10 largest lakes in the world

The world’s largest lakes are remarkable natural wonders, each with unique features and global significance. The Caspian Sea, despite its name, is the largest enclosed inland water body on Earth, while Lake Superior stands as the biggest freshwater lake by surface area.

Great Slave Lake 27 200 sq km One of North America s deepest lakes — Image credit:

Great Slave Lake – 27,200 sq km One of North America’s deepest lakes.

Great Slave Lake has a maximum depth of over 600 meters, making it the deepest lake in North America.

Lake Malawi 29 600 sq km Also called Lake Nyasa known for its exceptional biodiversity — Image credit:

Lake Malawi – 29,600 sq km Also called Lake Nyasa, known for its exceptional biodiversity.

Lake Malawi is home to more fish species than any other lake in the world.

Great Bear Lake 31 080 31 153 sq km Canada s largest lake entirely within its borders — Image credit:

Great Bear Lake – 31,080–31,153 sq km Canada’s largest lake entirely within its borders.

Great Bear Lake remains frozen for about eight months each year.

Lake Baikal 31 722 sq km The world s deepest and oldest freshwater lake located in Russia — Image credit:

Lake Baikal – 31,722 sq km The world’s deepest and oldest freshwater lake, located in Russia.

Lake Baikal holds about 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater reserves.

Lake Victoria 59 940 68 800 sq km Africa s largest lake shared by Tanzania Uganda and Kenya — Image credit:

Lake Victoria – 59,940–68,800 sq km Africa’s largest lake, shared by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

Lake Victoria is the source of the White Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River.

Lake Tanganyika 32 900 sq km One of the oldest and deepest lakes spanning Tanzania DRC Burundi and Zambia — Image credit:

Lake Tanganyika – 32,900 sq km One of the oldest and deepest lakes, spanning Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and Zambia.

Lake Tanganyika is the second-deepest lake in the world after Lake Baikal.

Lake Michigan 58 000 sq km The only Great Lake entirely within the United States — Image credit:

Lake Michigan – 58,000 sq km The only Great Lake entirely within the United States.

Lake Michigan connects to Lake Huron through the Straits of Mackinac.Lake Michigan connects to Lake Huron through the Straits of Mackinack.

Lake Huron 59 590 sq km Part of the Great Lakes system located between Canada and the United States — Image credit:

Lake Huron – 59,590 sq km Part of the Great Lakes system, located between Canada and the United States.

Lake Huron includes Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world.

Lake Superior 82 100 sq km The largest freshwater lake by surface area shared by the United States and Canada — Image credit:

Lake Superior – 82,100 sq km The largest freshwater lake by surface area, shared by the United States and Canada.

Lake Superior contains about 10% of the world’s surface freshwater.

Caspian Sea 371 000 sq km Though called a sea it is the world s largest lake because it is completely landlocked — Image credit:

Caspian Sea – 371,000 sq km Though called a sea, it is the world’s largest lake because it is completely landlocked.

The Caspian Sea has both freshwater and saltwater characteristics, making it unique among lakes.

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10 largest lakes in the world