The longest lake in the world Africa. The tallest building in the world. Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake

Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest lakes in the world, appeared, as geologists believe, about 7-10 million years ago, when the modern relief of the Earth was actively forming. This process was accompanied by serious tectonic shifts and volcanic eruptions. As a result, a series of depressions formed in the eastern region of the African continent, which eventually filled with water.
So, in the chaos of earthquakes and other natural disasters, Lake Tanganyika, one of the African Great Lakes, was born (except for Tanganyika, they include lakes, Albert, Edward, Kivu, Malawi ().
The shores of Tanganyika have been inhabited since ancient times: people have been drawn to a reliable source of water and food. Most of the Africans living on the shores of Tanganyika belong to the Bantu-speaking tribes. The name of the lake was given by the Babembe tribe. In their language, the lake was called "water rich in fish" or "etanga yanya". Over time, this phrase was transformed into Tanganyika.
Europeans first learned about the existence of Tanganyika in 1858. The palm here belongs to the English explorers Richard Burton (1821-1890) and John Speke (1827-1864), who went on a trip to East Africa to find the source of the Nile. This expedition turned out to be an incredibly difficult test even for experienced travelers: they suffered from malaria, eye diseases and insect bites, Speke's hearing and vision were weakened for a while. By the end of the journey, Richard Burton was so ill that he could no longer continue the journey, but Speke still managed to achieve their original goal: finding Tanganyika, from local residents he and his team also learned of another lake, Nyanza, later named Victoria, and the source of the Nile is now believed to be the Rukarara River in water system Kagera, which flows into Victoria.
How to study Lake Victoria Nyanza John Speke could not: most of necessary equipment was lost. It became clear that another expedition was needed. This expedition in 1866 was led by the famous African explorer David Livingston (1813-1873), whom the Africans called the "Great Lion". And again, Lake Tanganyika appeared on the path of the researchers. Second time on it northern shores Livingston visited in 1873, again looking for the source of the Nile. But, having fallen ill once again with malaria, he died in what is now Zambia. The question of the source of the Nile at that time remained unclear.
During the First World War, the lake became the scene of battles. In 1914, control over Tanganyika belonged to Germany, here was its naval base. In December 1915, the first attack on the German fleet was made. As a result of the fighting in 1916, the Allies managed to deprive Germany of control over Tanganyika. The British, entrenched on the coast, began to advance towards Kigoma (a city in modern Tanzania), and the Belgians created a military airbase in Albertville, from which planes took off, also bombing German positions in the Kigoma area.
In 1965, the lake again served as a military foothold: Ernesto Che Guevara's (1928-1967) partisan camp was set up on its western coast, where he was preparing an operation to overthrow the government of the Congo. But these plans were not destined to materialize.
This lake can be called unique in many ways. Tanganyika is the deepest freshwater reservoir in Africa (up to 1470 m), deeper on the planet is only Baikal. Living creatures have access to a depth of up to 200 m. Below, the concentration of hydrogen sulfide gradually increases and the level of oxygen decreases, and at the bottom there is no longer any current, only silt, this layer is called “fossil water” by biologists. The same layering is also characteristic of the water temperature: if in the upper layer it can rise to +30°C, then at the bottom - only +6-8°C. This phenomenon is explained by the different density of water. And the topmost layer body of water Tanganyika strikes with its purity and transparency and is visible to a depth of 30 m. Another record of Tanganyika is its length: 673 km along the north-south axis.
Great depth lakes, its relative isolation from other water bodies and tropical climate formed here a kind of biological "reservation", known mainly for its cichlids. These are fish of the cichlid family of the perch-like order. There are only about 1,300 species, while Tanganyika has 250 species. Among them there are both large ones, up to 1 m, and very small ones - no more than 2.5 cm. The most common species are about 10 cm long, flattened from the sides. Well, and most importantly, what endemic cichlids of Lake Tanganyika are known for is their bright color and graceful shape. And yet, according to those who keep these fish in aquariums, Tanganyika cichlids are very smart. Scientists agree with this opinion, although they explain this behavior of fish, of course, purely biological, and not some other reasons. In addition to cichlids, there are 150 more species of fish in Tanganyika. Every year in March, the lake hosts the Zambia National Sports Championship. fishing which attracts anglers from all over the world.
Seven varieties of crabs are also found here, five of the thirteen species of bivalve mollusks are endemic. In total, about 200 species of mollusks live in the lake. 11 out of 33 species of crustaceans living in Tanganyika are also unique. There are also many species of jellyfish and leeches. There are herons, various species of ducks and other waterfowl. Crocodiles roam along the coast nooks and crannies hippos hiding. In total, the lake and its shores are home to almost 2,000 species of plants and animals, of which about 600 are found nowhere else in the world.
Ports, the largest of which are Kigoma in Tanzania, Kalemie in the Congo and Bujumbura (the capital of Burundi), ensure the exit of ships along the Lukuga and further along the Zaire River into the Atlantic Ocean.
National parks have been opened in the DRC, Tanzania and Burundi. The most interesting of them are Gombe Stream and Mahali Mountain. But only recently they began to fulfill their functions in full: the African countries of the Tanganyika basin experienced in the 20th century. many military conflicts. The last of these took place on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998-2002, it was attended by about 20 armed groups from nine African states. The main asset of both Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountain are large colonies of chimpanzees and other primates. On the territory of these natural reserves there are safari lodges (as hotels are called in Africa in areas national parks) and campsites.

general information

Freshwater lake in East Africa.

located in tectonic basin East African fault zone of the earth's crust.
The longest in the world.

It ranks second in the world in depth among freshwater lakes.

The water level changes throughout the year (it reaches its maximum in April-May).
Countries owning the coast and water area: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi.
Major flowing rivers: Ruzizi, Malagarasi, Calambo.
Flowing river: Lukuga.
Population living on the shores of the lake: about 1 million people In total, demographers number about 10 million people in the Tanganyika basin.
The most important ports: Kalemie (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Kigoma (Tanzania), Bujumbura (Burundi).
Immediate international airports: Bujumbura (Burundi), Julius Nyerere in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

Numbers

Area: 32,900 km2.
Catchment area: 231,000 km2.
Volume: 18,900 km3.
Length: 673 km.
Width: up to 80 km.
Average depth: 570 m
Max Depth: 1470 m
Coastline length: 1328 km.
Drain: 3.6 km3.
Average annual water inflow: 64.8 km3.
Height relative to the level of the World Ocean: 773 m
The water of the lake is hard, this is caused by the presence of magnesium salts in it, the pH level: 8-9,5.

Economy

Transportation, including ferries.
Fisheries. It is estimated that about 100,000 people are professionally engaged in fishing.
Agriculture: bananas are grown on plantations near the lake, palm oil is obtained, tobacco, sorghum and wheat are cultivated in the valleys of mountainous regions.
Service sector: tourism.

Climate and weather

Subequatorial.
Average annual water surface temperature:+23.6-26.5ºС.
Average annual rainfall: 1000-1500 mm.

Curious facts

■ Richard Burton was not without a literary gift. Specialists and amateurs of geography read his serious, detailed and very entertaining travel books.
to Africa But as a writer in Britain, he is best known for translating Arabian tales"Thousand and One Nights".
■ The largest experts on cichlids, including Tanganyika cichlids, are Japanese ichthyologists. One of them is Takeshi Watanabe. gives an example of the amazing interaction of cichlids various kinds. When profundola females are preparing for spawning, leptosome juveniles always gather near them. Although profundola is a predator, it not only does not attack curious young people, but even drives away other predators from them, although not the largest ones, however. As if she knows that the "guys" -leptosomes with their fear will warn her first about the approach of a real formidable predator. For her, after all, the most important thing at this moment is to give life to offspring.
■ 98% of Tanganyika's cichlid species are endemic to this lake.
■ The legendary crocodile Gustav lives in the thickets on the banks of the Ruzizi River, a tributary of Tanganyika. The length of the amazing beast, according to unverified data, is seven meters, and its age is about a hundred years. His fame is not good: he has a lot of human victims on his account. People tried more than once to get rid of the monster, but they never managed to kill Gustav: apparently, the crocodile's life experience is tantamount to its cunning. Based on the story of the formidable ogre of the Ruzizi River in 2007, the horror film Primal Evil was filmed.
■ From wooden walkways, which are installed on the lake especially for sports fishing enthusiasts, you can see every fish at a depth of up to five meters.
■ The heart of David Livingstone is buried in Chitambo (Zambia), and the body - in London, in Westminster Abbey. On the marble plaque on his grave is engraved: "Transferred by faithful hands across land and sea, here lies David Livingstone, missionary, traveler and friend of mankind."
■ Since the early 1980s, fishing on Lake Tanganyika has intensified significantly. Having lost a sense of proportion, the fishermen very soon paid for it: over the past three decades, the population of fish schools in the lake has decreased by about a third. last years three unfavorable factors for the Tanganyika ecosystem converged: human (anthropogenic), temperature (gradual increase in temperature of both water and air) and lowering of the water level.
■ The German steamship Graf von Getzen, built in 1913, was sent to German East Africa - that was the name in 1885-1919. German colony, which included part of the lands of modern Tanzania (then Tanganyika), Rwanda and Burundi. During the First World War, the ship was used as a warship. Until in 1916, the Germans themselves flooded it: so that the British would not get it. In 1927, the Tanzanians raised the "Count" from the bottom to the surface, repaired and renamed it MV Liemba. Under this name, it regularly transported up to 200 tons of cargo and up to 600 passengers on board. Now the ship is undergoing a new reconstruction, which is again carried out by the Germans. After that, it will become a museum.
■ On the Kalambo River, which flows into Tanganyika and borders Tanzania and Zambia, there is a waterfall, which is considered the second highest in Africa after the water fall. Tugela. The total elevation difference on the airway. Kalambo is about 900 m. But this is a smooth drop, over 10 km, a sheer stream falls from a height of 215 m.

On our incredible beautiful planet There are many beautiful places in nature. Some of them have not yet been fully unraveled, they frighten with their desert silence, centuries-old trees and thousand-year-old stones. Travelers, tourists and just vacationers have long trodden the path to others. Every path has been studied there for a long time, a stone has been photographed and a path has been concreted ... Among all natural phenomena lakes can be classified as a separate category. They are not as huge as the sea, not as fast as the river, but there is something special in their magical beauty and mysterious silence. It attracts to these places like a magnet and does not want to let go back. In this compilation, you can see the 10 largest lakes in the world, which, at the same time, are simply fabulously beautiful and learn interesting facts about them.

Caspian Sea

Despite its inaccurate name, it is the largest lake on our planet. It is located at the junction of Europe with Asia, and it got its name because of its huge size. In form it resembles latin letter S. The length of the coastline of the Caspian Sea is almost 7,000 kilometers. Its maximum depth is 1025 meters above sea level. In this regard, it is second only to Baikal.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

Victoria

This lake is the third largest in the world and the second of fresh lakes. It is located simultaneously on the territory of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. British traveler John Henning Speke discovered this lake in 1858 and named it after Queen Victoria. Its area is 68 thousand square meters. km, length 320 km, maximum width 275 km. north coast This lake is crossed by the equator. 30 million people live in the vicinity of the lake.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

Michigan

The area of ​​this North American lake is approximately 57,750 sq. km. It is the only one of the Great Lakes that is entirely within the United States. It is covered with ice for about four months of the year. The states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin have access to the lake.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

Huron

One of the North American Great Lakes, which is located both in the United States and in Canada. It is located a little north of the lake Michigan, and is connected to it by the Strait of Mackinac. The Huron area is approximately 59.6 thousand km2 (the second largest among the Great Lakes). The state of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario overlook this lake. The name was given to him by the French, which means it is the name of one of the Indian tribes.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

Upper

The largest, coldest and deepest of the North American Great Lakes, the second largest in the world, the largest in the world of freshwater. The origin of the Upper Lake is associated with the melting of the ice sheet, during the retreat of which a number of large lakes were formed, which changed their outlines many times.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

Aral Sea

This salt lake Central Asia, on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Over the past few decades, the water level in it has been constantly decreasing due to the constant withdrawal of water from the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers for irrigation purposes. Water flowing from the fields into these two rivers has caused the deposition of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals on the bottom of the lake. Dust storms lift and carry chemicals over long distances. Therefore, local residents are very ill with respiratory and other diseases.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

Tanganyika

A large lake located in central Africa.

It was discovered in 1858 by English travelers R. Burton and J. Speke. Its shores unite four countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi. Its area reaches 34 thousand sq. km. Its shore consists mainly of rocks. Hippos, crocodiles are found in the lake, fishing and navigation are well developed. Living organisms are found in this lake only up to 200 meters deep, and then the water is saturated with concentrated hydrogen sulfide.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

Baikal

Most deep lake our planet. It is located in Southern Siberia and has tectonic origin. The lake and the area around it are unique in terms of the quantity and diversity of their flora and fauna. More than half of this lake is covered with ice. Baikal is surrounded by mountain ranges from all sides.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

big Bear Lake

Most large lake Canada, which is located on the Arctic Circle. It has an outflow to the Mackenzie River. There you can see incredibly beautiful pictures.

In contact with

Classmates

In contact with

Classmates

Nyasa

This lake is simultaneously located in Africa, in Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi. Its area is approximately 30.8 thousand km. sq., and the depth is up to 706 m. The shores are very high and rocky. This reservoir is very rich in fish, and there are also crocodiles, hippos, and various waterfowl.

In contact with

Classmates

These incredible natural water reservoirs amaze with their beauty and frighten with the world that is hidden in their depths. If you liked this information and find it useful, please share it with your friends.

Tangonyika - a lake 650 km long

Tanganyika is the largest lake in Central Africa, besides long lake in the world. This is one of deepest lakes and very ancient in origin. In terms of depth and volume, Tanganyika is second only to Baikal. On the coastline of the lake, with a length of 1900 kilometers, there are four states - the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Tanzania and Burundi. The length of Tanganyika is 650 kilometers, and the width in different parts varies from 40 to 80 kilometers (the length of Baikal is 636 km). Its surface area is 34 thousand square kilometers, and its depth reaches 1470 meters.

The coastal landscapes of Tanganyika are huge rocks, and only on the eastern side of the lake are the shores gentle. On the western part of the coast, the reef zone that forms the coastline is dotted with bays and bays and reaches 2000 meters in height.

Who lives on the lake?

Several tributaries feed Lake Tanganyika, and the Lukuga River flowing from it originates on the west coast and, connecting with the Zaire River, flows into the Atlantic.

The lake is inhabited by hippos, crocodiles, many waterfowl.

The antiquity of the lake and the long period of isolation contributed to the development a large number endemic (found exclusively in one specific place) species of organisms. So, among more than two hundred varieties of fish living in the lake, about 170 are endemic.

History of life in the lake

Lake Tanganyika is inhabited up to about two hundred meters from the surface, since below this level the water contains a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide, and life in these conditions is impossible.

Tanganyika is very interesting and unusual in its natural composition. Its water is clear and fresh, but due to certain reasons, organisms live in the lake, the usual habitat of which is sea salt water.

The researchers suggest that the clue lies in the history of the lake itself. Its age is many millions of years, and it is the same as it was in ancient times, while other lakes have changed over time or disappeared altogether.

By the way, the largest lake in the world is the Caspian Sea.

Alexey Gerasimenko, Samogo.Net

The largest freshwater lake in the world

The Caspian Sea is the largest salt lake

There are a lot of interesting things in the world and every year we learn more and more of something new unknown. Of course, many can say that the topic of lakes has been studied for a long time, and in the school curriculum in geography lessons, we often had to memorize some details. But it is worth noting that textbooks are not written every day, and facts and discoveries happen almost every minute.

Who among us remembers what a lake is in general?

After all, lakes are not part of the World Ocean, but simply a closed depression of a certain piece of land, where underground and surface water. In the first place is the Caspian Sea, it is called the sea, but in fact, it is a salt lake located at the junction of Asia and Europe. It may be called the sea, because it is salty, and the area of ​​​​the Caspian Sea is 372,000 square kilometers.

American Lake Superior

But the largest freshwater lake is Lake Superior, its area is 82,000 square kilometers. This lake is bordered to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario, and to the west and south by the US states (Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin). Lake Superior was formed from a melting glacier, so the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthis body of water is constantly changing, and other large lakes appear next to it.

The shores, along with the islands, of this lake are very beautiful and picturesque. In places they are rocky and steep, and the coastline itself is divided into several parts. To facilitate energy, navigation, lake level fluctuations are regulated artificially. In summer, the highest level is observed, and in winter the lowest (seasonal fluctuations - with an amplitude of 30 to 60 cm). The depth of the Upper Lake reaches 393 meters.

By the way, Lake Superior is the largest lake in North America.

Evgenia Antonishkis, Samogo.Net

Lakes are nothing but natural reservoirs formed in land areas of different size and depth. According to some reports, more than 67% of the fresh water of our planet is concentrated in lakes. Despite the fact that the depth and size of the lakes can be completely different, some of them are still striking in their scale. After reading this article, you can confidently answer the question of which is the deepest lake in the world that every tourist should visit.

1. Lake Baikal

Baikal is the deepest lake not only in Russia, but also on the whole planet. It is located in the southern part Eastern Siberia and rightfully bears the title of "the world's largest natural reservoir fresh water", since it contains more than 20% of the total amount of fresh water on the surface of the Earth. What is the depth of the deepest lake in the world? Lake Baikal reaches 1642 meters in depth! More than 1,700 species of fauna and flora live in it, and some of them cannot be found in any other body of water on the planet. In addition to being the deepest lake on Earth, Baikal is also known as one of the oldest lakes. Its age is over 30 million years. And this despite the fact that the average duration of the existence of lakes, as a rule, does not exceed 15,000 years! It is not surprising that Lake Baikal is listed as a World cultural heritage UNESCO.

2. Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest and longest lake in the world. At the same time, it is the deepest lake in Africa. The depth of this reservoir is 1470 meters, and its length is 673 kilometers. Thanks to such an impressive size, the lake is located on the territory of 4 countries at the same time - Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi. Tanganyika was discovered by chance when, in 1858, British explorers Richard Burton and John Speke discovered it while exploring the headwaters of the Nile River. In this reservoir there are many unique and interesting species of waterfowl, fish, crocodiles and hippos. This lake aroused particular interest after the publication in one of the magazines of the story that a nine-meter crocodile living in the waters of Tanganyika killed several dozen tourists.

3. Caspian Sea

Despite the fact that this body of water is called the sea (due to the presence of oceanic-type crust at its base), in its essence and size it is rather a lake.

Moreover, the Caspian Sea is the largest on Earth drainless lake, in which is salty water. This is located natural reservoir between Asia and Europe, and its waters wash the shores of 5 countries of the world - Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. total area The lake is 371,000 square kilometers and its depth is 1,025 meters. More than 130 rivers of various sizes flow into the Caspian, the largest of which is the Volga River. The fauna of this lake is very diverse and rich - it is home to many sturgeon and other fish species, as well as a unique Caspian seal and other inhabitants.

4. Lake Vostok

The uniqueness of this lake is that it is covered with a four-kilometer layer of ice, thanks to which it is known as the deepest subglacial lake on the planet. This is located unusual reservoir in Antarctica, not far from the famous Russian station "Vostok", whose name it bears. According to some reports, the depth of the lake, which was discovered relatively recently - in 1996, is about 1200 meters. Studies of the reservoir continue to this day, because only in 2012, scientists managed to reach its surface, while drilling a many-kilometer layer of ice. This fact is also surprising in that drilling continued for a long 20 years!

5. Lake San Martin (O'Higgins)

This fjord-like body of water is located at an altitude of more than 250 meters above sea level in Patagonia, on the border between Argentina and Chile. The depth of the lake is 836 meters, and its total area reaches 1058 square kilometers. The origin of the name of this reservoir is also interesting. The lake was named after the heroes who fought for freedom. South America(Bernardo O'Higgins, a Chilean citizen, and José de San Martin, who lived in Argentina). That is why in Chile it is called O'Higgins, and in Argentina - San Martin. The lake has a distinctive feature - clear water milky blue. It got this color due to the remains of stone deposits that fall into the water with the melt waters of distant glaciers, and subsequently settle on its bottom.

Natural attractions are scattered all over the planet and attract tourists, no less than museums and architectural objects of antiquity. In the list of the most visited objects, lakes occupy a leading position. picturesque corners The lands are pleasing to the eye and allow you to relax in the bosom of nature. Some are impressive in their size and resemble the sea, since it is not possible to see the opposite coast.

Lakes are also a source of fresh water, vital arteries of their regions. Nature reserves can exist next to them, enterprises can be built nearby, and excursion tours can be organized. The economy and tourism are often directly linked to the lakes and their surroundings. As for the environmental component, much attention has also been paid to it in recent decades.

The largest lakes on earth

List, photo with titles and description

Caspian Sea (436,000 km²)

It is located on the territory of five states at once, including Russia. Its water is brackish. Five rivers flow. The water level fluctuates at around 27 meters below sea level. Eat large peninsulas and about fifty islands of various sizes. On the coast there are ports and resort towns as well as smaller towns. Animal and vegetable worlds varied. The climate and water temperature are changeable.

Upper (82100 km²)

It is located in the United States and Canada, is part of the Great Lakes system. Of the fresh - the largest in the world. The Nipigon River flows in, Saint Mary's flows out. The depth is impressive and in some places reaches four hundred meters. Although the temperatures here are not high, the surface is not covered with ice even for winter period as opposed to the coastline. There are several ports. There are many relatively rare species of fish in the local waters.

Victoria (68870 km²)

It is located on the territory of three South African countries. The average depth is about forty meters. The water is fresh. Since 1954, when the dam was built, it has actually been turned into a reservoir. There are many small islands. The Kagera River flows in, the White Nile flows out. average temperature air in the lake area: +20-+22°C. There are two rainy seasons in a year. Fishing and an increase in the population on the coast have led to a deterioration in the ecological situation.

Huron (59600 km²)

It is located in the United States and Canada, is part of the Great Lakes system. The Strait of Mackinac connects it to neighboring Lake Michigan. The St. Marys River flows in, the St. Clair flows out. The average depth is within sixty meters. There are many islands and bays. Since the middle of the last century, the fish population has been recovering, fry are being released, and representatives of the authorities are closely monitoring the ecological background.

Michigan (58,000 km²)

The only one of the Great Lakes system located entirely in the United States. The Strait of Mackinac connects it to neighboring Lake Huron. The water is fresh. The maximum depth is 281 meters. Height above sea level - 177 meters. Four months of the year the surface is covered with ice. There are quite major islands, and on the coast there are several cities.

Tanganyika (32600 km²)

Located on four countries in Central Africa. The longest freshwater lake on the planet. Included in the Congo Basin. The depth at the bottom reaches 1470 meters. The water temperature on the surface is from +24°C. The fauna is represented by two thousand species, of which almost a third lives in a limited area. Fishing and waste dumping in the northern part of the lake has led to its pollution.

Baikal (31500 km²)

Located in Russia. The largest freshwater in Europe. Many rivers flow in, but only one flows out - the Neva. In its water area there are natural attractions of various types, including the Nizhnesvirsky Reserve. There are also architectural monuments. Also memorials. Among the islands, Valaam is more famous than others. Shipping is developed, used in economic activity and tourism.

Balkhash (16400 km²)

Located in Kazakhstan. Part of the reservoir is freshwater, part is salt water. These zones are separated by a narrow strait. Several rivers flow. The average depth is less than six meters. On each of the four cardinal points, the lake is surrounded different types terrain. East - sandy massif, west - desert, south - mountains, north - steppe. The fauna is small both in species and in total.

East (12500 km²)

Located in Antarctica. The largest of the subglacial. Nearby is the Russian station of the same name. The absolute depth is more than 1200 meters. The water temperature reaches +10°C, the heating comes from underground geothermal sources. To get to the lake, I had to spend a decade, make accurate calculations and drill a well. Research on water and the microorganisms living in it continues.

Lake Onega (9720 km²)

Located in Russia. Many rivers flow into the water area, more than one and a half thousand islands. The average depth is 30 meters. Part of the coast is swampy, part is covered with taiga forests. There are two ports and several settlements of different status. Lots of fish, including rare breeds. Since industrial enterprises are located on the lake, the ecological state of the territory is deteriorating.

Titicaca (8372 km²)

Located in Peru and Bolivia. The largest in terms of fresh water reserves in the region. There are several cities and towns on the coast, there are settlements of aborigines who have preserved many traditions, including economic ones, of their ancestors. Shipping is developed. The average depth is 107 meters. Height above sea level - 3812 meters. About three hundred rivers flow in, and only Desaguadero flows out.

Nicaragua (8264 km²)

Located in the country of the same name. Among freshwater - the only place where you can meet sharks. The average depth is 13 meters. On the surface there are large waves, sometimes there are storms. The islands are numerous, united in groups. The Tipitapa River flows in, and the San Juan flows out. Nicaragua is associated with by the caribbean through the shipping channel. A canal between the oceans is also under construction, which will pass through the lake.

Athabasca (7850 km²)

Located in Canada. Greatest depth- 124 meters. The Slave and Mackenzie rivers flow out, and the Athabasca flows into it. Deposits of uranium and gold were discovered on the coast, which led to the emergence of mines and active mining, but in the early 80s of the last century, work was curtailed. There are sand dunes on the south coast. There are more than twenty species of fish in the lake.

Taimyr (6990 km²)

It is located in Russia on the peninsula of the same name beyond the Arctic Circle. The climatic zone is tundra with occasional areas of permafrost. Several rivers flow into it, and Taimyr flows through it, which has an addition to the name "Upper" and "Lower" depending on its position. Arctic fish are found in the waters of the lake, the fauna is represented by a very small number of species.

Turkana (6405 km²)

Located in Kenya and Ethiopia. It has a second name - Rudolf. There are three islands in its water area. Several rivers flow in, none flow out. It is famous for its crocodiles, which are impressive in size and numerous. Important archaeological finds related to ancient people and the geography of the area were made in the district in different periods.

Reindeer Lake (6330 km²)

Located in Canada. Origin - glacial. The average depth is 17 meters. From late spring to early summer, the surface is covered with ice. The lake has become a venue for sport fishing competitions. The coast is sparsely populated. One of the natural attractions is Deep Bay, which was formed due to the fall of a meteorite one hundred million years ago.

Issyk-Kul (6200 km²)

Located in Kyrgyzstan. Height above sea level - more than 1600 meters. The water is brackish. The lake is endorheic, and about eighty tributaries flow into it. There are four bays, each one is used but not actively. The climate is mixed - sea and mountain, which attracts tourists. Coastal settlements vary in size, but there are quite a few of them.

Urmia (6001 km²)

Located in Iran. The largest lake in the Middle and Near East. The water is salty. The lake is drainless. The greatest depth is 16 meters. There are over a hundred islands, some with pistachio forests. The surface does not freeze. Shipping is developed and active. The appearance of a dam in 2008 divided the water area into two parts and had a negative impact on the environment.

Vänern (5545 km²)

Located in Sweden. The largest in the country. From December it is covered with ice, it is on the surface until mid-spring, but the layer is not thick and periodically thaws. The average depth is 27 meters. There are small islands in the water area, there are three large ones. They, like the lake, are included in national park. Approximately 30 rivers flow. Major ports used all year round. Developed fishing.

Winnipegosis (5403 km²)

Located in Canada. The average depth is about 12 meters. Altitude above sea level - 254 meters. On the coast there are three large settlements. Developed fishing. There are a sufficient number of fish species, but the emphasis is on trout. Since there were some problems with the environment, the authorities created two reserves in the district and are engaged in the restoration of populations of rare species.

Albert (5299 km²)

Located in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Height above sea level - 615 meters. Distance to the deep point from the surface - 58 meters. The bottom is mostly without sharp drops. Two rivers flow in - one flows out, which is a tributary of the Nile. Shipping is developed, but weak. There are many kinds of fish. The water temperature is high all year round, reaching 30 °C.

Mweru (5120 km²)

Located in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Height above sea level - 917 meters. The average depth is about seven and a half meters. The water is fresh. The largest flowing river is the Luapula. Flowing - Luvois. The rainy season has little effect on the water level in the lake, which makes it different from other reservoirs in the region. There are many fishing villages along the coast.

Nettilling (5066 km²)

Located in Canada. Height above sea level - 30 meters. The average depth is 20 meters. It is fed by small rivers, as well as Lake Amadzhuak, located in southbound. The eastern part is shallow and includes three bays. Since ice is almost always here, it is difficult for fish to survive here. Only three species have adapted to local conditions. Caribou live near the lake.

The name of the longest lake sounds like Tanganyika. This lake is the largest in Central Africa. In addition, it is the longest lake in the world. Tanganyika is the oldest and deepest lake. Only the lake is inferior to Baikal in its volume and depth.

Coastline The lake stretches for 1900 kilometers and there are four states on this territory: Zambia, Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The longest lake is 650 kilometers long and 40 to 80 kilometers wide. It is worth noting that the longest lake in Russia, Baikal, has a length of 636 kilometers. The surface area of ​​Tanganyika is 34,000 square kilometers. At the same time, the depth of the longest lake in the world is 1470 meters.

IN coastal zones lakes are big rocks, and only East End The lake has flat shores. From the west, a reef zone is formed, which has bays and bays and reaches 2000 meters in height. The longest lake in the world has several tributaries that feed it. Also, the Lukuga River flows out of the lake, which connects with the Zaire River and both of them already flow into the Atlantic.

Hippos, various water birds and crocodiles live in the longest lake. Due to the fact that the lake is ancient, this has caused the development of many endemic organisms in it, that is, those that are found only in a certain place. Thus, among the three hundred varieties of fish that can be found in the lake, about 170 are endemic. The longest lake in the world is inhabited only up to two hundred meters, because below the water already has a concentration of hydrogen sulfide. And everyone knows perfectly well that life in such conditions is simply impossible.

The longest lake in Africa is quite unusual, especially in terms of its natural composition. The water looks clear and fresh, but for unknown reasons, the longest lake in the world is home to organisms that can only survive in sea and salt water. Many scientists have come to the conclusion that this mystery can only be solved in the history of Tanganyika. The age of this lake is millions of years old, and it has not even changed since those times. But other lakes of the world changed over time or disappeared altogether.

A lake is a natural body of water limited by the boundaries of the lake bed and not having direct communication with the sea or ocean. In total, there are approximately 5 million lakes of various sizes in the world. The total area of ​​their water surface is 2,500,000 sq. km, which is 1.8% of the surface of our planet. Some lakes are very tiny, and the largest are comparable in size to some seas.

1. Caspian (371,000 sq. km)

The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world. The peoples who lived in different time on its banks, gave it up to 70 names. There is a theory that about 10,000 years ago the Black and Caspian Seas were a single body of water, and now the Caspian is the largest in the world. salt lake. The current name of the lake comes from the tribes of the Caspians, who inhabited in the second millennium BC. e. southeast of Transcaucasia. Now the territories of five states go to the shores of the Caspian Sea: the largest coastline belongs to Turkmenistan, and the rest of the shores are divided by Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan. The Iranians, for example, call it the Khazar Sea.
Although formally the Caspian is a lake, since it does not have access to the sea, but at the same time it has an oceanic crust under it. This is the largest lake on the planet, to a greater extent due to the fact that the largest European river, the Volga, flows into it. It cannot be called an endorheic reservoir either, since water from the Caspian Sea enters the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, carrying excess salt from the basin.
The water level in the Caspian is subject to strong fluctuations. A particularly noticeable drop in the water level was observed in the last century, when hydropower plants were built one after another on the Volga, reducing the flow of the largest donor of the Caspian. To prevent this, a dam was even built to block the flow of water into Kara-Bogaz-Gol. But the decision was unsuccessful - soon the bay almost dried up, and the level of the Caspian Sea began to rise rapidly. In the end, in 1992, the dam was blown up, after which the Kara-Bogaz-Gol was again filled with water, and the sea level stabilized. In recent years, a gradual decrease in the level of the Caspian Sea has been observed again.

2. Upper (82,414 sq. km)

Lake Superior is part of the American Great Lakes system. On its northern shores is the territory of Canada, and on the south - the United States. The average depth of the lake is 147 meters. This is the largest water surface in terms of size. freshwater lake peace. It often plays out violent storms with waves up to 10 m high. Among the locals, legends about a ghost ship and mysterious waves are popular.
Due to the turbulent nature of the lake, many ships rest at its bottom, unable to cope with the waves, including huge bulk carriers. This is not at all surprising, given the nature of the local weather. Even in the distant past, the Indians who lived along the shores of the Great Lakes observed them incredibly high waves, which arose quite unexpectedly and fell on the shore, demolishing everything in its path. They called them "Three Sisters". Scientists still do not know the reasons that generate such huge waves.
There are several islands on Lake Superior, the largest of which is Isle Royal, 72 km long and 12 km wide. It is now a national park.

It is difficult to scare a Russian person with anything, especially bad roads. Even safe tracks take thousands of lives a year, let alone those a...

3. Victoria (69,485 sq km)

This Central African lake is the second largest freshwater body of water in the world and the largest in Africa. It is located on the territory three states: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Its coastline has a length of 7000 kilometers, and the average depth is 40 m (maximum - 80 m).
This is the warmest large lakes in the world, since the upper layer of water several meters thick warms up to 35 degrees in it, and even in July (the coldest month here) the water is not colder than 20 degrees. The English discovered this lake in the 19th century and named it after their queen, while the local Africans call it Nyanza. They tried to find a common name for the peoples inhabiting its shores, but so far to no avail. Fishermen, confident in the infinity of lake resources, call it "the lake of the gods."
Nyanza gradually languishes, and fertilizers and pesticides, washed off by rains from the surrounding fields, kill it. This provoked the rapid development of water hyacinth on the surface of the lake, which instantly grows, depriving the inhabitants of the lake depths of light and oxygen: the fish die, and the fishermen's boats get stuck in the thickets of hyacinth. Fishermen, watching the decline in catch, fall into pessimism. Scientists believe that Victoria is about 400,000 years old. For my long history the lake dried up three times, but if nothing is done today, it may finally die.

4. Huron (59,600 sq km)

Huron is the second largest lake in the Great Lakes system. Its shores are divided between the Canadian province of Ontario and US state Michigan. The depth of the lake reaches 229 meters, but in the southern part of the water area it is shallower. A depth of 1.5 m stretches from the shore for 10 meters. The lake is named after the Indian tribe of the Hurons, who once inhabited its shores. The bottom of the Huron is a graveyard of ships that sank during storms and others were washed ashore. The shores of the lake are very picturesque, with rich fauna and flora, so they attract many vacationers. But in winter it often happens here bad weather because of the winds from any of the three oceans surrounding North America, so it is best to get here on vacation in the summer. Huron is connected to Lake Michigan by the Strait of Mackinac or Mackinac. Sometimes these lakes are considered a single lake due to similar characteristics.
Currently, the ecology of the Great Lakes is rapidly deteriorating. Many species of fish have disappeared in them, and the chemical composition of the water is changing. The governments of the United States and Canada have developed a decades-long program to improve the local ecosystem.

On our planet there are such areas where a person experiences special sensations: a surge of energy, euphoria, a desire to improve or spiritually...

5. Michigan (58,000 sq km)

Of all the Great Lakes, only Michigan is located entirely within the United States and is therefore considered the largest lake in this country. Hydrographically, Michigan forms a single whole with Lake Huron, although geographers consider them separately. The Michigan Canal is connected to largest river North American Mississippi. The depth of the lake reaches 85 m. Translated from the language of the Indians, the name of the lake means " big water”, which is no coincidence, because Michigan is quite a bit inferior in size to Huron and Lake Superior. There is even a myth about their monster - the "plesiosaur" (so that the Scots are not conceited). To this was added gossip about a blue-eyed werewolf terrorizing the locals.

6. Tanganyika (32,893 sq km)

There is another one in Central Africa huge lake Tanganyika medium depth 570 m with a maximum of 1470 m. This is the longest freshwater lake in the world with a coastline of 1828 km, which makes it more like a river on the maps. There are many species of fish in Tanganyika, of which 170 live only here. There are also various mollusks, as well as leeches, and larger animals - hippos, crocodiles and herons. But only 10% of the waters of the lake, located near the surface and containing oxygen, are suitable for life. From a depth of 100 m, the water becomes completely dead. ecological situation on the lake worsens industrial activity and household waste. Because of the poisoned water, epidemics often break out along the shores of the lake. The expansion of the water hyacinth on the surface of the lake continues.

7. Baikal (31,722 sq. km)

Lake Baikal is the deepest (1642 m) and has the largest supply of clean fresh water in the world. The coastline of the lake stretches for 2100 km. Baikal is surrounded on all sides by mountains and taiga, belonging to Irkutsk region and Buryatia. The lake stretches for 620 km from the southwest to the northeast, forming a crescent-shaped figure. 330 rivers flow into Baikal, and the runoff occurs through the only river Angara. In the lake itself and on its shores, there are unique species of plants and animals, many of which live only here. Local peoples call Baikal the sea, which it deserves.

Our planet has a variety of dangerous places, which in Lately began to attract special category extreme tourists looking for a...

8. Big Bear Lake (31,080 sq km)

Great Bear Lake is considered the largest inland body of water located entirely in Canada. Its maximum depth is 413 meters. The Great Bear Lake is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada at the latitude of the Arctic Circle. The height above sea level is 186 m. The basin of the lake was formed by a glacier moving south in the distant past. The Great Bear River originates from the lake, which flows downstream into the Mackenzie River, which continues its course to the Beaufort Sea.
Gilbert Labin discovered uranium deposits near the lake in 1930, which contributed to the history of our civilization. It was from here that uranium and plutonium were taken and enriched, from which the first atomic charges were made, two of which were intended for the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Later, due to the unprofitability of mining, the local mine was closed when new uranium deposits were found in other parts of Canada. The Big Bear Lake is navigable, the main ports are Deline and Port Radium. The lake is freed from ice usually not earlier than the end of July.

9. Malawi (Nyasa) (30,044 sq km)

Nyasa is a component of the African Great Lakes and is the third largest natural body of water in Africa. The maximum depth of Lake Malawi is 706 m, which makes it the sixth in the world and the second in Africa in this indicator.
This lake is of tectonic origin. It contains 7% of the world's fresh water reserves. It is located in the south of East Africa rift valley, V deep depression passing through such countries as Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi. 14 rivers flow into Lake Nyasa, including such large ones as the North and South Rukuru, Ruhuhu, Dwangwa and Bua, and the flow is through the Shire River, which flows from south side lake and is a tributary of the Zambezi. The shores of the lake are steep, strong storms with surf are not uncommon on it, which complicate navigation here.

You can look at the flowing water endlessly. And if the water falls from a great height, then even more so. Fortunately, nature spoils us with such chic ...

10. Great Slave Lake (28,930 sq km)

This lake is the deepest in the whole North America, since its depth reaches 614 meters. It is located in Canada, in the Northwest Territories, and its height above sea level is 156 meters. Like other large lakes in this part of Canada, Great Slave Lake has the same glacial origin. His eastern and southern shores rest against the granite rocks of the Canadian Shield, while the western and northern ones go to the Badlands - this is the name of the Canadian tundra. The lake is cold, it is covered with ice from October to June.
The culprits strange name the lake became the Spavie Indians who lived on its shores in the past. The name of the tribe turned out to be consonant English word“slave” - “slave” or “slave”, hence such a distortion arose.