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

1. Caspian Sea

This lake is considered to be a sea because it has salty waters and huge size. It is the largest lake not only in Russia, but on the entire planet. There are five states along its banks: Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan). The territories of Russia washed by this lake are Kalmykia, Dagestan, Astrakhan region. The area of ​​the Caspian Sea is more than 370 thousand sq. km, and the maximum depth is 1025 meters. It bears its name as a legacy of ancient tribes - the Caspians, who lived in ancient times in the southwest of its coast.

2. Baikal

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

Located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad region, a large lake with an area of ​​17,600 sq. km amazes with its beauty and picturesque nature. Ladoga lake one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe, has a maximum depth of 230 meters. 35 are drawn to his bosom large rivers, and the proud Neva flows out of it. Industrial and private fishing flourishes on Lake Ladoga, which is facilitated by the abundance of various types fish.

4. Lake Onega

Freshwater lake in Karelia, Leningrad and Vologda regions. Along its wide banks there are numerous monuments of Russian culture. Pure water“Onego-priests,” as it is lovingly called by the people, extends over 9616 sq. km and has a greatest depth of 127 meters. The Svir River flows out of the lake.

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

6. Khanka

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

Located in the Pskov region. It has an area of ​​3550 sq. km and a greatest depth of 15 km. The Narva River originates from here.

8. Uvsu-Nur

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

9. Lake Chany

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

10. White Lake

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

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

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

And they are among the largest lakes in the world by area.

Lake Ladoga is the largest lake in terms of area. The length of the lake is more than 200 km with an average width of 80 km. The length of its coastline is about 1800 km, that is, 3 times greater than the distance between Moscow and. The greatest depth of the lake exceeds 200 m. The shores of the lake are very diverse. The northern one is rocky, cultivated, all cut up by narrow bays that extend far into the land. The rest are mostly low and flat. The lake has more than 600 islands. Most of them are located off the northern coast. The largest of them are Riekkalansari, Mantsinsari, Kilpola, and Valaam. The latter, although the smaller of them, has long become the most famous thanks to the famous Valaam (Preobrazhensky) Monastery, which for some time was one of the Russian fortresses. In winter, the lake freezes, not immediately, but gradually. Winds break up areas, turning them into chaos from a mixture of supercooled water and broken ice. The ice on the lake is uneven, lumpy, and hummocky. The height of ice hummocks in some places reaches the height of a five-story building. The lake is released from its ice captivity in the first ten days of May. A small part of the broken ice is carried out of the lake by the Neva River in The Gulf of Finland. The lake is also famous for its winds. Severe storms also occur. It is not for nothing that, according to the conditions of navigation, Lake Ladoga is equated to the seas. It is used by M-class vessels – sea-going ones.

Lake Onega is the second largest lake in Europe after Lake Ladoga. Compared to Ladoga, its area is approximately 2 times smaller, but at the same time it is 50 km longer. The lake has a bizarre shape and resembles an unknown monster with several tentacles, one of which resembles a trunk, and the other a crayfish claw. One interpretation of the name of the lake states that the word “onego” in the ancient Finnish language means “smoking lake”. This name appeared from the frequent ones creeping over the lake. And Ladoga is related not only by the fact that they are the largest in Europe and are located not far from each other. The main thing is that they appeared almost simultaneously, after the retreat of the last glaciers. Large tectonic depressions occupied by lake basins also existed in pre-glacial times. Advancing glaciers plowed out the bottoms of lake basins, making them more even, and processed the coastal rocks. Thus, according to the method of origin of the basins, the lakes are classified as glacial-tectonic. There are more than one and a half thousand islands within Lake Onega. The shores of most of them are indented by bays and bays, and they themselves are covered with dense forests. The largest of them are Klimetsky and Suisari. The most famous is Kizhi, famous for its wooden monuments of folk architecture. Numerous rivers replenish the lake with water. Among them are Shuya, Suna, Andoma, Vytegra. Its level depends on how much water the rivers bring into the basin of the lake. In the spring, when the snow melts, the tributaries become full of water and intensively feed the lake. His level is rising. By mid-summer, the water level gradually decreases.

Lake Peipus-Pskov

It is the third largest in Europe. Its basin is of glacial origin. The retreating glacier left behind a mass of unsorted material, resulting in the formation of a special, hilly-moraine. Depressions in the relief are usually occupied by lakes. Usually these are small and shallow lakes, oddly shaped, with low, often swampy shores. The lake is wastewater. The Narva River flows from it.

Lake Taimyr

Lake Taimyr is the largest in northern Siberia. It is shallow. The prevailing depths are about 4 meters. The lake is covered with ice for about nine months of the year. At the same time, most of it freezes to the bottom. The lake is fed by meltwater brought by rivers. The seasonal rise in water level occurs at the end of June. In spring, the water in the lake is cloudy, but by the end of summer it becomes clear.

Lake Baikal

Baikal is one of the most amazing natural objects on our planet. This is the deepest, the largest in terms of volume of fresh water, and the most unique in terms of the uniqueness of the organic world. There is no other body of water on Earth so large, so far from the ocean. The lake basin is of tectonic origin, as evidenced by its elongated shape. The maximum length of the lake is 636 km, and the length of the coastline is 2500 km. The area occupied by Baikal (31.5 thousand sq. km) could accommodate such a state as. The maximum depth of the lake is 1940 m. The volume of water is 23 thousand cubic meters. km - contains approximately the same amount of water. A huge mass of water retains heat for a long time and does not freeze for a long time. In December, and sometimes in January, individual ice floes are still floating around the lake. The lake opens in mid-May. The thickness of the ice by this time reaches one meter. In summer, Baikal is harsh and angry. Winds and storms cause a lot of trouble for ship captains and fishermen. Each of the winds has its own name: Barguzin, Kultuk, Losk, Sarma, Siver, Shelonnik, etc. Baikal surpasses in the number of stormy days. The height of waves during a storm can reach 4 meters. Legends are made about Baikal water. Nowhere in the world is there such soft, chemically pure, oxygen-rich water that is beneficial for human health. The following fact is interesting: the water in Baikal is fresher than the water of the rivers and streams flowing into it. Each liter contains less than 0.1 g of dissolved minerals - calcium, magnesium, silicon. Due to the small amount of impurities, the water in Baikal is the most transparent in the world. The white disk, used to determine water transparency, is visible to a depth of 40-45 meters. For comparison, we note that in Sevan it disappears from view when immersed by 10 meters, in Sevan by 20 meters, and in the Caspian Sea by 25 meters. In terms of diversity of the organic world, Baikal can compete with tropical seas. The lake is home to more than 2.5 thousand species of animals and plants. Moreover, about 2/3 of them are found nowhere else. The unique organic world helps maintain the purity of Baikal waters. Tiny epishura crustaceans filter water through the mesh of their antennae and catch organisms that cause “blooming” in the water. Diatoms extract silicon from water and use it to build their elegant shells. Scientists have calculated that algae take 400-500 thousand tons of silicon annually.

Caspian sea-lake

The Caspian Sea-lake is located in the south of our country, at the junction between Europe and the Baltic, Yellow. Natural resources The reservoir has long attracted many peoples here. Cimmerians, Cumans, Scythians, Sarmatians, Arabs, Turks, Persians, Khazars and many other peoples lived here. Ancient trade routes ran along the Caspian Sea. The migration of peoples and trade took place along them. Each of the peoples called the Caspian Sea in their own way. The ancient Greeks called it the Hyrcanian or Persian Sea, the Assyrians called it the Eastern Sea, and the Chinese called it the Western Sea. Among the Arabs it was known under the name of the Khoran or Khozar Sea; the Tatars called it Ak-Dengiz (). In ancient Russian chronicles, the Caspian Sea was called Khvalynsky or Derbent. Among the many names, one has survived - modern. It comes from the disappeared people - the Caspians (horse breeders) who once lived on its shores. The sea feeds the most big river Europe - . In addition to it, the Ural, Emba, Terek, and Kura bring their waters to the Caspian Sea. The water level in the Caspian Sea is subject to large and long-term fluctuations. And although this feature was noticed in ancient times, the reasons for this have not been fully elucidated. Currently, the water level in the Caspian Sea is 27.5 meters below the level of the World Ocean.

How many lakes are there in Russia? It is still impossible to give an exact answer to this question today. Many, many – more than 2 million. Among them there are famous, great lakes - “ Blue eyes planets."

The deepest, and perhaps the most famous lake on the planet - Baikal. It could hold a hundred Seas of Azov, but the water of Baikal is fresh, and this is the special value of this huge natural reservoir. The maximum depth of the lake is 1637 meters, and under the water column there are huge bottom sediments, or so-called mountain ranges, the height of which is about 7000 meters. On fine days the water is so clear that you can see the bottom at a depth of 40 meters. Baikal water - living water, since, thanks to phytoplankton, the maximum amount of oxygen is dissolved in it. Another of its properties is low temperature, which even in summer is not higher than +10 degrees. There is a legend that at the bottom of Baikal there is a huge channel that connects the lake with the Arctic Ocean. Baikal is about 30 million years old, and there are no signs of aging. On the contrary, over the course of a year, the lake’s waters “conquer” about 2 centimeters from the land.

Caspian Sea

The largest closed lake on the planet is the Caspian Sea, although it did not get its name because of its impressive size (371,000 km?). The reason is that the bottom of the lake is oceanic type crust, and the salinity of its waters is high. The Volga, which flows into the Caspian Sea, dilutes its waters - 0.05% salt, but along the southeastern shores the salt content is 13%. The waters of the Caspian Sea wash the shores of five states at once: Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran. In the latter, these expanses of water are called differently - the Khazar or Mazandaran Sea. One of the mysteries of the Caspian Sea is the periodic fluctuation of water levels. Over the past three thousand years, the water level has changed by 15 meters, and these processes continue today. For example, from 1978 to 1995 the water level rose, from 1996 to 2001 it decreased, and then began to rise again. One of the reasons for the lake “disturbance” is possibly human activity. The Caspian Sea is known for its oil reserves, however, while gaining some wealth, we risk losing others. It is in these waters that most of the sturgeon stocks in the world are located. More than 90% of the sturgeon on the planet are caught in the Caspian Sea, and today the protection of the Caspian Lake is one of the main environmental tasks for Russia.

Ladoga lake

The largest freshwater body of water in Europe is Lake Ladoga, which is located in Karelia and the Leningrad region. 35 rivers flow into the lake, whose area is slightly more than 18,000 km2, and only the Neva, on which St. Petersburg stands, flows out. It was on Ladoga, thanks to the efforts of Peter I, that the Russian fleet was born. In addition, during the Second World War, the “Road of Life” passed along the ice of Lake Ladoga. Thanks to it, food was supplied to besieged Leningrad, and about a million people were evacuated through it. In the northern part of the lake there are 500 of the 660 islands belonging to Ladoga. The Valaam archipelago, on which the ancient Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is located, is especially famous. The harsh Lake Ladoga is often compared to the sea: winds often blow here, and if you swim to the middle of Ladoga, you will not be able to see the opposite shore.

Lake Ilmen is one of the symbols of Russian history, since the Slavs appeared in this region back in the 8th-9th centuries, at the time of the birth of the state of Rus'. Ilmen has been glorified in many tales, epics, poems and legends.

How Sadko went to Lake Ilmen,
Sat on a white-flammable stone
And he began to play spring goosebumps.

One of the largest lakes in the European part of Russia is located on the territory of Pskov, Tver and Novgorod regions. Lake Ilmen was recognized as a natural monument of Russia. Unfortunately, the life cycle of the lake is ending, and Ilmen is classified as a “dying lake.” Its waters are gradually becoming swampy, the amount of silt is increasing, and the lake itself is slowly but still becoming shallow.

Pskovsko-Chudskoye Lake

“The Battle of the Ice took place on the ice of Lake Peipus in 1242” - we know about these events from the school curriculum, and it was thanks to them that Pskov-Peipus Lake, as it is called today, became famous. But not everyone knows that in fact the battle took place on the shore, and not on the ice, and Nevsky’s army was driving the retreating knights across the frozen lake. This fact was established in 1959 by an expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The same group also determined the exact location of the events - Lake Teploe, which, like Pskov, as well as Lake Peipsi, is part of Lake Peipsi. About 30 rivers flow into this lake complex, and only the Narva River flows out. Best time for a trip to the lake - the first or second Sunday of April, when reenactors gather at Chudskoye to recreate the events of the Battle of the Ice.

Lakes of Russia. General characteristics of Russian lakes.

Lakes of Russia, general characteristics. Table.

Number of lakes in Russia

over 2 million

Total area of ​​Russian lakes excluding the Caspian Sea

350 thousand km²

Total lake water reserves

26 thousand km³

Share of Russian lakes in the country's area

Lakes of Russia with an area of ​​over 100 km 2

Lakes of Russia with an area of ​​over 1000 km 2

Lakes of Russia over 100 m deep

The largest, largest lakes in Russia with an area of ​​over 500 km 2 are the European part.

The most big lakes Russian European part

Water surface area, km²

Caspian Sea

Ladoga

Onega

Chudsko-Pskovskoe

White

Topozero

Ilmen

Segozero

Imandra

Pyaozero

Vygozero

The largest, largest lakes in Russia with an area of ​​over 500 km 2 - Asian part (Siberia)

The largest lakes in Russia Asian part (Siberia)

Water surface area, km²

Baikal

Taimyr

Khanka

Uvsu-Nur

Vats

Khantaiskoe

Pyasino

Kulundinskoe

Nerpichye

The largest and largest lakes in Russia. List (pivot table).

List of the largest lakes in Russia larger than 200 km², in descending order of area:

The largest lakes in Russia

Region(s) of Russia

Area, km²

Altitude above sea level, m

Depth, m

Flowing river

Caspian Sea

drainless

Baikal

Buryatia, Irkutsk region

Ladoga

Onega

Taimyr

Krasnoyarsk region

Khanka

Primorsky Krai

Chudsko-Pskovskoe

Pskov region

Uvsu-Nur

drainless

Vats

Novosibirsk region

drainless

White

Vologda Region

Topozero

Republic of Karelia

Ilmen

Novgorod region

Khantaiskoe

Krasnoyarsk region

channel to the lake Small Khantaiskoe

Segozero

Republic of Karelia

Imandra

Murmansk region

Pyasino

Krasnoyarsk region

Kulundinskoe

Altai region

drainless

Pyaozero

Republic of Karelia

Vygozero

Republic of Karelia

Nizhny Vyg

Nerpichye

Kamchatka region

Labaz

Krasnoyarsk region

Boganida

Red

Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

channel to the Anadyr River

Chum salmon

Krasnoyarsk region

Ubinskoe

Novosibirsk region

Pekulneyskoe

Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

Umbozero

Murmansk region

Vozhe

Vologda Region

Kubenskoye

Vologda Region

Chukchagirskoe

Khabarovsk region

Oljikan

Portnyagino

Krasnoyarsk region

Manych-Gudilo

Kalmykia, Stavropol region, Rostov region

Bologne

Khabarovsk region

channel to the Amur

Lacha

Arhangelsk region

Udyl

Khabarovsk region

Mogotievo

Saha Republic

Vodlozero

Republic of Karelia

Lama

Krasnoyarsk region

Orel

Khabarovsk region

channel to the Amur

Kesey

Khabarovsk region

channel to the Amur

Small

Krasnoyarsk region

Kungasalah

Krasnoyarsk region

Syamozero

Republic of Karelia

Middle Kuito

Republic of Karelia

Pyhäjärvi

Republic of Karelia

channel to Lake Saimaa

Bustakh

Saha Republic

Suruktah

Jarroto 1st

Tyumen region

Right Yuribey

Sartlan

Novosibirsk region

drainless

Essene

Krasnoyarsk region

Shikei Seen

Nerpichye

Saha Republic

Nerpichya

Vivi

Krasnoyarsk region

Kovdozero

Murmansk region

Keret

Republic of Karelia

Teletskoye

Altai Republic

Seliger

Selizharovka

Republic of Karelia

Rastas and Häme

Lovozero

Murmansk region

Big Sea Lake (Mainychin-Ankavatan)

Saha Republic

Ankavaam

Kronotskoe

Kamchatka region

Kronotskaya

Janisjärvi

Republic of Karelia

Janisjoki

The deepest lakes in Russia. List (table)

List of the deepest lakes in Russia deeper than 20 m, in descending order of depth:

The deepest lakes in Russia

Depth

Region(s) of Russia

Area, km 2

Altitude above sea level, m

Flowing river

Baikal

Buryatia, Irkutsk region

Caspian Sea

Dagestan, Kalmykia, Astrakhan region

drainless

Khantaiskoe

Krasnoyarsk region

channel to the lake Small Khantaiskoe

Ring

Sakhalin region

Endless, crater

Tserik-Kol

Kabardino-Balkaria

Endorheic, karst

Lama

Krasnoyarsk region

Teletskoye

Altai Republic

Kuril

Kamchatka Krai

Ladoga

Republic of Karelia, Leningrad region

Noyon Khol

Republic of Tuva

Oron

Irkutsk region

Connects with the river. Vitim channel

Many-Khol

Republic of Tuva

Chum salmon

Krasnoyarsk region

Elgygytgyn

Enmyvaam

Tabashinskoe

Mari El Republic

Kronotskoe

Kamchatka region

Kronotskaya

Bolshoye Shchuchye

Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug

Onega

Republic of Karelia, Leningrad region, Vologda region

Nichatka

Transbaikal region

Umbozero

Murmansk region

Malachite

Sakhalin region

waste stream

Agulskoe

Irkutsk region

Segozero

Republic of Karelia

Imandra

Murmansk region

Kovdozero

Murmansk region

Topozero

Republic of Karelia

Janisjärvi

Republic of Karelia

Janisjoki

Pyaozero

Republic of Karelia

Republic of Karelia

Rastas and Häme

Lovozero

Murmansk region

Pyhäjärvi

Republic of Karelia

channel to Lake Saimaa

Taimyr

Krasnoyarsk region

Vygozero

Republic of Karelia

Nizhny Vyg

Syamozero

Republic of Karelia

Seliger

Novgorod region, Tver region

Selizharovka

Small

Krasnoyarsk region

Norilskaya

White

Vologda Region

Notes:

  1. In case of exact coincidence of depths, the lake whose area is smaller is indicated above (more compact with the same maximum depth)
  2. The table “The deepest lakes in Russia” was compiled by the author of the article from various sources. Special thanks to site visitors for their additions. Each proposed lake in Russia is checked and added to the list.

Top 10. The largest and largest lakes in Russia. Titles and descriptions.

1. The Caspian Sea-lake - first place in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (371,000 km 2).

Main characteristics of the Caspian Sea in numbers. Table.

The name of the largest lake in Russia and the world.

Caspian Sea

Geographical position

On the border of Asia and Europe

Length from north to south

Approximately 1200 km (36°34"-47°13" N)

On average 310-320 km (46°-56° E), maximum – 435 km

6500-6700 km, with islands – up to 7000 km

Average annual precipitation

Average annual wind speed

Average current speed

Square

371,000 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

Catchment area

3,626,000 km²

Salinity

Water level

27.16 m below sea level

1809, 415 - vertebrates

Description of the Caspian Sea - the largest and largest lake in Russia.

The Caspian Sea is unique in its own way: it has characteristics of both a lake and a sea.

Signs of the Caspian Sea as a lake:

Does not release its flow to the World Ocean;

Does not connect with the seas of the World Ocean;

Is a “closed, natural depression in land filled with water,” i.e. lake.

Signs of the Caspian Sea as a sea:

Huge size;

Salty water;

Oceanic crust that forms southern part its basins.

The natural resources of the largest lake in Russia and the world have long attracted many peoples here. Cimmerians, Cumans, Scythians, Sarmatians, Arabs, Turks, Persians, Khazars and many other peoples lived here. Ancient trade routes ran along the Caspian Sea. Migration of peoples took place along them, and trade took place.

Each of the peoples called the Caspian Sea in their own way. The ancient Greeks called it the Hyrcanian or Persian Sea, the Assyrians called it the Eastern Sea, and the Chinese called it the Western Sea. Among the Arabs it was known under the name of the Khoran or Khozar Sea; the Tatars called it Ak-Dengiz (White Sea). In ancient Russian chronicles, the Caspian Sea was called Khvalynsky or Derbent.

Among the many names, one has survived - modern. It comes from the disappeared people - the Caspians (horse breeders) who once lived on its shores.

The Caspian Sea is fed by the longest river in Europe - the Volga. In addition to it, the Ural, Emba, Terek, and Kura bring their waters to the Caspian Sea.

The water level in the Caspian Sea is subject to large and long-term fluctuations. And although this feature was noticed in ancient times, the reasons for this have not been fully elucidated. Currently, the water level in the Caspian Sea is 27.5 meters below the level of the World Ocean.

2. Lake Baikal is second in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (31,500 2).

Main characteristics of Lake Baikal in numbers. Table.

The name of the deepest lake in Russia and the world.

Baikal

Geographical position

Russia, south of Eastern Siberia

Length ssouthwest to northeast

620 km

Length from west to east

from 24 to 79 km, average width – 48 km

Length of coastline

2100 km

Large peninsulas

The largest peninsula is Svyatoy Nos.

Islands

About 30, the largest is Olkhon

Bays

The largest - Barguzinsky (725 km 2), Chivyrkuisky (270 km 2), Proval (197 km 2), Posolsky (35 km 2), Cherkalov (20 km 2), Mukhor (16 km 2)

Flowing rivers

The largest are Selenga, Upper Angara, Barguzin, Turka, Snezhnaya, Kichera, Tyya, Goloustnaya, Buguldeika

Water surface area

31500 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

23,615.39 km³

Catchment area

588 thousand km 2

Salinity

less than 0.1 ‰

Baikal water level height

Bottom of Baikal

1181 m below sea level

Coastal cities

Slyudyanka, Baikalsk, Severobaikalsk, Babushkin

Number of animal species

1550 species

Number of plant species

1085 species

Description of Baikal - the deepest lake in Russia.

Lake Baikal– one of the most amazing natural objects on our planet. It is the deepest, the largest in terms of volume of fresh water, and the most unique in terms of the uniqueness of the organic world. There is no other body of water on Earth so large, so far from the ocean. The lake basin is of tectonic origin, as evidenced by its elongated shape.

A huge mass of water retains heat for a long time and does not freeze for a long time. In December, and sometimes in January, individual ice floes still walk on the surface of the reservoir. The lake opens in mid-May. The thickness of the ice by this time reaches one meter.

In summer, one of the largest and largest lakes in Russia and the world - Baikal is harsh and angry. Winds and storms cause a lot of trouble for ship captains and fishermen. Each of the winds has its own name: Barguzin, Kultuk, Losk, Sarma, Siver, Shelonnik, etc. Baikal surpasses the Black Sea in the number of stormy days. The height of waves during a storm can reach 4 meters.

Legends are made about Baikal water. Nowhere in the world is there such soft, chemically pure, oxygen-rich water that is beneficial for human health. The following fact is interesting: the water in Baikal is fresher than the water of the rivers and streams flowing into it. Each liter contains less than 0.1 g of dissolved minerals - calcium, magnesium, silicon.

Due to the small amount of impurities, the water in Baikal is the most transparent in the world. The white disk, used to determine water transparency, is visible to a depth of 40-45 meters. For comparison, we note that in Lake Ladoga it disappears from view when immersed by 10 meters, in Sevan - by 20 meters, in the Caspian Sea - by 25 meters.

In terms of the diversity of the organic world, the deepest lake in Russia and the world, Baikal, can compete with tropical seas. More than 2.5 thousand species of animals and plants live in Baikal. Moreover, about 2/3 of them are found nowhere else.

The unique organic world helps maintain the purity of Baikal waters. Tiny epishura crustaceans filter water through the mesh of their antennae and catch organisms that cause “blooming” in the water. Diatoms extract silicon from water and use it to build their elegant shells. Scientists have calculated that algae take 400-500 thousand tons of silicon annually.

3. Lake Ladoga is third in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (17,703 km 2).


Main characteristics of Lake Ladoga in numbers. Table.

Name of the largest fresh lake Europe.

Ladoga

Geographical position

Russia, Leningrad region, Republic of Karelia

Length ssouth to north

219 km

Length from west to east

Maximum width – 125 km

Length of coastline

1570 km

Islands of the third largest lake in Russia

About 660, Riekkalansari (55.3 km²), Mantsinsaari (39.4 km²), Kilpola (32.1 km²), Tulolansari (30.3 km²) and Valaam (27.8 km²)

Bays

In the southern part - Svirskaya, Volkhovskaya and Shlisselburgskaya bays

Flowing rivers

About 35 rivers. The largest are Svir, Volkhov, Vuoksa, Syas, Nazia

Flowing river

Water surface area

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

838 km³

Catchment area

258,600 km 2

Salinity

Transparency

Height above sea level

Wave height during storms

Up to 6 meters

Coastal cities

Priozersk, Novaya Ladoga, Shlisselburg in the Leningrad region, Sortavala, Pitkyaranta, Lakhdenpokhya in the Republic of Karelia

The number of species of fauna in the third of the largest and largest lakes in Russia

256 species of birds, 53 species and varieties of fish, 378 species and varieties of planktonic animals, 385 species of invertebrate animals, worms (66 species), water mites, or hydrocarines, mollusks, crustaceans and others

Number of plant species

120 species of higher aquatic plants, 154 species of diatoms, 126 species of green algae and 76 species of blue-green algae

Description of Lake Ladoga in Russia - the third of the largest and largest lakes in Russia.


Location.

Lake Ladoga is located in the north-west of the European part of Russia. Applies to the pool Baltic Sea Atlantic Ocean.

Origin.

Once upon a time, about 9 thousand years ago, Ladoga was part of the sea. Then, with the advent of the Karelian Isthmus, the lake separated and began to live its own life.

Ladoga is the largest lake in Europe by area. Its area is about 18,000 sq. km. The shores are mostly flat and low, only in the north do many narrow and long bays jut into the shore, formed as a result of processing by the glacier.

According to navigation conditions, Ladoga is equal to the seas. Class “M” ships sail here, i.e. marine.

The Ladoga region is divided into four parts:
Northern Ladoga region - southern Karelia;
Eastern Ladoga region - Olonets region of Karelia;
Southern Ladoga region - Kirov and Volkhov districts of the Leningrad region;
Western Ladoga region - Karelian Isthmus.

Islands.

Lake Ladoga has a lot of islands; the third largest and largest lake in Russia has about 660 of them. Most of the islands lie in the northern part. The most significant of them are Riekkalansari, Mantsinsari, Kilpola, and Valaam. The island of Valaam is famous for the Valaam Monastery located on it, which was in the past one of the Russian fortresses.

Winter freeze-up.

With the beginning of winter, Lake Ladoga begins to gradually freeze. Frequent storms break up the fragile ice, as a result of which the surface of the reservoir begins to look like a chaos of broken ice and supercooled water. As a result, the ice of the largest lake in the European part of Russia is uneven, lumpy, with hummocks. The height of the latter can reach the height of a 5-story building! The reservoir is cleared of ice cover in early May.

Historical facts.

People have lived along the shores of Ladoga since ancient times, but they began to develop it relatively recently. The northern beauty of Russia is famous for its storms, violent temper, strong winds, and only the bravest warriors could travel on its waves. Such were the Scandinavians - the first sailors of the great lake of Russia.

Later along south coast the path “from the Varangians to the Greeks” was paved.

On geographical maps With the light hand of the German scientist Sebastian Münster, Ladoga began to be celebrated in 1544.

However, a thorough study of the shores of the Ladoga region was undertaken only in 1858-1866. Staff Captain A.P. Andreev. For this expedition, the officer was awarded gold and silver medals of the Russian Geographical Society.

4. Lake Onega is fourth in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (9,616 km 2).


Main characteristics of Lake Onega in numbers. Table.

The name of the fourth of the largest and largest lakes in Russia

Onega

Geographical position

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Leningrad region, Vologda region

Length ssouth to north

245 km

Length from west to east

Maximum width – 91.6 km

Length of coastline

1542 km

Large peninsulas

The largest peninsula is Zaonezhye.

Islands of the big and large lake of Russia

Around 1650, the most famous is Kizhi, the largest is Bolshoi Klimenetsky

Bays

Flowing rivers

About 50. The largest are Vytegra, Suna, Andoma, Vodla, Shuya

Flowing rivers

Only one - Svir

Water surface area

9,720 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

285 km³

Catchment area

62,800 km 2

Mineralization

Transparency

Height above sea level

Wave height during storms

Coastal cities

Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga and Medvezhyegorsk

Description of Lake Onega - the fourth largest and largest lake in Russia.

Location.

Lake Onega is the fourth largest and largest lake in Russia - located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia, Leningrad and Vologda regions. Belongs to the Baltic Sea basin of the Atlantic Ocean. About 80% of the lake’s area is located in the Republic of Karelia, 20% in the Leningrad and Vologda regions.

Geographical characteristics.

Lake Onega in area is the second largest and largest freshwater lake in Europe after Ladoga.

Despite the fact that the area of ​​Lake Onega is almost double less area Ladoga, it is 50 km longer than the last one.

The shape of the lake is very bizarre: it resembles some kind of mythical creature with several tentacles, resembling either a trunk or a claw.

Etymology.

One interpretation of the name of the reservoir states that the word “onego” in the ancient Finnish language means “smoking lake”. This name came from the frequent fogs that spread over the water.

Origin.

Both Ladoga and Onega lakes are similar not only in that they are the largest and largest in Europe and are located not far from each other. The main thing is that they appeared almost simultaneously, after the retreat of the last glaciers. Large tectonic depressions occupied by lake basins also existed in pre-glacial times. Advancing glaciers plowed out the bottoms of lake basins, making them more even, and processed the coastal rocks. Thus, according to the method of origin of the basins, these reservoirs are classified as glacial-tectonic.

Islands.

Within the fourth of the largest and largest lakes in Russia - Lake Onega, there are more than one and a half thousand islands. The shores of most of them are indented by bays and bays, and they themselves are covered with dense forests. The largest of them are Klimetsky and Suisari. The most famous is Kizhi, a nature reserve famous for its wooden monuments of folk architecture.

Flowing rivers.

Numerous rivers replenish Russia's large lake with water. Among them are Shuya, Suna, Andoma, Vytegra. The water level depends on how much water the rivers bring. In the spring, when the snow melts, the tributaries become full of water and intensively feed the lake. His level is rising. By mid-summer, the water level gradually decreases.

5. Lake Taimyr - fifth place in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (4,560 km 2).


Main characteristics of the lake. Taimyr in numbers. Table.

Taimyr

Geographical position

Russia, Krasnoyarsk region

Length

250 km

Length from west to east

Maximum width – km

Length of coastline

Large peninsulas

The largest peninsula is...

Islands

About, the most famous –, the largest -

Bays

bays of Baikuraneru, Yukayama, Ledyanaya Bay

Flowing rivers

The largest are Upper Taimyr, Western, Northern, Bikada-Nguoma, Baykura

Flowing river

Lower Taimyr

Water surface area

4560 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

12.8 km³

Catchment area

104,300 km 2

Height above sea level

Average annual air temperature in the area

Average temperature of the warmest month of July

Description of Lake Taimyr - the fifth of the largest and largest lakes in Russia.

Location.

Lake Taimyr is located far beyond the Arctic Circle and is the largest and largest northern lake in Russia and the world. It is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory on the Taimyr Peninsula at the foot of the Byrranga Mountains.

Description of the coastline.

The shores of the largest and largest northern lake Russia differs greatly from each other: if in the north the shores are strongly indented, represented by cliffs up to 100 meters high, then in the south the shores are flat, sandy and pebble.

The rocks of the northern coast are subject to constant destruction due to the severe frosts inherent in these regions. During the short summer, the snow in the hollows of the rocks melts and seeps into small cracks. In winter, the water freezes and the ice tears apart seemingly inaccessible rocks. As a result of such long-term work of water and frost, large blocks break off from the rocks of the northern lake of Russia and fall into the water.

Depth and structural features of the bottom.

Lake bottom Taimyr is mostly flat, only in some places there are quite deep basins. The average depth of the largest and largest northern lake in Russia and the world is small - 2.8 meters.

Type of food.

Lake Taimyr is fed by mixed sources: snow and rain. Meltwater is carried by inflowing rivers.

Climate.

As befits the northernmost lake in Russia and the world, the climate here is harsh. Lake water in the warmest time of the year, in August, has an average temperature of 7 °C; in winter, the water temperature at great depths is about 1 °C. In winter, water freezes in many places to the very bottom; freeze-up lasts from September to June.

Origin.

The Upper Taimyr River flows into Lake Taimyr, and the Lower Taimyr River flows out. But if you look at it, the entire chain of Upper Taimyr - Lake Taimyr - Lower Taimyr is one river. It’s just that the river, encountering a large pit on its way, spread out and occupied its entire area.

Then the ice sheet that covered the Byrranga Mountains melted and a crack opened up through the mountains. Through this crack, the waters of the lake, forming the Nizhnyaya Taimyr River, rushed into the Kara Sea.

But in ancient times, when the ocean level was higher than at present, there was a sea on the site of the largest and largest northern lake in Russia. This is evidenced by numerous, inherent only sea ​​water, species of flora and fauna found in the lake.

6. Lake Khanka is sixth in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (4,190 km 2).


Main characteristics of the lake. Hanka. Table.

The name of the sixth largest and largest lake in Russia

Khanka

Geographical position

Russia (Primorsky Krai), China (Heilongjiang)

Length

Width

Length of coastline

308 km

Flowing rivers

24 rivers. The largest are Lefou, Mo, Sintukha, Ilistaya, Komissarovka, Spasovka, Melgunovka

Flowing river

Sungacha (tributary of the Ussuri (Amur basin))

Water surface area

4070 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

18.3 km³

Catchment area

16,980 km 2

Height above sea level

68-70 m

Coastal villages

Turiy Rog, Platono-Alexandrovskoe, Novokachalinsk and Kamen-Rybolov

Description of the lake Khanka is the largest and largest Far Eastern lake in Russia.


Location.

Khanka is the largest and largest Far Eastern lake in Russia. It is located on the border of the Primorsky Territory of Russia and the Heilongjiang Province of China on the Khanka Lowland at an altitude of 68 meters above sea level. The northern part of the reservoir belongs to the territory of China. Near the lake. Khanka is located lake. Malaya Khanka, separated by alluvial deposits.

Form.

The shape of the lake resembles a pear, with its widest part facing north.

Surface area.

The area of ​​the lake's water surface depends on climatic conditions. In wet years, the water level rises and the surface area increases to five thousand square meters. km. In dry years it decreases to 4 thousand square meters. km. Along the banks there are mainly swamps. Non-wetland is found only in the northwest.

Depth.

The sixth largest and largest lake in Russia is shallow. The predominant depths are 1-3 m, the maximum is -10.6 m, and average depth– 4.5 meters.

Inflowing and outflowing rivers.

24 rivers flow into Lake Khanka, but only one flows out - Sungacha, which connects it with Ussuri, and that in turn with Amur. On average, the flow into Khanka is 1.94 km 3 per year, from it - about 1.85 km 3.

Interesting Facts.

On the biggest and largest eastern lake Russia has organized the international Russian-Chinese Khanka Nature Reserve.

7. Lake Peipus-Pskov is seventh in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (3,555 km 2).

Main characteristics of Lake Peipus-Pskov. Table.

The name of the seventh largest and largest lake in Russia

Chudsko-Pskovskoe

Geographical position

Russia, Estonia

Length

150 km

Width

Length of coastline

520 km

Islands

29 islands. The most famous is Raven Island, the largest are Piirisar, Kolpina, Kamenka

Flowing rivers

Over 30. The largest are Velikaya and Emajõgi.

Flowing rivers

Water surface area

3555 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

25 km³

Catchment area

47.8 thousand km 2

Height above sea level

Coastal cities

On the banks are the cities of Kallaste and Mustvee; 2 km - the city of Gdov, 10 km - on the Velikaya River - Pskov

Description of Lake Peipus-Pskov - the seventh of the largest and largest lakes in Russia.

Location. Lake Peipus is located on the border of Russia (northwest of the Pskov region) and Estonia.

Origin.

Lake Peipus-Pskov is of glacial origin. Retreating, the glacier left behind huge piles of rubble, stone, sand and other material - moraine. In the depressions of the moraine-hilly terrain, water collected and a strangely shaped reservoir with swampy shores was formed.

Physical characteristics.

Water surface area is 3550 km 2, of which 2100 km 2 of the reservoir belongs to the Pskov region, the rest to Estonia.

Depth the seventh largest lake in Russia - maximum 15.3 meters, average - 7.1 m.

Form.

Lake Peipus consists of three parts:

  • Lake Peipsi
  • Pskov Lake
  • Warm Lake is a strait connecting the first two parts.

Dimensions.

In terms of size, it is the seventh largest and largest lake in Russia - the fourth in Europe (after Ladoga (Russia), Onega (Russia) and Lake Vänern (Sweden)). The length of Lake Peipus is 150 km and its width is 50.

Inflowing and outflowing rivers.

About 30 rivers flow into the lake: Zhelcha, Zadubka, Cherma, Gdovka, Kuna, Torokhovka, Remda, Rovya, Chernaya, Lipenka, Startseva, Borovka, Abizha, Velikaya, Obdyoh, Piusa, Võhandu, Emajõgi, Kodza, Kargaya, Omedu, Tagajõgi , Alaigi. Only one river flows out - Narva, which flows into the Gulf of Finland.

Islands.

The lake has 29 islands with a total area of ​​25.8 km².

Largest islands:

  • Piirisar Island (with an area of ​​7.39 km²), located in the southern part of Lake Peipsi,
  • Kolpina Island (with an area of ​​11 km²) - in Lake Pskov;
  • Kamenka Island (with an area of ​​about 6 km²).

Raven Island is also famous.

On the coast of Lake Peipus-Pskov in Russia are the cities of Kallaste and Mustvee; 2 km from the eastern shore of Lake Peipus is the city of Gdov, 10 km from the lake on the Velikaya River - Pskov.

Economic importance.

In Pskov-Chudskoye Lake there are 54 representatives of coastal aquatic flora. The lake is also rich in commercial fish species: pike perch, vendace, bream, whitefish, pike, burbot and the famous Pskov smelt.

The lake is used for shipping, including passenger traffic.

In the coastal strip of Lake Pskov there is a wetland ornithological reserve “Pskov-Chudskaya lakeside lowland” - this is a valuable reserve of many rare plants and animals in the Baltic region, the most important resting and feeding place on the White Sea-Baltic flyway for swans, geese and ducks during their flights.

Historical facts.

On the ice of Lake Peipus on April 5, 1242, the famous battle of the Russian army of the young Prince Alexander Nevsky against the troops of the Livonian Order took place.

8. Lake Uvsu-Nur is eighth in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (3,350 km 2).


Main characteristics of Lake Uvs-Nur. Table.

The name of the eighth largest and largest lake in Russia

Uvsu-Nur

Geographical position

Russia, Mongolia

Length

Width

Water surface area

3350 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

35.7 km³

Catchment area

thousand km 2

Salinity

Height above sea level

Coastal cities

Tes-Khem, Nariin-Gol, Khurmasyn-Gol, Kharkhira-Gol, Borsho-Gol, Targalyg

Description of Lake Uvsu-Nur - the eighth of the largest and largest lakes in Russia.

Location.

Oz. Uvsu-Nur is located on the border of Russia (Republic of Tyva) and Mongolia at an altitude of 753 meters above sea level. The main part of the lake belongs to Mongolia, while Russia is only 12 square meters. km of water surface and 10 km of coastline. In the Russian section, three rivers flow into the lake: Irbitey, Kholu and Oruku-Shina. Many other rivers that flow into the reservoir in Mongolia also originate in Russia.

Origin.

During the Ice Age, on the site of the lake. Uvsu-Nur splashed with a huge reservoir with an area of ​​16 thousand km². But the climate gradually changed, the lake dried out, and currently its area has decreased to 3000 square meters. km.

Characteristics of the coast.

The coast of a large and large lake in Russia on both sides is characterized by wetlands. Here, numerous rivers originating in the mountains pour their waters into the lake. The main tributary is the Tes-Khem River. In other places, mountain ranges and sandy massifs approach the water itself.

Degree of mineralization.

Lake Uvs-Nur is salty with water that tastes like sea water. The farther from the mouths of inflowing rivers, the salt concentration increases. The average salinity of lake water is 18.5 - 19.7 g/l.

Type of climate and temperature regime.

The freeze-up period lasts from October to May. In summer the water warms up to 25°C. Annual air temperature fluctuations can range from −58 °C in winter to 47 °C in summer. The basin of Lake Uvs-Nur in Russia is a unique natural laboratory, which represents several natural zones at once. Ubsunursky has been working here for several years international center biosphere research.

Economic importance.

Very rich animal world lake basin - in the vicinity of one of the largest lakes in Russia, 173 species of birds and 41 species of mammals, 29 different species of fish live.

Coastal settlements.

The largest settlement in the vicinity of the lake. Uvsu-Nur - administrative center Ubsunur aimag - the city of Ulaangom (27 km southwest from the coast).

Historical facts.

In the vicinity of the eighth of the largest and largest lakes in Russia, people began to settle several thousand years ago. This is evidenced by many archaeological finds - mounds, deer stones, petroglyphs, runic inscriptions, etc. The artifacts found are attributed to the cultures of ancient nomads - the Huns, Mongols, Yenisei Kyrgyz.

In 2003, the eighth largest lake in Russia was included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.

9. Lake Chany is ninth in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (2000 km 2). The largest and largest lake in Western Siberia.


Main characteristics of Lake Chany. Table.

The name of the ninth of the largest and largest lakes in Russia

Vats

Geographical position

Russia, Novosibirsk region

Length

Width

Maximum width – 88 km

Large peninsulas

The largest peninsulas are... Zelenchak, Kondakov, Golenky, Vaskin, Mys, Drovnikov, Rodyushkin, Kvashnino, Malinikha, Temny, Tyumensky.

Islands

About 70, the largest are Amelkina Griva, Shuldikov, Lezhan, Bear, Cap, Chinyaikha, Cheryomukhovy, Rare

Flowing rivers

Kargat, Chulym

Flowing rivers

drainless

Water surface area

1400-2000 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Type of mineralization

Salty, up to 6 g/dm 3

Height above sea level

Description of Lake Chany - the ninth of the largest and largest lakes in Russia.

Location.

Oz. Chany, located in the Baraba Lowland, is the largest lake Western Siberia. It is located on the territory of five districts of the Novosibirsk region: Zdvinsky, Barabinsky, Chanovsky, Kupinsky and Chistoozerny.

Origin.

The emergence of Lake Chany in Russia dates back to the end of the Ice Age, approximately 10 - 13 thousand years ago.

Physical characteristics.

Chany is 91 km long and 88 km wide. The area of ​​the water surface is variable and currently, according to various estimates, ranges from 1400 to 2000 km².

The average depth is about 2 meters. The lake basin is flat. The vats are shallow, depths up to 2 meters make up 60% of the total area. The banks are quite low and heavily indented, overgrown with reeds, reeds, sedges and bushes. The bottom soil is sandy and silty.

Form.

The lake is a system of reaches connected by channels and shallow areas, of which the three largest are: Chinyaikha, Tagano-Kazantsevsky and Yarkovsky, differing in water mineralization, area, depths, soils, and food supply.

Inflowing and outflowing rivers.

Chany is a salty, endorheic lake in Russia. Flowing rivers are Kargat, Chulym.

Islands of Lake Chany.

There are about 70 islands on the lake, the largest are Amelkina Griva, Shuldikov, Lezhan, Medvezhiy, Kolpachok, Chinyaikha, Cheryomukhovy, and Rarediy. The islands of Cheryomushkin, Kobyliy, Perekopny, Bekarev, Kalinova, Chinyaikha, Shipyagin, Krugly, Kolotov, Kamyshny are natural monuments region, since they have preserved unique landscapes that are habitats for rare species of plants and animals.

Coastal settlements.

Currently, there are 12 villages on the shores of the largest lake in Western Siberia. Neither of settlements on the shore of the lake Chany does not have the status of a city or urban settlement.

Economic importance.

The reservoir is of great fishing importance. The adjacent lands are used for haymaking and grazing. Water from the lake is used for technical needs. There is local shipping on the lake. In 1994, Russia's Lake Chany was included in the list of wetlands of world importance.

Climate.

Most of the lake is located in the forest-steppe natural area.
It freezes in the second half of October - the first half of November, and opens in May. The maximum recorded water temperature in summer is 28.3 °C. The climate in the lake area Chany - continental. The average temperature in January is −19.7 °C, in July - +18.3 °C. The frost-free period lasts from 115 to 120 days. The average annual precipitation is 380 mm. The height of the snow cover is 20-30 cm.

Legends.

There is a legend that a huge snake lives in this lake and devours people and livestock.

10. White Lake is tenth in the list of “The largest and largest lakes in Russia” (1,290 km 2).

Main characteristics of White Lake. Table.

The name of the fifth largest and largest lake in Russia

White

Geographical position

Russia, Vologda region

Length

Width

Flowing rivers

Water surface area

1284 km²

Maximum depth

Average depth

Water volume

5.2 km³

Catchment area

14 thousand km 2

Type of mineralization

Height above sea level

Description of White Lake - the tenth largest and largest lake in Russia.


Location.

White Lake located in the west of the Vologda region of Russia, between Lake Onega and the Rybinsk Reservoir, approximately in the middle between them.
Origin.

White Lake is of tectonic origin, formed as a result of low-amplitude uplifts and subsidences of the earth's crust.

Physical characteristics.

Due to the low shores of the tenth largest and largest lake in Russia, the area of ​​the reservoir and coastline have the ability to fluctuate throughout the year. The waters off the coast are very shallow, in some places the depth does not exceed 1 meter per kilometer. Coastal plants are well developed. The shores are flat and have practically no bays and bays, the soils are silty-sandy, and there are few rocky ridges.
Form.

White Lake has a round shape.

Inflowing and outflowing rivers.

About 60 rivers and streams flow into White Lake. The largest tributaries: Kovzha (navigable), Kema, Megra. Only one river flows out - Sheksna, which flows into the Volga.

Climate.

The climate of Belozerye is formed under the influence of air masses of various origins - sea, formed over northern part Atlantic Ocean and Arctic seas, and continental ones. The geographical position of the lake contributes to the development of increased wind speeds. The number of stormy days during the navigation period can reach 100, and 170 per year.

The maximum air temperature can reach, in exceptional cases, 38°C, and the minimum - 50°C.

There is quite a lot of precipitation - the average annual amount is 650 millimeters. The number of rainy days is sometimes 200 per year.

Economic importance.

White Lake is located at the intersection of the most important waterways in Russia. Once upon a time, the ancient Vytegorsk-Belozersky waterway passed here. Since 1964, White Lake of Russia has been part of the Sheksninsky reservoir, which is part of the Volga-Baltic waterway. The reservoir is also used to supply water to settlements located on its banks.

There are many lakes on our planet. To form a lake, it is necessary for a basin to appear on the surface of the earth - a closed depression, and it would be filled with water. Some lakes fill only during the wet seasons and remain dry the rest of the year. They're called temporary.

Origin of lakes

Based on their origin, lakes are divided into two main types: natural And artificial. Artificial lakes are created by people. Typically these are reservoirs built in river valleys. The basins of natural lakes, in turn, have different origins:

  • tectonic formed as a result of faults in the earth's crust;
  • glacial formed in areas subject to continental glaciation;
  • volcanic lakes appeared in craters extinct volcanoes;
  • oxbow lakes occur in floodplains of rivers when they change their direction.

Fresh and salty

There is water in lakes fresh, salty And salty or mineral. Those lakes into which rivers carry a lot of water are fresh. In them, for example in Baikal, Ladoga and Onega, the water salinity is about 1%. The water of brackish lakes has a salinity of 1 to 25%. For example, the salinity of water in Issyk-Kul is 5-8%, and in the Caspian Sea - 10-12%. Lakes whose water has a salinity of more than 25% are called saline or mineral lakes. Thus, the salinity of the Dead Sea, lakes Elton and Baskunchak is 200-300%. Salt lakes, as a rule, form in arid areas where evaporation is high.

Although the Dead Sea is called a sea, it is actually an endorheic lake. Moreover, the concentration of salt in it is so high that a person can calmly lie on its surface on his back

Some are so salty that the salt precipitates and settles to the bottom.

It is believed that the fresher the water, the cleaner it is. Lake Baikal is filled with the freshest water in the world, and therefore the cleanest. It contains many millions of microscopic living organisms - more than any other fresh water body.

The Dead Sea received its name for a reason: neither fish nor other organisms live in its water. High salt content is the main reason for this.

Sewage and closed

Rivers flow from the surrounding area into the lake. Rivers flow from some lakes, but not from others. Those from which at least one river flows are called sewage, and those from which none follows - drainless. Drainage lakes include Baikal, Ladoga and Onega, and drainage lakes include Balkhash, Chad, Issyk-Kul, and the Dead Sea. Aral and Caspian Sea Same drainless lakes, but due to their large size and sea-like regime, these bodies of water are conventionally considered seas. There are so-called blind lakes, for example those formed in the craters of volcanoes. Rivers do not flow into them or flow out of them.