-Ilimsk arose on the banks of the Angara. The only river flowing out of Baikal has a very powerful flow. Therefore, hydropower plays an important role in the economy of this region. Three Irkutsk and Ust-Ilimsk were built on the Angara. Reservoirs with corresponding names have been built here. Together they form the Angara cascade. The fourth HPP - Boguchanskaya - is under construction.

Prior to the creation of these power plants and reservoirs, the river was not navigable, since its course is very fast, and many rapids created a danger to pass. This was a very serious problem in the economic development of this area. Now river transport became more accessible, but only in four sections of the river. As a result of human activities, the water in the Angara has become calmer.

Legend of the Angara

There is a legend that tells which river flows out of Baikal and why. It says that the hero Baikal lived in these parts. He had 336 sons and only one daughter, Angara. The hero forced his children to work day and night. They melted snow and ice, and drove the waters into deep depression located surrounded by mountains. But the results of their hard work were wasted by the daughter on different outfits and other whims. One day Angara found out that somewhere behind the mountains lives the handsome Yenisei. She fell in love with him.

But the stern father wanted her to marry the old man Irkut. To prevent her from escaping, he hid her in a palace at the bottom of the lake. Angara grieved for a long time, but the gods took pity on her and released her from the dungeon. Baikal's daughter broke free and ran quickly, quickly. And the old Baikal could not catch up with it. Out of anger and annoyance, he threw a stone in her direction. But he missed, and the block fell into the place where the Shaman stone is now located. He continued to throw stones at his fleeing daughter, but each time Angara managed to dodge. When she ran to her fiancé Yenisei, they hugged and together went north to the sea.

Angara is one of the largest Siberian rivers and yet it is unique. This is the only river flowing from Lake Baikal. It provides electricity to all Irkutsk region and neighboring territories.

A lake is a body of water without direct connection with the oceans. Lakes, like any geographical object, should be classified according to various aspects: historical, geographical, political, economic, geological, legal, and others. Geographically, lakes should be divided into the following types: 1. In relation to the mainland: 1.1. Lakes located in Africa. 1.2. Lakes located in Eurasia. 1.3. Lakes located in Australia. 1.4. Lakes located in North America. 1.5. Lakes located in South America. 1.6. Lakes located in Antarctica. 1.7. Lakes located on the islands. 2. In relation to the part of the world: 2.1. Lakes related to Africa. 2.2. Lakes related to Antarctica. 2.3. Lakes related to Asia. 2.4. Lakes belonging to Europe. 2.5. Lakes washing two parts of the world. 2.6. Lakes related to Australia and Oceania. 2.7. Lakes related to America. 3. According to the water balance: 3.1. Drainless lakes. 3.2. Waste lakes. 4. By salinity of water: 4.1. Fresh lakes. 4.2. Salt lakes. 4.3. Fresh-salt lakes. 5. By depth: 5.1. Deep water lakes. 5.2. Lakes of medium depth. 5.3. Shallow lakes. 6. By area: 6.1. Large lakes. 6.2. Lakes of medium size. 6.3. Small lakes. 6.4. Microlakes. 7. In relation to the basin of the World Ocean: 7.1. Lakes related to the basin Pacific Ocean. 7.2. Lakes belonging to the Northern Arctic Ocean. 7.3. Lakes belonging to the Indian Ocean basin. 7.4. Lakes related to the basin Atlantic Ocean. 7.5. Lakes belonging to the endorheic basin. 8. In relation to the islands: 8.1. Lakes with islands inside. 8.2. Lakes containing archipelagos. 8.3. Lakes, within which there are no islands and archipelagos. 9. In relation to the rivers flowing into the lake: 9.1. Lakes with only one river. 9.2. Lakes into which two rivers flow. 9.3. Lakes into which three or more rivers flow. 9.4. Lakes into which rivers do not flow. 10. In relation to the rivers flowing from the lake: 10.1. Lakes from which a river flows. 10.2. Lakes from which the river does not flow. 11. By status: 11.1. Lakes of the first order. 11.2. Lakes of the second order. 12. In relation to the equator: 12.1. Lakes located in the Northern Hemisphere. 12.2. Lakes in the Southern Hemisphere. 12.3. Lakes located in the northern and southern hemispheres. 13. In relation to the Greenwich meridian: 13.1. Lakes located in the Western Hemisphere. 13.2. Lakes located in the Eastern Hemisphere. 13.3. Lakes located in the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. 14. In relation to reservoirs: 14.1. Lakes that are part of the reservoir. 14.2. Lakes that are not part of a reservoir. All lakes existing in the world should be divided into lakes of the first order and lakes of the second order. Most of the lakes on Earth belong to the lakes of the first order. Lakes of the second order include lakes that are integral part any lake of the first order. For example, Lake Peipsi-Pskovskoe consists of three lakes of the second order: Pskovskoe Lake, Warm Lake and Lake Peipsi. Lakes are found on all continents. The following lakes are located in Europe: 1. lake constance. Located on the border of Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 2. Lake Geneva. Located on the French-Swiss border. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 3. Kubenskoye lake. This shallow lake is located in Russia. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 4. Ladoga lake. Territory of Russia. 5. Lake Neuchâtel. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. Territory of Switzerland. 6. Lake Balaton. Shallow lake. Located in Hungary. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 7. Lake Baskunchak. Shallow, salty lake. Located on the territory of Russia. 8. Lake Vänern Territory of Sweden. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 9. Lake Vättern. Is located Scandinavian Peninsula. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 10. Lake Vozhe. This shallow lake is located in Russia. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 11. Lake Vygozero. It is a shallow lake. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 12. Lake Garda. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 13. Lake Ilmen. Shallow lake. Territory of Russia. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 14. Lake Imandra. Territory of Russia. 15. Lake Inarijärvi. Located in Finland. 16. Lake Como. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 17. Lake Maggiore. Located on the border of Italy and Switzerland. 18. Lake Lacha. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. Territory of Russia. It is a shallow lake. 19. Lake Lezina. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. This is a shallow lake. 20. Lake Mälaren. Part of Sweden. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 21. Lake Prespa. It is located on the border of Greece, Albania and Macedonia. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 22. Lake Päijänne. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 23. Lake Saimaa. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 24. Lake Segozero. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 25. Lake Seliger. Shallow lake. Territory of Russia. 26. Lake Topozero. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 27. Lake Shkoder. Located on the Montenegrin-Albanian border. 28. Lake Elton. Shallow, salty lake. Refers to an endorheic basin. 29. Lake Onega. Located in Russia. 30. Lake Ohrid. Located on the Macedonian-Albanian border. 31. Lake Trasimeskoe. The lake is shallow. 32. Lake Zurich. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 33. Lake Peipus-Pskov. The lake is shallow. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. The following lakes are located on the territory of Asia: 1. The Big Aral Sea. It is located on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The lake is shallow. 2. Small Aral Sea. This is a shallow, salty lake. Refers to an endorheic basin. 3. Dead Sea. It is located on the border of Palestine, Israel and Jordan. This is a salt lake. 4. Lake Alakol. This is a salt lake. 5. Lake Baikal. This is a deep water lake. Is in Eastern Siberia . Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 6. Lake Balkhash. This is a shallow lake. Refers to an endorheic basin. Territory of Kazakhstan. Lake Balkhash should be classified as fresh-salt lakes, since in the western part of the lake the water is fresh, and in the eastern part of the lake the water is salty. 7. Lake Van. This is a salt lake. Located in Turkey. 8. Dongting Lake Refers to the Pacific Ocean. 9. Lake Essey. Territory of Russia. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 10. Lake Zaisan. This is a shallow lake. 11. Lake Issyk-Kul. This is a deep water lake. Territory of Kyrgyzstan. Refers to an endorheic basin. 12. Lake Kukunor. The lake is shallow, salty. Territory of China. 13. Lake Lop Nor. This is a salty, drying lake. Territory of China. 14. Lake Nam-Tso. Salt Lake. 15. Lake Poyang. Refers to the Pacific Ocean. Shallow lake. 16. Lake Ritsa. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 17. Lake Sevan. Located in Armenia. 18. Lake Taimyr. It is a shallow lake. Territory of Russia. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 19. Lake Tengiz. This is a shallow, salty lake. Territory of Kazakhstan. 20. Lake Tonle Sap. Territory of Cambodia. Refers to the Pacific Ocean. Shallow lake. 21. Lake Tuz. This is a shallow, salty lake located in Turkey. 22. Lake Ubsu-Nur. Located on the Russian-Mongolian border. Refers to an endorheic basin. Shallow lake. 23. Lake Urmia. This is a shallow, salty lake. Located in Iran. 24. Lake Khanka. Located on the Russian-Chinese border. Refers to the Pacific Ocean. Shallow lake. 25. Lake Khubsugul. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. 26. Lake El Milh. The lake is salty. 27. Teletskoye lake. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. Territory of Russia. 28. Lake of Tiberias. Shallow lake. And Africa boasts the following lakes: 1. Lake Albert. Located on the border of Uganda and Congo. 2. Lake Victoria. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 3. Lake Kivu. Located on the Congolese-Rwandan border. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 4. Lake Mweru. Located on the Congolese-Zambian border. Shallow lake. 5. Lake Nyasa. Located on the border of Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. This is a deep water lake. 6. Lake Rudolph. Located on the Kenyan-Ethiopian border. 7. Lake Tana. Ethiopian territory. This is a shallow lake. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 8. Lake Tanganyika. This is a deep water lake. 9. Lake Chad. This is a shallow lake. Refers to an endorheic basin. 10. Lake Edward. Located on the Congolese-Ugandan border. The following lakes are located on the territory of Australia: 1. Lake Gardner. This is a salt lake. Refers to an endorheic basin. 2. Lake Mackay. This is a drying lake. 3. Lake Torrens. Shallow, salty lake. Refers to an endorheic basin. 4. Lake Eyre. Shallow, ephemeral lake. Refers to an endorheic basin. It should be noted that there is only one country on the mainland of Australia - Australia. Consequently, all the lakes located on this mainland are located on the territory of one country - Australia. There are lakes not only in the Eastern Hemisphere, but also in the Western. In the territory North America the following lakes are located: 1. Big Bear Lake. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. Territory of Canada. 2. Great Slave Lake. The lake is deep. Territory of Canada. 3. Great Salt Lake. is shallow, salt lake. Refers to an endorheic basin. 4. Upper lake. The lake is deep. 5. Lake Athabasca Located in Canada. 6. Lake Winnipeg Shallow lake. Located in Canada. 7. Lake Huron Located on the US-Canadian border. 8. Lake Managua. Shallow lake. Located in Nicaragua. 9. Lake Michigan Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 10. Lake Nicaragua. Territory of Nicaragua. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 11. Lake Ontario. Located on the US-Canadian border. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 12. Lake Erie. Located on the US-Canadian border. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 13. Deer Lake. Territory of Canada. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. And on the territory South America there are the following lakes: 1. Lake Argentino. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 2. Lake Buenos Aires. Located on the border of Chile and Argentina. This is a deep water lake. 3. Lake Lagoa Mirin. Located on the Uruguayan-Brazilian border. Shallow lake. 4. Lake Poopo. Refers to an endorheic basin. Shallow lake. 5. Lake Titicaca Located on the Bolivian-Peruvian border. Most of the lakes are located on the territory of the continents, but there are lakes located on the islands. These include: 1. Loch Neagh. Located on the island of Ireland. Shallow lake. Refers to the Atlantic Ocean. 2. Loch Ness. It is part of the channel, located on the island of Great Britain. Deep water lake. Territory of Scotland. 3. Lake Toba. Located on the island of Sumatra. Territory of Indonesia. Lakes must be classified not only geographically, but also geologically. By origin, natural and artificial lakes can be distinguished. Natural lakes are divided into ground and underground. Terrestrial natural lakes should be divided into the following types: glacial lakes, moraine lakes, river lakes, coastal lakes, mountain lakes, crater lakes, tectonic lakes, dammed lakes, floodplain lakes and failed lakes. Mountain lakes include, for example, Lake Karakul, Lake Kukunor, Lake Nam-Tso, Lake Ritsa and Lake Titicaca. To the lakes tectonic origin include such lakes as Baikal, Balaton, Lago Maggiore, Managua, Nicaragua, Prespa, Saima, Sasykkol, Tengiz and others. And the lakes glacial origin are such lakes as Lake Constance, Lake Kubenskoye, Lake Buenos Aires, Loch Ness, Seliger, Deer Lake, Lake Peipsi and others. In addition to natural lakes, there are also artificial lakes in the world. For example, Lake Aydarkul. In the ecological direction, two types of lakes can be distinguished: 1. Lakes that are part of specially protected natural areas. 2. Lakes that are not part of specially protected natural areas. For example, National parks are located on the shores of such lakes as Lake Ladoga, Lake Arkhentino, Lake Baikal, Lake Venern, Lake Pyayanne, Lake Sevan, Lake Torrens, Lake Khubsugul, Lake Shkoder. The lakes on the shores of which there are reserves include: Lake Constance, Kronotsky lake, Lake Baikal, Lake Baskunchak, Lake Taimyr, Lake Tengiz, Lake Khanka, Lake Shkoder, Lake Teletskoye and others. Ecologically, lakes can also be classified in relation to fishing, as there are lakes in the world where fishing is prohibited and lakes where fishing is not prohibited. In cultural terms, lakes can be distinguished, which are the object of world heritage UNESCO, and lakes that are not a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For example, lakes such as Kronotskoye Lake, Kurile Lake, Lake Baikal and Lake Ohrid are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Regarding the names of lakes, it should be noted that most of the lakes have the same name. But in the world there are lakes that have two or more names. For example, lakes with two names include such lakes as Lake Murten (second name - Mora), Lake Albert (second name - Nyantsa), Lake Lagoa-Mirin (second name - Laguna-Merin), Lake Nam-Tso (second name - Tengri-Nur), lake Ubsu-Nur (second name - Uvs-Nuur). And Lake Kukunor, located in China, has three names: the second name is Qinghai, the third name is Tso Ngonpo. Lakes can be classified into historical. Lakes can be divided into types according to the time of their discovery, as well as in relation to their discoverer. There are lakes in the world, on the banks of which military operations took place. For example: 1. Lake Balaton (in March 1945, the Balaton operation took place on the shore of this lake, during which this area was liberated from the German fascists). 2. Lake Sevan (in 921, the Battle of Sevan took place here, during which the Armenians defeated the Arab army). 3. Lake Trasimene (in 217 BC, there was a battle between the Carthaginians and the Romans on the shore of this lake). 4. Lake Peipus-Pskovskoye (on the shore of this lake there was Battle on the Ice April 5, 1242). It is logical that there are also lakes in the world, on the banks of which no military operations took place. In astronomical terms, terrestrial and extraterrestrial lakes can be distinguished. Extraterrestrial lakes are lakes located outside the Earth. Lakes should also be classified politically, since there are lakes in the world that are located on disputed territory, and lakes that are not in the disputed territory. In legal terms, lakes can be classified in relation to states, subjects of states and municipalities on whose territory this or that lake is located. There are lakes in the world that are located on the territory of one state, one subject of the state or one municipality. I must say that most of these lakes. For example, Lake Van is located in Turkey. Lakes located on the territory of one state should be called intrastate, since they are located within a country. Lakes located on the border of two or more states should be called international. There are enough lakes in the world that are located on the border of two states. For example, Lake Peipsi-Pskovskoye is located on the Russian-Estonian border. To the lakes located on the border three states, can be attributed African lake Victoria, which is located on the border of Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. On the border of four states is Lake Chad. There is a lake in the world that washes two parts of the world: Europe and Asia. This is the largest lake in the world in terms of area - the Caspian Sea, which washes the shores of five states: Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Turkmenistan. This lake is deep-sea, salty. I propose: 1. Consider Lake Michigan and Lake Huron one lake. 2. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan should be lakes of the second order. I want to note that you, Dear readers, are not obliged to agree with my above suggestions. As people say, my job is to propose, your job is to think.

Wayward Reservoirs

Lost lakes

The lakes are very curious, as if playing hide and seek, now disappearing from the face of the earth, then reappearing. In the spring, due to the abundance of melt water, they overflow, and in the summer they begin to shallow and suddenly completely disappear. In our country there are several such reservoirs - in the area between Onega and White lakes, as well as in Nizhny Novgorod, Novgorod and Leningrad regions. In spring and early summer, these reservoirs are not particularly different from their counterparts. Although if you look closely, in completely calm weather, when the surface of ordinary lakes is calm, it ripples and worries, and closer to the center there is something like a cycle. This is because there are deep funnel-shaped pits at the bottom of the reservoirs, into which, twisting in a spiral, water leaves.

After the flood, when the inflow of melt water weakens, the water level in these lakes drops. They quickly become shallow: first, islands appear and grow, then the bottom is exposed. And finally, there comes a moment when the reservoirs simply disappear. In the driest years, people graze cattle and mow grass in their place.

The most famous of the disappearing reservoirs are Shimozero, Kushtozero and Sukhoe. The first disappears in August, the second - in July, the third - in September. Lake Dry, for example, is connected by an underground passage with Ilmen, and Kushtozero with Onega. It used to happen that a pike released in Sukhoi with an earring or a radio sensor was later caught in Ilmen.

Scientists explain the disappearance of such lakes by purely geological reasons. These reservoirs are located in the region karst caves and nourish underground lakes, as well as various springs and springs. Sometimes a collapse occurs at the site of the funnels, and then the “drain” is clogged. In such cases, reservoirs can exist unchanged for several years, but in the end the water still dissolves limestone and dolomite rocks and washes itself new way in the dungeon.

Unusual content

Some of the natural lakes are filled with such unusual contents that one can only be surprised at the vagaries of nature. Take, for example, Lake Trinidad, located fifty kilometers from the northern part of Venezuela, near the settlement of La Brea, and filled with ... real asphalt. The lake is located in the crater of the former mud volcano, its depth is 90 meters, and the area is 46 hectares. Coming out of the bowels of the earth through the mouth of a volcano, lying on great depths oil loses volatile substances, resulting in the conversion into asphalt. All this takes place in the center of the lake basin, in a place called Mother Lake. Up to 150 thousand tons of asphalt, which is used for construction purposes, is mined in the Mother Lake, but its reserves are inexhaustible.

A person can safely walk on the surface of the lake, with the exception of its center, without fear of perishing in a viscous mass. But it is impossible to stay for a long time and linger in one place without moving: the thickness of the asphalt begins to drag on. Any object left on the surface of the lake disappears into the black abyss after a while. Scientists who explored the subsoil asphalt lake, discovered a whole cemetery of prehistoric animals - the bones of mastodons, extinct in glacial period, and even the remains of ancient lizards.

There are reserves of asphalt and in famous for its healing Dead properties sea. Many people know about its extreme salinity and unique composition of water, but not everyone has ever heard of asphalt deposits. Accumulations of asphalt, resembling resin in appearance, from time to time float to the surface and are thrown ashore by waves. Asphalt has been mined in the Dead Sea since ancient times. It is used in various industries: for building roads, tarring ships, obtaining all kinds of chemical products ... Until the middle of the 20th century, it was believed that the area Dead Sea- practically the only supplier of asphalt in the world, and only in the 50s of the last century were new deposits discovered and developed.

The hottest and most explosive

Near the Red Sea Sinai Peninsula, there is one amazing lake. It is separated from the sea by a wide bridge made of petrified shell rock. Marine fish and other representatives of the fauna live in the upper layers of the lake, bluish-green algae grow in shallow water. And the amazing thing about this lake is its temperature. At the surface, the water temperature almost all year round is invariably +16°С, at a depth of 6 meters or more it fluctuates from +48°С in winter to +60°С in summer. Because of this, all living creatures prefer to settle in the upper layer. The upper and lower tiers also differ in salinity: at the top it is 42-43 ppm, and near the bottom it is twice as rich. There are other hot and salty lakes in the world, but none of them has such an amazing vertical distribution of salinity and temperature.

The warmest body of water in the country of eternal frost is in Antarctica. The thickness of the ice covering Lake Vanda is 4 meters. Directly under the ice, the water is fresh, and at a depth it is already salty. Even in the most severe frosts, reaching -50-70°C, the temperature of the water under the ice does not drop below +6°C, and at the bottom (at a depth of 70 meters) it is +25-28°C, as if in some south sea. The most amazing thing is that there are no hot springs at the bottom of this reservoir! Wanda's secret, according to scientists, is that the lake is a kind of giant thermos. Its crystal clear and clear waters, which do not contain any microorganisms, are well warmed up by the sun through a lens of ice that refracts the sun's rays. The warmest are deep waters, which, due to their salinity, greater density and gravity, remain below and do not mix with the upper layers.

The most beautiful lake Bosumtwi is located in the Republic of Ghana, in tropical African forests, 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Kumasi. It is known as the most unpredictable body of water in the world. Bosumtwi has the shape of a regular circle, as if someone had drawn a circle with a gigantic compass and dug a hole here about 400 meters deep and 7 kilometers in diameter. The color of the water in the lake is bluish, in some places along the shores the jungle parted and form glades, on which there are small settlements. Several mountain streams flow into the lake, but not a single river flows out of it. Apparently, therefore, the water level in it is steadily rising, gradually flooding the villages located on the shore. But most of all, Bosumtwi shocks people with his explosive temper. For many months it keeps silence and calm, when suddenly it suddenly explodes: in its depths, a giant air bubble seems to burst, huge cascades of water fly up, the surface of the lake boils and rages. Gradually, Bosumtwi calms down.

Because of such explosions, a lot of fish die, and the natives collect prey with nets. Scientists believe that the cause of the explosions are bottom sediments, in which organic matter decays. The released gases accumulate to the maximum limit, and then violently escape from the bowels of the lake.

For geographers, Bosumtwi is a real mystery. Some researchers believe that the lake was formed as a result of a giant meteorite falling to Earth, others adhere to the hypothesis of an antimatter explosion that did not leave any fragments and debris behind. And finally, the most plausible version is the formation of Bosumtwi as a result of volcanic activity. It is likely that the lake, located in a mountainous region, occupies the bottom of a destroyed volcano cone that existed in ancient times.

Hiding the secret of origin

Lake Mogilnoe, located on the island of Kildin near Kola Peninsula, is considered the most "puff" body of water in the world. The height of the water in it is slightly higher than sea level, despite the fact that it is separated from the sea by only a gravel-sand barrier. Resembling a layer cake, the reservoir is divided into five completely independent, different tiers-floors. The lowest tier, located at a depth of 17-18 meters, is filled with liquid silt. Organic residues coming from the upper floors rot here. This layer is dead, deprived of oxygen, but in large quantities there is hydrogen sulfide. The only inhabitants of the first tier are some types of bacteria. On the second floor, eternal twilight reigns, the water is saturated with purple-colored bacteria, coloring it in a cherry-pink color. These bacteria actively absorb and oxidize the hydrogen sulfide coming from below, so that the deadly gas does not pass into the upper tiers.

In the third layer from the bottom, life is in full swing. There is on this floor. sea ​​stars, hedgehogs and crustaceans, as well as a special type of cod, called Kildin in honor of the island. The fourth floor is a transition zone, the water in it is moderately brackish, marine life No. But the fifth, uppermost, tier is filled with fresh (!) Water, cold and clear. Numerous inhabitants live there, typical of Arctic reservoirs. Mogilny Lake is one of the oldest. It survived several geological epochs and preserved some species of living creatures that have long disappeared in the neighboring Barents Sea. Researchers still do not know how this lake appeared and why it is divided into layers.

There is also the most lifeless body of water on the territory of Russia, in which, it would seem, there are excellent conditions for the existence of all kinds of living creatures. This is Lake Empty, located in the Kuznetsk Alatau region. All the reservoirs around are teeming with fish, and there is nothing in the Empty, despite the fact that the lakes are connected by rivers. Researchers have repeatedly tried to populate a strange body of water various types fish, giving preference to the most unpretentious, but nothing came of it: the fish did not take root. The empty remains empty. And no one can explain how it arose and why this mysterious reservoir is still devoid of any life.

But the most dangerous body of water on our planet is rightfully considered the Lake of Death, located on the island of Sicily. All its banks and waters are devoid of any vegetation and living creatures, and swimming in it is deadly. Any living being that enters this scary lake, instantly dies. It is worth a curious person to stick an arm or leg into the water - and he immediately feels a strong burning sensation, after which, pulling back his limb, he watches with horror how the skin becomes covered with blisters and burns. The chemists who analyzed the contents of the lake were quite surprised. The water of the Lake of Death contains sulfuric acid in a fairly large concentration. On this occasion, scientists have put forward several hypotheses, for example, that the lake dissolves some unknown rocks and is enriched with acids due to this. However, studies have confirmed a different version. It turned out that concentrated sulfuric acid is thrown into the Lake of Death by two sources located at its bottom.

In Algiers, near the city of Sidi Bel Abbes, there is natural lake filled with real... ink. It is clear that there are no fish or plants in the reservoir, since the ink is poisonous and is suitable only for writing with it. For a long time, people could not understand how a substance so unusual for a reservoir arises, and recently scientists have finally figured out the cause of this phenomenon. One of the rivers flowing into the lake contains a huge amount of dissolved iron salts, and the other contains all kinds of organic compounds, many of which are borrowed from peat bogs located in the river valley. Merging together into the lake basin, the streams interact with each other, and in the course of constantly occurring chemical reactions, ink is formed. Some of the locals consider the black lake to be a devilish idea, while others, on the contrary, try to benefit from it. Therefore, he has half a dozen names. Among the most famous are the Eye of the Devil, black lake and Inkwell. Well, ink from it is sold in stationery stores not only in Algeria, but also in many other countries.

author Lasukov Roman Yurievich

What are the reservoirs Lake A lake is a resting or slowly flowing significant mass of water in a natural depression of land that does not have direct contact with the sea. Stratification of lakes. Stratification is the formation of layers of water with different densities and

From the author's book

Temporary reservoirs Temporary reservoirs include small accumulations of water that occur periodically and disappear relatively quickly. They are formed in the depressions of the land after the snow melts, the recession of the flood waters of the river, or as a result of the accumulation of rain

Baikal is not just legendary lake it is still very deep.

The water in it is always clean and cold, and it owes it to the rivers and streams that flow to it from all over the world.

What rivers flow into and out of Baikal

Researchers still cannot accurately calculate how many rivers this lake has that flow into it. The rivers flowing into Baikal have beautiful names.

It is interesting that there are such rivers as the Kotochik River, which flows into Turku, and already that into Baikal itself. The tributary Upper Angara often misleads geographers who confuse it with the beautiful Angara.

There are a little more than a thousand small rivers and streams, so we’ll better deal with large rivers.

Many rivers of Baikal have their own history. The largest is the Selenga. It crosses two states and breaks up into a delta, flowing into Baikal.

This full-flowing beauty brings almost half of all water to the lake, and it receives it from its four tributaries.

The Upper Angara is considered to be the next in terms of beauty and abundance of water; this mountainous and capricious beauty can be very unpredictable even on the plain. Near Baikal it forms a bay - the Angarsk Cathedral.

The very famous Baikal-Amur Mainline stretches along most of the river. Just like the Selenga, this river has tributaries.

The waters of all the rivers flowing into Baikal bring some surprises with them. And Barguzin is no exception. Along with the waters, silt, sand and small pebbles enter Baikal.

The river was named so most likely because of the Barguzin sable, which lives here in large numbers. Barguzin carries its unruly waters through the vast expanses of the Buryat Republic.

Takes its start on mountain slopes filled mostly with rain. This river has a small lake- Balan-Tamur.

The turbulent waters of the Turks are collected from melting snow and rains, they also have tributaries. Not only tributaries, but also Lake Kotokel fills this river with water.

There are still two rivers beautiful names Sarma, Snow. That's all the rivers flowing into Baikal.

Now we can talk about what rivers flow from Baikal. This is only one river - the Angara. Proud and rebellious, whose waters are directed to meet the handsome Yenisei, being its largest tributary.

Where it originates lies the legendary shaman stone. Anglers love the river, as it has a huge number of different fish. The river has many tributaries.

Four road bridges are thrown over it, but railway bridge No. In the warm season, ships go along it. Angara has many islands.

So we learned what rivers Baikal has.

Related materials:

Films about Baikal

If you want to get acquainted with the lake, then look documentary about Baikal of the Irkutsk Scientific and Educational Center, 2003 issue. It is called - "Baikal. Legends of the Great Lake. ...

What is the transparency of Baikal's water?

Lake Baikal impresses not only with its size, surrounding nature, but also makes you admire the water. It is very transparent in the reservoir, which allows you to see the bottom of the lake, ...

The Okavango River flows on the African continent through Angola, Namibia and Botswana. It's interesting because it doesn't go anywhere. For 1,600 kilometers, it carries its waters not to the ocean, sea or lake. The Okavango forms a vast delta, spilling over the surrounding area and dissolving into the swamp. It is also interesting that this swampy lowland is located in the northwest of the Kalahari Desert. Incredible combination of swamp and desert. The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world. View of it from a height is striking in its beauty and eccentricity.

Okavango originates in the mountains of Angola, but in this country it is called Cubango. Further, it flows to the southeast and, reaching the Makgadikgadi depression in the territory of Botswana, overflows, forming a vast swamp. Scientists believe that even 10,000 years ago, the Okavango River had a completely ordinary delta, flowing into ancient lake Makgadikgadi. But over time, this reservoir dried up, leaving behind several salt lakes that exist only during the rainy season and for a short time after it. And the Okavango still carries its waters in the usual direction, only there is nowhere for it to flow - the desert is all around. The Kalahari Desert.

Kalahari - largest desert Africa south of the equator. Its area is already 600,000 square kilometers, and it continues to grow. Contrary to popular belief, deserts are not only hot sands and lack of rain. Deserts include territories in which the annual precipitation does not exceed 250-300 millimeters, and this amount is much less than the moisture consumed for evaporation. That is, it can even rain there, as, for example, in the Kalahari, where the rainy season begins in summer. The fauna of this desert is quite diverse. In addition to lizards and snakes, lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes and zebras live here. But greatest variety reaches animal world in the swamps that form the Okavango.

The Okavango Delta is not only unusual geographical feature but also a unique biosystem. In these impenetrable swamps, hundreds of species of various animals, including very rare and unusual ones, wonderfully settled down. Thanks to the swamp, dense thickets of papyrus and water lilies, this region has been preserved almost in its original form. There are few people here locals, tourists and photographers. They move here only on narrow small boats, otherwise it is simply impossible to get through the thickets of reeds. Interesting ungulates that have adapted to life in swamps live here: sitatunga antelope, marsh goats, red lychees. There are also lions and cheetahs that are accustomed to swamp life. In the Okavango Delta, the world of near-water birds is very rich and diverse.

And all this magnificent diversity on the edge of the desert is possible only thanks to the Okavango, an amazing river that dissolves into the sand, giving life.