List of lakes by area
(Redirected from Largest lakes)
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This is a pair of lists of terrestrial lakes with a surface area of more than approximately Script error: No such module "convert"., ranked by area,[1][2][3] excluding reservoirs and lagoons.
The area of some lakes can vary over time, either seasonally or from year to year. This is especially true of salt lakes in arid climates. This list therefore excludes seasonal lakes such as Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre (maximum area Script error: No such module "convert".), Mar Chiquita Lake (Córdoba) (maximum area Script error: No such module "convert".), Lake Torrens (maximum area Script error: No such module "convert".) and Great Salt Lake (maximum area, 1988, Script error: No such module "convert".).
The list is divided in two: all lakes as conventionally defined down to Script error: No such module "convert"., and the largest lakes under a geological definition, where the Caspian Sea is considered a small ocean rather than a lake, and Lake Michigan–Huron (or "Huron–Michigan") is recognized as a single body of water. The Caspian Sea is conventionally considered the world's largest lake, but it is centered on an oceanic basin (a fragment of the ancient Tethys Ocean) rather than lying entirely over continental crust as all other lakes do.[4][5][6][7][8] Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are conventionally counted as separate lakes, but hydrologically they are a single body of water, which is the world's largest lake by surface area.[9][10][11][12][13]
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Conventional list
Following are conventionally identified lakes larger than Script error: No such module "convert". in area.
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Name | Countries with shoreline | Type | Area | Length | Max. depth |
Volume | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Caspian outline.png | Template:Nts | Caspian Sea | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Saline 1.2% | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Geologically a small ocean rather than a lake. Garabogazköl lagoon, if counted separately, would rank as the world's 15th largest, with an area of Script error: No such module "convert".. |
| File:Superior outline.gif | Template:Nts | Superior | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Largest of the Great Lakes by volume, having more water than the other four combined.[15] |
| File:Victoria outline.gif | Template:Nts | Victoria | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | The largest lake by area in Africa.[16] |
| File:Huron outline.png | Template:Nts | Huron | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | The larger lobe of Lake Michigan–Huron. Contains Manitoulin Island, the world's largest lake island.[17] |
| File:Michigan outline.gif | Template:Nts | Michigan | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | The smaller lobe of Lake Michigan–Huron. The largest lake (by area) that is located entirely in one country. |
| File:Tanganyika outline.gif | Template:Nts | Tanganyika | Template:Ubli | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Longest freshwater lake in the world and third largest of any kind by volume.[18] |
| File:Baikal outline.gif | Template:Nts | Baikal | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Deepest lake in the world and largest freshwater lake in the world by volume.[19] |
| File:Great bear outline.gif | Template:Nts | Great Bear Lake | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake entirely within Canada,[20] and the largest lake partially within the Arctic Circle |
| File:Nyasa outline.gif | Template:Nts | Malawi (Nyasa) | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Has more species of fish than any other lake in the world.[21] |
| File:Great slave outline.gif | Template:Nts | Great Slave Lake | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Deepest lake in North America[22] |
| File:Erie outline.gif | Template:Nts | Erie | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Has the smallest volume of the Great Lakes. |
| File:Winnipeg outline.gif | Template:Nts | Winnipeg | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Very large catchment area compared to own size. No other great lake has that ratio. |
| File:Ontario outline.gif | Template:Nts | Ontario | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | The lowest lying of the Great Lakes. |
| File:Ladoga outline.gif | Template:Nts | Ladoga | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake in Europe.[23] |
| File:Balkhash outline.gif | Template:Nts | Balkhash | Script error: No such module "flag". | Saline 0.3% (variable) | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Fresh shallow western part. Salty deeper eastern part. Shrinking in size. |
| File:Vostok outline.gif | Template:Nts | Vostok | File:Blank flag.svg Antarctica | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake in Antarctica, but subglacial. |
| File:Onega outline.gif | Template:Nts | Onega | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Second-largest lake in Europe. |
| File:Titicaca outline.gif | Template:Nts | Titicaca | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Highest navigable lake in the world. Greatest mountain lake too. Largest lake in South America. |
| File:Nicaragua outline.gif | Template:Nts | Nicaragua | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake in Central America. Contains fresh water sharks. |
| File:Athabasca outline.gif | Template:Nts | Athabasca | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | A remnant of the vast, Glacial Lake McConnell. Huge catchment area (ratio). |
| File:Reindeer outline.gif | Template:Nts | Reindeer | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
The deepest areas are the site of a large meteorite impact, which happened almost 100 million years ago. Much older than the lake. |
| File:Turkana outline.gif | Template:Nts | Turkana | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Saline 0.25% (approx.) | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake.[24] |
| File:Issyk-kul outline.gif | Template:Nts | Issyk-Kul | Script error: No such module "flag". | Saline 0.6% | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Second largest mountain lake in the world. Second deepest saline lake as well. |
| File:Vänern outline.gif | Template:Nts | Vänern | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake in the European Union. |
| Template:Nts | Rukwa | Script error: No such module "flag". |
Saline | Script error: No such module "convert".[25] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Tanzania's 4th largest lake. | |
| File:Albert outline.png | Template:Nts | Albert | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[26] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | |
| Template:Nts | Nettilling | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Largest lake on an island; Baffin Island.[27] | |
| Template:Nts | Winnipegosis | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Second largest lake in Manitoba. | |
| File:Mweru outline.png | Template:Nts | Mweru | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | The second largest lake in the Congo's drainage basin, Tanganyika being the largest. |
| File:Nipigon outline.gif | Template:Nts | Nipigon | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake entirely in Ontario. Part of the Great Lake drainage basin. Often referred to as the, "sixth" or "seventh" lake, together with St. Clair. |
| File:Manitoba outline.gif | Template:Nts | Manitoba | Script error: No such module "flag". | Saline 0.35% | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | A remnant of the prehistoric, Glacial Lake Agassiz together with: Winnipeg and Winnipegosis. |
| File:Taymyr outline.png | Template:Nts | Taymyr | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake entirely within the Arctic Circle. |
| File:Qinghai outline.png | Template:Nts | Qinghai | Script error: No such module "flag". | Saline 1.4% (variable) | Script error: No such module "convert". (2007) | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Largest lake in China. Variable in size. Endorheic basin. | |
| File:Saimaa outline.gif | Template:Nts | Saimaa | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest catchment area of the lakes within the Nordic countries. | |
| File:Lake of the Woods outline.gif | Template:Nts | Lake of the Woods | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | About 15 000 islands. The shoreline measures (included these) roughly: 105 000 km. |
| File:Khanka outline.png | Template:Nts | Khanka | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Has a shape like a pear. Variable size. Drains through the Amur River, that ends in the Sea of Japan. |
| File:Sarygamysh outline.png | Template:Nts | Sarygamysh | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Saline 1.15% (approx.) | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Located about midway between the Caspian Endorheic basin and former Aral Sea. No drainage river today. Drained centuries ago to the Caspian Sea (Uzboy River). Polluted. |
| File:Dubawant outline.png | Template:Nts | Dubawnt | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Frozen surface 10 months each year. No permanent settlements on its shores. | ||
| File:Van outline.png | Template:Nts | Van | Script error: No such module "flag". | Saline 2.3% | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake in the Middle East. Third deepest saline lake. |
| File:Peipus outline.png | Template:Nts | Peipus | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest trans-boundary lake in Europe. | |
| File:Uvs outline.png | Template:Nts | Uvs | File:Flag of Mongolia.svg Mongolia | Saline 1.9% (approx.) | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Greatest lake in Mongolia (by area). Very large catchment area (endorheic). |
| File:North aral outline.png | Template:Nts | North Aral Sea | Script error: No such module "flag". | Variable: from 0.9 to 1.2% | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Largest remnant of the former Aral Sea. Once the world's third largest lake. | |
| Template:Nts | Poyang | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest fresh water lake in China. Variable size. Important location for the birdlife. | |
| Template:Nts | Tana | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
The source of the Blue Nile. | |
| Template:Nts | Amadjuak | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
In geological terms, a "young" lake (approximately 4,500 years old). Second largest on Baffin Island, third largest in Nunavut. | |||
| Template:Nts | Melville | Script error: No such module "flag". | Saline 1.95% (approx. average of surface and bottom water) | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
Estuary connected with the Atlantic Ocean. Large drainage basin in the Labrador. | |
| Template:Nts | Bangweulu | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". (permanent) | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
One of the world's great wetland systems. The area has swamps and floodplain. Variable size on this shallow lake. Crucial importance for animals and birds, of a far larger area. |
Source for the 20 largest lakes (and their areas):[28]
Geological list
Following are the dozen largest lakes under geological definitions, down to Script error: No such module "convert". in area.
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Name | Countries with shoreline | Type | Area | Length | Max. depth |
Volume | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Michigan-Huron outline.png | Template:Nts | Michigan–Huron | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Contains Manitoulin Island, the world's largest lake island.[17] |
| File:Superior outline.gif | Template:Nts | Superior | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Largest of the Great Lakes by volume, having more water than the other four combined.[15] |
| File:Victoria outline.gif | Template:Nts | Victoria | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | The largest lake by area in Africa.[16] |
| File:Tanganyika outline.gif | Template:Nts | Tanganyika | Template:Ubli | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Second-largest lake by volume and second longest. |
| File:Baikal outline.gif | Template:Nts | Baikal | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Deepest lake in the world and largest by volume.[19] |
| File:Great bear outline.gif | Template:Nts | Great Bear Lake | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake entirely within Canada,[29] and the largest lake partially within the Arctic Circle |
| File:Nyasa outline.gif | Template:Nts | Malawi | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Has more species of fish than any other lake in the world.[21] |
| File:Great slave outline.gif | Template:Nts | Great Slave Lake | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Deepest lake in North America[22] |
| File:Erie outline.gif | Template:Nts | Erie | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Has the smallest volume of the Great Lakes. |
| File:Winnipeg outline.gif | Template:Nts | Winnipeg | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Very large catchment area compared to own size. No other great lake has that ratio. |
| File:Ontario outline.gif | Template:Nts | Ontario | Script error: No such module "flag". Script error: No such module "flag". |
Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | Script error: No such module "convert".[14] | The lowest lying of the Great Lakes. |
| File:Ladoga outline.gif | Template:Nts | Ladoga | Script error: No such module "flag". | Fresh | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Largest lake in Europe.[23] |
See also
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- List of lakes by volume
- List of lakes by depth
- List of largest lakes of Europe
- Recursive islands and lakes
- Aral Sea, formerly the third largest lake in the world, with an area of Script error: No such module "convert".
- Lake Chad, formerly the eleventh largest lake in the world, with an area of Script error: No such module "convert".
- Lake Urmia, formerly with an area of Script error: No such module "convert"., but down to a tenth that size in 2017. It has since increased in area under a restoration project.
- List of largest lagoons
- List of largest lakes and seas in the Solar System
Notes and references
Note: Lake areas may slightly vary depending on the sources.
- Notes
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- References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Table 1: The world's lakes >2000 km2 in area, arranged in decreasing order of lake area. See also Lakes (Formation, Diversity, Distribution) Template:Webarchive
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Planet Earth And the New Geoscience (2003:154). Victor Schmidt, William Harbert, University of Pittsburgh
- ↑ David Lees in Canadian Geographic writes, "Contrary to popular belief, the largest lake in the world is not Lake Superior but mighty Lake Michigan–Huron, which is a single hydrological unit linked at the Straits of Mackinac." Lees, David. "High and Dry" Canadian Geographic (May/June 2004) pp.94-108.
- ↑ "Lakes Michigan and Huron are considered to be one lake hydraulically because of their connection through the deep Straits of Mackinac." Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Great Lakes Sensitivity to Climatic Forcing: Hydrological Models Template:Webarchive." NOAA, 2006.
- ↑ "Lakes Michigan and Huron are considered to be one lake, as they rise and fall together due to their union at the Straits of Mackinac." U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, "Hydrological Components" Record Low Water Levels Expected on Lake Superior Template:Webarchive. August 2007. p.6
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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Further reading
- Largest lakes of the former USSR, Water Quality Assessment of the Former Soviet Union (1998). Template:ISBN.
- North America: Physical features, The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge (2011). Template:ISBN.
External links
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".