Many consider the most beautiful lakes to be those located nearby and familiar from childhood. Some people prefer ponds where the whole family goes on vacation year after year. However, there are lakes on Earth that attract tourists from all over the world. These are real miracles of nature, legends about which began to be composed back in time immemorial.

Baikal

Lake Baikal in winter

It is customary to talk about the largest lake on the planet in superlatives. Baikal is called the most beautiful and majestic lake on Earth. There are many poems, fairy tales and legends written about him. Baikal water is so clear that objects lying at a depth of 40 m can be seen through it.

This is the deepest lake in the world. It was formed in a tectonic depression, so the maximum depth reaches 1642 m. Almost 20% of the world's fresh water is stored in the huge bowl. Seismic activity in the Baikal region is very high, and several earthquakes occur a year in the vicinity of the giant reservoir. However, they are so small that most tremors are detected only by highly sensitive equipment.

Loch Ness

Ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness

The most mysterious lake on the planet attracts tourists with legends about the monster living here. It is interesting that legends about him appeared among the ancient Celts. Every year, more than half a million travelers from all over the world rush to the shores of a Scottish reservoir to see the mysterious lake monster Nessie.

Like Baikal for Russia, Loch Ness is the largest reservoir of fresh water in the UK. The water of Loch Ness contains a lot of suspended peat, so it is not transparent and does not allow video recording at depth.

Como

Yachts against the backdrop of the Alpine mountains on Lake Como

The natural pearl of Italy is recognized as one of the deepest lakes in the Old World. The maximum depth of Como reaches 410 m. Tourists come here to spend time among stunningly beautiful nature and breathe in the clean air of the Alpine foothills.

Picturesque slopes protect the reservoir from cold winds, so Como has a mild climate. Since the 19th century, the Italian lake has become a favorite vacation spot for Europeans. It is considered a real paradise for swimmers. From May until the end of October, the temperature of the lake water does not drop below +24°C.

Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park

The popular national park in Croatia includes not one, but 16 large lakes, located in a picturesque cascade with a height difference of 130 m. The shores of these lakes are covered with beech and pine forests and attract travelers with ancient karst caves and beautiful waterfalls. Plitvice Lakes are beautiful at any time of the year. In summer you can see schools of river trout in the clear water. In winter, the surrounding forests are covered in snow, the waterfalls freeze and turn into pillars of ice sparkling in the sun.

Michigan

View of Chicago from Lake Michigan

The largest freshwater lake in the USA has an area of ​​57.75 thousand square meters. km. It is part of the Great Lakes system and is connected by straits to Lake Hudson and the majestic Mississippi River. The name "Michigan" was given to the lake by local Indians. Translated from one of their dialects, it means “big water.”

In the first half of the 20th century, industrial cities grew on the shores of the lake. Harmful chemical discharges nearly destroyed Michigan's natural environment. However, in the 1960s, environmentalists sounded the alarm, and the lake water was saved. Today, fishing enthusiasts come to Michigan. Salmon, pike perch, trout, salmon, carp and perch are caught in the lake. In addition, there are about 30 beaches covered with pure white sand scattered along the shores of Michigan.

Issyk-Kul

Lake Issyk-Kul against the backdrop of mountains

The largest lake in Kyrgyzstan is one of the largest alpine lakes in the world - it lies at an altitude of 1609 m. In terms of transparency, Issyk-Kul is second only to Baikal. Mild winters and a large amount of heat accumulated over the summer prevent this lake from freezing. Thanks to the mild mountain-sea climate, the air in the lake basin is very clean, so many people come here to improve their health. Holidaymakers rush to Issyk-Kul to get a tan, because the sun shines over the Kyrgyz lake 300 days a year. Picturesque places attract fans of active recreation - lovers of hiking and water tourism, skiers and fishermen.

Titicaca

Floating reed islands of the Uuru Indian tribes on Lake Titicaca

The mysterious lake, sacred to the indigenous peoples of the Andes, is located in the beautiful mountains on the border of Peru and Bolivia. According to legend, it is the cradle of Indian civilization. In ancient times, the lake lay at the level of the world ocean, but over time, the spurs of the Andes grew, and together with the mountains, the reservoir rose to a height of 3812 m.

The narrow Strait of Tiquina divides it into two basins. There are many islands on Titicaca, and some of them are inhabited. Travelers choose this lake for its clear blue water, steep cliffs and islands covered with green forest.

Lake Geneva

Terraced vineyards of Lavaux on Lake Geneva

The largest lake in Western Europe, Lake Geneva, is called Leman by the French. Most of it belongs to Switzerland, and about 40% belongs to France. Lake Geneva looks like a crescent moon with its horns facing south. It appeared after the retreating glacier, and today it is divided into Big and Small lakes. The coast is surrounded by high green mountains, behind which high peaks covered with snow can be seen. Several points on Lake Geneva offer excellent views of the majestic Mont Blanc.

Bled

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Lake Bled

Lake Bled is known as the most beautiful natural attraction in Slovenia. It is located on the conventional border between Southern and Central Europe. Tourists come to the picturesque shores to admire the oldest Slovenian castle, which hangs on a steep cliff directly above the water. Another attraction of Lake Bled is the beautiful church perched on a small island. Bled is very convenient to get to. The lake is located about 50 km from the capital of Slovenia - the city of Ljubljana.

Tacho

Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe

The shores of the American Lake Tahoe have long become one of the main tourist centers of California and Nevada. Coniferous forests, dominated by pines and firs, grow here in abundance, and numerous streams and channels attract large numbers of beavers to the Tahoe area. Many recreation centers have been built along the lake. In the summer, lovers of beach holidays, fishing and water sports come here, and in the winter, fans of alpine skiing come to Tahoe.

Jellyfish Lake

Golden and Moon jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake

One of the unique bodies of water on our planet is located on the Pacific archipelago, which is owned by the Republic of Palau. Jellyfish Lake measures 460 by 160 m and is separated from the ocean shore by a two-hundred-meter strip of land. About 2 million jellyfish live in its slightly salty waters! They have no natural enemies, so the huge population is actively breeding and thriving.

This is the only place on Earth where you can swim surrounded by a large number of jellyfish and not be afraid of their stings. That is why many divers are in a hurry to get to this unusual body of water. The reason for such unusual behavior of jellyfish is their autonomous existence. Living in a closed reservoir, they switched to a different type of food and learned to “grow” symbiotic algae on themselves, and the previously poisonous tentacles stopped stinging.

Seliger

Nilo-Stolobenskaya desert on Lake Seliger

The long lake is often spoken of as the blue necklace of Central Russia. Seliger lies on the border of the Novgorod and Tver regions and was called Lake Ostashkovo by local residents. More than one and a half hundred large and small islands are scattered across the water surface of Seliger. Protruding areas of land, uneven banks and beautiful channels are the legacy of the Ice Age.

Lakes of Russia are one of the national treasures of our Motherland. They can be large and small, freshwater and salty, deep and shallow. Let's figure out what largest lakes in Russia and why!

1

The Caspian Sea is

Not only in Russia, but throughout the entire Earth. It is located on the border of Asia and Europe and washes the shores of 5 countries (Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan). The area of ​​the Caspian Sea is approximately 371,000 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of 1025 meters. The waters of this lake are salty. According to one theory, the Caspian Sea got its name thanks to the ancient tribes - the Caspians, who lived on the southwest coast.

2


This is the deepest (about 1640 meters) lake on our planet, located in eastern Siberia. The area of ​​Baikal is more than 31,700 square kilometers and it is the largest reservoir of fresh water (90% of Russia's fresh water reserves). It is also worth noting that the waters of this lake are unusually clean and transparent, and in ancient times they were considered healing.

3


Lake Ladoga lies on the territory of the Leningrad region and Karelia. Its area is more than 17.6 thousand square kilometers, and its greatest depth is 230 meters, it is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe. 35 rivers flow into Lake Ladoga, and the Neva originates. It is home to about 60 species of fish, half of which are of industrial importance.

4


This lake is located on the territory of Karelia, Vologda and Leningrad regions. The area of ​​Lake Onega is about 9,700 square kilometers, with its greatest depth being 127 meters. “Onego-father” - as this lake is popularly called, is famous for its clean water and many historical monuments located on its shores.

5


Taimyr Lake is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory on the Taimyr Peninsula and is the northernmost in the world. For most of the year, this lake is covered with ice. Due to fluctuations in water levels, the area of ​​this lake can change and reach 4,560 square kilometers, and the maximum depth can reach 26 meters. The flora of Taimyr is represented by Arctic fish species.

6


This lake is located in the Russian Far East and borders China. The greatest depth of Lake Khanka is about 11 meters, and its area is 4,070 square kilometers. Due to its location, it attracts a large number of tourists who can get acquainted with the culture and customs of two countries at once. About 75 species of fish live in the waters of this lake, and even some of them are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.

7


Chany is a salt lake located in the Novosibirsk region. The area of ​​the lake, according to various sources, varies from 1400 to 2000 square kilometers, and its greatest depth is 7 meters. There have long been legends about this lake, one of which says that a huge snake lives in it, devouring people and livestock. Of course, there is no scientific evidence or information for this; perhaps this is just a legend created to attract tourists.

8


This lake is located in the Vologda region. The area of ​​this lake varies, mainly due to its low banks, and is approximately 1,284 square kilometers. The average depth of White Lake is about 5-7 meters, but due to underwater holes it can reach 10-12 meters. This lake is home to about 29 species of fish, making it a fisherman's paradise.

9


Topozero is located in the north of Karelia, in the Loukhsky district. The lake has a winding coastline, and its area is 986 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of up to 56 meters. Topozero is a favorite place for kayakers, and especially fishermen.

10


This lake is located in the Novgorod region of Russia. The area of ​​Lake Ilmen is 982 square kilometers, but depending on the water level it can vary. Its maximum depth can reach up to 10 meters. There are many legends associated with the name of this lake, among which there is a myth about the Scythian princes Ruse and Slovene, who named this lake in honor of their sister, Ilmera.

This is not the entire list of lakes located on the vast territory of our Motherland.

Water has always had an effect on people not only bewitching, but also calming. People came to her and told about their sorrows; in her calm waters they found special peace and harmony. That's why Russia's numerous lakes are so remarkable!

The beauty and charm of the water surface

The calm, mirror-like surface is still water, surrounded on all sides by shores. It is also a place of worship and aesthetic pleasure. What types of lakes are there? They can be deep (sometimes deeper than the seas) and shallow, fresh and salty, large in area and small, of volcanic, tectonic, moraine origin. Their ages also differ from each other. There are no ugly or boring ones, the map shows that there are an infinite number of them, and each of them is beautiful and perfect in its own way.

Surely any traveler who has visited this country at least once or a resident will have his own favorite or even sacred lake. In any case, visiting them is highly recommended. Once you see Baikal or Lake Teletskoye, you will fall in love with it once and for all! This is the place of power that fills you with energy after years of work, stuffy city air and prolonged social contact. It is important not only to contemplate beauty with reverence, but also to protect it.

Deep abyss of Baikal

What is Russia like? Of course, this is the mysterious and unique Baikal! Even every schoolchild has heard about him. This is simply a magical and unique place with pure, pure water that always has a deep blue tint. If there is not a cloud in the sky, then the surface of the water becomes simply emerald! The deep lake is of high ecological value and is included in the UNESCO list. The water here is fresh, and the depth reaches 1642 meters, which allows it to be compared with the depths of the Arctic Ocean (depth 1220 meters). If suddenly there is no more, then the deepest lake in Russia will be able to quench the thirst of the population of the whole world for 50 years, since it makes up a fifth of all reserves.

It is considered the oldest lake. Think for yourself - its age is 25 million years! Its depth is due to a large crack in the earth's crust. The continental depression is gradually increasing. The largest island here is Olkhon Island, stretching over 71 kilometers. It divides Baikal into the Small Sea (eastern part) and the Big Sea (western part).

The waters here are crystal clear, so you can see down to 40 meters, allowing you to spot the local deep-sea inhabitants. The water temperature is usually around +8 degrees Celsius. Baikal is also famous for its hot springs. Two large cities located near its waters are Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude. Near the calm surface of the lake it is not entirely serene. Earthquakes, small and large, happen here all the time.

The Pearl of Karelia - Lake Onega

Baikal is the most beautiful place, but there are also other lakes in Russia that captivate travelers with their mystery. Onega is one of them. They even began to call it the sea, since it is the second largest in Europe after Ladoga. The length of the lake is 245 kilometers, the greatest depth is 130 meters. Since the distant ice age, many local inhabitants have remained here - fish and amphibians. This place is a treasure trove of loot for those who like to fish. The northern region is ideal for habitat of valuable fish species: trout, salmon, sterlet.

Lake Peipsi - the grandeur of the dunes

Where is another one of the largest and most beautiful lakes located? In the northern regions, like most others. Lake Peipsi is located near Latvia and Estonia. It separates these two countries from the Pskov region. The longest length is 90 kilometers and the width is 47 kilometers. The lake is constantly replenished with water from many small rivers and large streams. What is remarkable about the shores of Lake Peipsi on the northern side? They are a continuous chain of dunes that stretch into the distance. Their height is quite impressive - about eight, and in some places even 10 meters. Closer to the west the dunes become flatter. The southern side is filled with boulders of Finnish granite.

There is also an island, lost in the brilliant water surface. It is located in the south of the lake and has the name “Zhelachek” (“Mezha”). It also contains two small villages.

The western part of Lake Peipsi is no less interesting for travelers. The shores in this area have their own unique outlines. Calm bays are combined with steep headlands and gently sloping shores. These capes are so high that they reach up to 24 meters. The depth of the lake is 7.5 meters. What is the bottom? It consists mainly of sand, clayey and sandy silt. This is not a crystal clear body of water like Baikal or the lakes of the Alps, from an aesthetic point of view. Silty sediments make the water cloudy. This place also did not go unnoticed by fishermen. The vast waters are rich in a variety of fish. There are burbot, pike perch, salmon and others.

Velikaya Ladoga

How beautiful are the names of Russian lakes! For example, it captivates us with the beauty of the nature of the North and became a savior during the Second World War. The northern shores are dotted with labyrinths of straits. There are even islands and trees growing on them. The bottom relief systematically increases from the south (51 meters) to the north (depth 230 meters).

There are many islands here, frozen in the form of sheer bizarre cliffs, their height reaches 70 meters. The eastern coast is not as rugged as the western coast, where forests and shrubs can be found. Lake Ladoga is fed by the waters of thirty-two rivers. The Neva River flows out of it in full flow, the length of which reaches 74 kilometers.

By the way, there are a large number of rainy days here, although the greatest amount of precipitation occurs in the warm season. The winds are quite strong, which leads to excitement on the lake. The height of the waves can reach four meters. The water temperature in the warm season stays at +8 degrees Celsius.

Caspian sea-lake

It is not only the largest lake in the world, but also quite deep. Although scientifically it is considered to be a sea. The deep ones are mysterious and interesting for the traveler in their own way. In the northern part the depth is small - only 5 meters. In the middle it is already getting deeper - 20 meters. The southern part of the Caspian Sea is the deepest - it reaches 1025.

This sea or lake is unevenly salty. In places where river mouths are located, the water is fresher. The water level in the lake is 25 meters below the ocean. On the shore there are such large cities as Baku and Makhachkala. The climate is sharply continental, so temperatures are low in winter and quite high in summer. The large Urals and Volga flow into the Caspian Sea.

Salt Lake Chany

There are also salt lakes in Russia, for example Chany. It is located in the Novosibirsk region and is classified as drainless. The word "chany" translated from Turkic means "large vessel". Already in October the lake is covered with ice and thaws only in May. Although its waters warm up to 28 degrees Celsius in summer. The area of ​​the lake always fluctuates and reaches 2000 square meters. It is not very deep - only 2 meters is the average. Along the banks, which are very rugged, there are thickets of reeds, reeds, various shrubs and sedges.

What else is remarkable about Lake Chany? There are up to 70 islands on the water surface, some of them are not only large, but also represent amazing landscapes, have a great variety of plants and rare animal species. The salt lakes of Russia have varying degrees of salinity. Chany is lightly salted, since the main food is melted snow. The weather on the lake is a reflection of the continental climate. In winter, snow cover can reach up to 30 cm in height.

For tourists, there are many recreation centers here, and there are corners where you can fish. Those who prefer boating should be careful - there are often storms here. Chany is also considered a mysterious, and according to some stories, an anomalous place. There is a legend that there is a strange animal of enormous size that harms people and livestock.

- volcanic beauty

This beautiful creation of nature is located in the very south of the Kamchatka Peninsula and is considered freshwater. The maximum depth reaches 306 meters, so it can safely be classified as deep-sea. Some islands that can be found on the surface are peculiar volcanic domes that rose from the bottom as a result of squeezing out magma.

Such lakes in Russia are of particular value, which is why Kurilskoe is included in the UNESCO heritage list. There are even some called “Kuril Springs”. Their temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius.

The cold inaccessibility of Lake Taimyr

This unique lake can only be compared in area to Lake Baikal. It is considered the northernmost on the planet. What unusual can a traveler find here? It is characterized not only by cold beauty and grandeur, but also by the fact that the water here constantly changes its level. The lake is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory beyond the Arctic Circle on the peninsula of the same name in the tundra.

We can say that local waters are covered with ice all year round. The greatest depth is 26 meters. The water temperature in the summer does not rise above 8 degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops to zero. The thickness of the ice can reach three meters. Oddly enough, in the waters of Taimyr there are fish - whitefish, muksun, whitefish, vendace.

Moraine lakes of Russia. Seliger

Forests, swamps, cozy coves - all this is the surrounding area of ​​Lake Seliger. It is located in the Tver and Novgorod regions. The landscapes in this area are predominantly hilly, and in some places plains predominate. Natural beaches contrast with steep shores covered with coniferous trees. There are about 160 medium and small islands on the lake. The surface is covered with ice in the cold season and is opened only in May. All lakes in Russia are accompanied by unique vegetation. Not only coniferous trees grow near Seliger, but also oaks, bird cherry, and rowan.

What exactly are moraine lakes? These are very picturesque corners of nature, their amazing beauty and unusual origin are simply amazing. The lakes of Russia are of the moraine type - the so-called “depressions” or “closed basins”, which appeared many years ago as a result of the melting of blocks of ice, which is why they are also commonly called “glacial”. They can be found only in the north and northwest of Russia. They are rarely large in size and depth. Usually their average depth does not exceed 10 meters, the banks are usually very indented. The largest of those reservoirs that can be classified as moraine are Chudsko-Pskovskoe, Seliger, Ilmen, which was once called the Slovenian Sea by the Slavs.

Conclusion

As we can see, Russia is a lake region that is sure to please even the most experienced traveler.

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

Large lakes of Russia

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

The lakes of the Asian part of Russia are the Caspian Sea-lake, Lake Baikal, Russia's northernmost lake Taimyr, the Far Eastern Lake Khanka and the salt lake Chany in southwestern Siberia.

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

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

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

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

Lake Taimyr with an area of ​​4.5 thousand km2 is called the “northern brother” of Baikal, because it is the second largest freshwater lake in the Asian part of Russia. It is located on the Taimyr Peninsula in the Krasnoyarsk Territory of the Russian Federation. The lake is located beyond the Arctic Circle, its surface is covered with ice from September to July. The Upper Taimyr flows into it, and the Lower Taimyr (Kara Sea basin) flows out...

This list of 50 stunningly beautiful lakes will undoubtedly add to your knowledge and broaden your horizons! This is a list of the world's most famous lakes, but some may be unfamiliar to you.

Lake Victoria
69,485 km2 (26,828 sq mi). The largest lake in Africa. It is a border lake, and.

Lake Tanganyika
32,893 km2 (12,700 sq mi). The lake is not only the 6th largest lake in the world, but it is also the second deepest lake in the world at 1,470 m (4,820 ft) and the longest lake in the world at 676 km (420 mi). Lake Tanganyika is divided between four countries - Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Zambia.

Moraine Lake, Canada - Moraine Lake

Lake Pinatubo, Philippines - Lake Pinatubo
Formed only recently (1991) after a monsoon, this crater lake sits atop Mount Pinatubo, an active volcano in the Philippines.

Lake Annette, Canada - Lake Annette

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia - Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
Situated 4,200 meters above sea level in southwestern Bolivia, Laguna Colorada gets its bright red color from pigment deposits and algae beneath its surface. This is an extremely shallow lake with an average depth of 50 cm.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia /
Located in Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes are actually 16 separate bodies of water, divided into upper and lower basins by natural dams made of moss and algae.

Spotted Lake or Kliluk (Spotted Lake), Canada
In Osoyoos, British Columbia, a 38-acre natural lake that has one of the highest concentrations of minerals in the world.

Dead Sea, Jordan /
The name can be deceiving - in fact, it is the world's deepest hypermineralized lake. It has a salt concentration 8 times greater than the ocean, making it extremely difficult to drown in.

Sheosar Lake, Pakistan
Lake of the Deosai National Park, in the alpine steppe of the Tibetan Plateau.

Riffelsee, Switzerland
Riffelsee is an incredible sight of mirror surface with the Matterhorn mountain in the background.

Peyto Lake, Canada
Peyto Lake is a glacial lake in Banff National Park of the Canadian Rockies. Billa Peyto belongs to the category of colored lakes. The lake has a bright turquoise color, due to a large amount of icy mountain flour creeping into the lake.

Lake Solbjornvannet, Norway

Mirror Lake, California - Mirror Lake - a small, seasonal lake near Tenaya Creek Canyon in the US National Park, Yosemite.

New Zealand also has Mirror Lake, which has amazing reflection properties, like a mirror. It is one of the great lakes of Asia: Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan), Wuhua Hai (China), Inle (Myanmar), Biwa (Japan), Tonle Sap (Cambodia) and Lake Toba in Sumatra (Indonesia).

Horseshoe Lake, Canada - Horseshoe Lake

Emerald Lake, Canada - Emerald Lake

Lake Plastiras, Greece - Lake Plastiras - Lake Plastiras, Greece
The artificial lake in Greece holds up to 400 million cubic liters of fresh water and is one of the highest in Europe.

Mystic Lake, Montana - Mystic Lake
The largest lake in Montana's Beartooth Mountains, it offers several world-famous hiking trails and incredible views.

Yamdrok Tso lake, Tibet - Yamdrok Tso Lake
This lake in Tibet has over 72 km of peaks and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Lake Malawi, Tanzania - Lake Malawi / Malawi and Mozambique 30,044 km2 (11,600 sq mi). The lake is divided between Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. Africa's second deepest lake, this tropical reservoir has more fish species than any other lake on Earth.

Lake Louise, Canada - Lake Louise, Canada

Lake Isabella, Colorado - Lake Isabelle, Colorado
A popular tourist destination, Lake Isabelle offers incredible views of Navajo and Apache peaks.

Crater Lake, Oregon - Crater Lake, Oregon

Barclay Lake, Washington State - Barclay Lake, Washington

Mono Lake, California - Mono Lake
This shallow lake in the Mono County California desert was formed over 760,000 years ago, and has a very similar ecosystem to the Colorada Lagoon.

Ancient underground lake Reed flute, China - Reed Flute Cave. This is a limestone cave in Guangxi, China. More than 180 million years old. Since the 1940s, it has become famous throughout the world due to the colorful caves around the lake.

Lough Ree(Loch RI or Loch Ríbh) is the geographical center of Ireland, the midlands. Lough Ree is the second largest lake on the River Shannon after Lough Derg. The other two large lakes are Lough Allen to the north, and Lough Derg to the south. Province of Leinster in County Roscommon the lake is popular for Irish legends about the monster.

Loch Ness(Loch Ness, Scotland) Scotland. Loch Ness (Gaelic: Loch Niche) is the second largest Scottish lake by surface area after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is Scotland's largest lake by volume of water. The deep, freshwater Loch in Scotland lies approximately 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Inverness. The lake is famous for its Loch Ness monster. Also of interest to tourists is Urquhart Castle east of Drumnadrochit, the lighthouses at Lochend (Bona Lighthouse) and Fort Augusta.

Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. The lake is 135 km long and 4 - 5 km wide. Its interesting features are the legend of the Demon of Lake Ogopogo or Naitaka, and the famous terraces, which were formed by the periodic depression of its predecessor, glacial Lake Penticton. The maximum depth of the lake is 232 m in the area of ​​Grant Island (called "Whiskey Island" or "Seagull Island" by locals)

Lake Labynkyr(Labynkyr Lake), Yakutia
This mystical lake is located near the Pole of Cold in the territory of Oymyakon uluss. Legends say that a monster lives deep in the water. It attacks dogs, deer and even people. History tells how one day a monster destroyed an Even caravan.

Kanas Lake(pinyin: Kanasi Hu) is a crescent-shaped lake in Altai Prefecture, Xinjiang Province, China. The lake is located in a valley in the Altai Mountains, on the border with Mongolia and. The lake was formed 200,000 years ago, during the Quaternary period, as a result of glacier movement. The Kanas River, flowing from the lake, merges with the Hemu River, forming the Burkin River, which itself is a tributary of the Irtysh River. Ethnic Tuvans and Kazakhs live in the Kanas Valley.

Lake Kok-Kol(Kok-Kol lake) Mysterious lake in Zhambyl region, Kazakhstan. From time to time, the mysterious lake makes some strange sounds, and sometimes you can see signs of ripples, as if a huge creature is drifting inside the lake. Local residents believe that the lake is bottomless. Indeed, when hydrographers measured its depth, they could not find the bottom. But, they found many channels. This explains the constant water level, despite the fact that nothing flows from or flows into the lake.

Aral Sea(Kazakh: Aral Tenizi; Mongolian: Aral tengis; Tajik: Bakhri Aral; Persian: دریای خوارزم Daryâ- you Khârazm) was a closed lake between Kazakhstan in the north and Uzbekistan in the south. The name roughly translates to “sea of ​​islands” (more than 1,100 islands were scattered across its waters). The catchment covers parts of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Formerly one of the four largest lakes in the world, with an area of ​​68,000 km 2 (26,300 sq mi), the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking since 1960 after the rivers that fed the lake were redirected through Soviet irrigation projects. The drying up of the Aral Sea has been called "one of the worst environmental disasters on the planet"

Lake Storshen(Swedish pronunciation: Storsjön, lit. "Great Lake") is the fifth largest lake in Sweden, located in the province of Jämtland (Jämtland). From Storsjön flows the river Indalsälven and the lake contains the main island of Frösön. The city of Östersund is located on its eastern bank, opposite Frösön. Storsjön is considered the birthplace of sea creatures Storsjöodjuret.

Lake Champlain— Lake Champlain lies directly on Burlington, the border between the United States and Canada. At the northern tip is the historically interesting Fort Ticonderoga. Lake Champlain offers cruises and ferries to Vermont and New York.

Lake Natron is a salt and soda lake in the Arusha region of northern Tanzania. The lake is located near the Kenyan border in the Eastern Rift Branch of the East African Wetlands of International Importance. Lake Natron is a basin of the Ramsar Valley, fed mainly by central Kenya's rivers and hot springs. The unusual color of the water is created by cyanobacteria. Due to high evaporation, salt-loving microorganisms begin to flourish.

Lake Tahoe, North America's largest alpine lake known for its cobalt blue waters and surrounding snow-capped peaks. Lake Tahoe is the state border between California and Nevada, and a popular resort in the Sierra Nevada.

Lake Lucerne— among the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, it stands out for its amazing panorama of the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, such as the Eiger and Jungfrau. The lake is lined with vintage steamboats that have been sailing here since the 1800s. In spring, the Lake Lucerne basin is fed by Mineralbad streams from the top of Mount Rigi.

Pigeon Lake(Dove Lake) in Tasmania, Australia. Serene Dove Lake is a national park attraction near Cradle Mountain. This lake is the home of the legendary Tasmanian Devil.

Lake Como, Italy - just 45 minutes from vibrant Milan. Lake Como is one of the favorite vacation spots of the rich and famous.

Lake Bled- one of the most charming attractions of the Old Continent. Lake Bled of the Julian Alps (Slovenian: Bled, German: Veldes) is located in Slovenia, near the borders with Italy and Austria.

Lake Synevyr- the largest and most famous lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians. The lake is located in the Gorgany mountain range, in the upper reaches of the Terebly River. The lake has its own beautiful legend about lovers.

The list of the most famous lakes in the world can rightfully include the unnamed:

  • Lake Ohrid of the Balkan Mountains (located between the Republic of Macedonia and Albania)
  • Lake Saimaa (Finland)
  • Ladoga/Onega/Chudskoye (Russia)
  • Balaton (Hungary)
  • Annecy (France)
  • Garda / Iseo (Italy)
  • Wastwater (England)
  • Sogne (Norway)
  • Killarney (Ireland)
  • Hallstattersee (Austria)
  • Königsee / Obersi (Germany)
  • Jökulsádlón (Iceland)
  • Laguna Verde (Bolivia)
  • Lençóis Maranhenses (Brazil)
  • Nakuru (Kenya)
  • Tekapo (New Zealand)
  • Lagunas Altiplánicas (Chile)
  • Laguna Bacalar (Mexico) and many others.