Explore the world’s largest lakes with our list, including List of largest lakes in the world by volume, List of largest salt lakes in the world, List of the biggest freshwater lakes in the world, List of largest man-made lakes in the world, and high-altitude lakes. Discover the top 10 World’s biggest lakes list globally, both natural and artificial, showcasing the diversity of these impressive water bodies.
A lake is a large body of water bordered on all sides by land. Lakes abound over the globe. They can be found on every continent and in a variety of habitats, including mountains and deserts, plains, and near the coast. The size of lakes varies a lot. Some are simply a few square meters in size, making them ideal for your backyard.
Ponds are a common name for small lakes like these. Other lakes are large enough to be referred to as seas. With a surface area of about 370,000 square kilometers with locations in Europe and Asia, the Caspian Sea is the world’s biggest lake.
In this article, We have covered the list of the Largest lakes in the world and many more in detail.
Largest lake in the world
Let’s dive right in.
List of Largest Lakes In The World By Volume
Here is the list of the Top 10 Largest lakes in the world in a tabular form.
|
Largest Lake In The World
|
|
No.
|
Lake
|
Country
|
Surface Area (Square Kilometers)
|
| 1 |
Caspian Sea |
Asia/Europe |
N/A (largest enclosed sea) |
| 2 |
Superior |
North America |
82,103 |
| 3 |
Victoria |
Africa (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya) |
68,800 |
| 4 |
Huron |
North America |
59,600 |
| 5 |
Michigan |
North America |
58,000 |
| 6 |
Tanganyika |
Africa (Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Congo) |
32,900 |
| 7 |
Baikal |
Russia (Siberia) |
31,722 |
| 8 |
Great Bear Lake |
Canada (Northwest Territories) |
31,080 |
| 9 |
Malawi (Lake Nyasa) |
Africa (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania) |
29,600 |
| 10 |
Great Slave Lake |
Canada (Northwest Territories) |
28,568 |
Note that although the Caspian Sea is not legally a sea, it is included in this list due to its size. The surface area values are approximations that may change in response to new information and sources.
1. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Caspian Sea
The largest lake in the world is actually the Caspian Sea, even though it is referred to as a sea. Many people believe it to be the biggest inland body of water in the world. The countries of Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan border the Caspian Sea, which is situated in both Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Although its surface area is subject to variations, it usually measures about 371,000 square kilometers, or 143,000 square miles. Furthermore, the Caspian Sea is renowned for its considerable depth, which may be found down to more than 1,000 meters (3,280 ft).
- Area: 389,000 sq. km (150,000 sq. mi)
- Length: 1,119 km (745 sq. mi)
- Depth: 1,025 m (3,363 sq. mi)
- Volume: 78,200 cu. km (18,800 cu mi)
- Location: Eastern Europe, West Asia and Central Asia
2. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Superior Lake
It is not common to refer to Lake Superior as the second-biggest lake; instead, it is frequently regarded as the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. On the other hand, if you’re talking about lakes that are biggest in terms of volume, Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia, is frequently cited as the deepest lake in the world. The largest of the five Great Lakes and the largest freshwater lake in terms of surface area is Lake Superior, which is situated in North America. With a surface size of over 82,103 square kilometers (31,700 square miles), it is renowned for both its noteworthy depth and breathtaking scenery.
- Area: 82,100 sq. km (31,700 sq. mi)
- Length: 616 km (383 mi)
- Depth: 406 m (1,332 feet)
- Volume: 12,070 cube km (2,900 cu. mi)
- Location: North America
3. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Victoria Lake
According to surface area and volume, Lake Victoria is sometimes ranked as the second and third largest freshwater lake in the world, respectively. It is a component of the African Great Lakes system and is situated in East Africa. Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya are the three nations that share Lake Victoria. With a maximum depth of roughly 84 meters (276 feet), it has a surface area of approximately 68,800 square kilometers (26,600 square miles).
Most people agree that Lake Superior in North America is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, while Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia is the largest by volume. It is noteworthy that rankings are subject to change based on the particular assessment criteria employed.
- Area: 59,940 sq. km (23,140 sq. mi)
- Length: 322 km (200 mi)
- Depth: 81m (266 feet)
- Volume: 2,420 cu. km (580 cu. mi)
- Location: African Great Lakes
4. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Huron Lake
Among the Great Lakes, Lake Huron is the third largest by volume and the second largest by surface area in the globe. It is connected to Michigan through the Straits of Mackinac. It has the largest shoreline of any Great Lake, spanning 3,800 miles, and is home to nearly 30,000 islands. Its dangerous seas are home to thousands of sunken ships; just 22 wreck sites may be found in Fathom Five National Marine Park. The area is well-known for its shipwrecks.
- Area: 59,590 sq. km
- Length: 332 km (206 mi)
- Depth: 229 m (751 ft.)
- Volume: 3,520 cu. km
- Location: Canada, North America
5. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Michigan Lake
The whole United States is home to Lake Michigan, which is situated in the northeastern region of the continent. Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois encircle it, and it is a member of the Great Lakes system. Approximately 58,000 square kilometers (22,400 square miles) make up the surface area of Lake Michigan, making it the second largest of the Great Lakes. The only body of water larger than it is Lake Superior.
- Area: 58,030 sq. km
- Length: 494 km (307 mi)
- Depth: 282 m (925 ft.)
- Volume: 4,930 cu. km
- Location: United States
6. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Tanganyika Lake
Lake Baikal in Russia is the largest freshwater lake by volume, with Lake Tanganyika coming in second. It is roughly 32,900 square kilometers in surface area (12,700 square miles). The lake is the second-deepest lake in the world after Lake Baikal, reaching a maximum depth of roughly 1,470 meters (4,820 feet). Approximately 18% of the freshwater available on Earth, excluding water held in the polar ice caps, is found in this freshwater lake.
- Area: 32,900 sq. km
- Length: 676 km (420 mi)
- Depth: 1,470 m (4,820 ft.)
- Volume: 18,750 cu. km
- Location: Tanzania, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia
7. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Baikal Lake
Located in Siberia, Russia, Lake Baikal is frequently regarded as the oldest and deepest freshwater lake in the world. It may not be the seventh-largest lake in terms of surface area, but it is the deepest and has the highest freshwater content. By volume, Lake Baikal is frequently regarded as the biggest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Baikal, with a maximum depth of roughly 1,642 meters (5,387 feet), is the deepest freshwater lake in the world. With a volume of over 23,600 cubic kilometers (5,662 cubic miles), it is the world’s largest freshwater lake by volume.
- Area: 31,722 sq. km
- Length: 636 km (395 mi)
- Depth: 1,642 m (5,387 ft.)
- Volume: 23,610 cu. km
- Location: Russia
8. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Great Bear Lake
Great Bear Lake is the largest lake entirely within Canada and the fourth-largest in North America. It is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada. There are many islands in the lake, but Bear Island, which is close to the eastern side, is the largest island. Along with its natural beauty and environmental significance, Great Bear Lake is significant to the Indigenous tribes in the area on an ecological and cultural level.
- Area: 31,153 sq. km
- Length: 373 km (232 mi)
- Depth: 446 m (1,463 ft.)
- Volume: 2,234 cu. km
- Location: Canada
9. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Malawi Lake
One of the African Great Lakes, Lake Malawi is situated in the East African Rift System and is also referred to as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique. By surface area, it is the ninth-largest lake worldwide and the third-largest in Africa. The surface area of Lake Malawi is approximately 29,600 square kilometers, or 11,400 square miles. After Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, it is the third-largest lake in Africa in terms of surface area. Lake Malawi is important for its cultural and recreational significance as well as its ecological and economic contributions to the area. The lake is a valuable natural resource for the nations it borders because of the rare fish species that inhabit there and its breathtaking scenery.
- Area: 29,600 sq. km
- Length: 579 km (360 mi)
- Depth: 706 m (2,316 ft.)
- Volume: 8,640 cu. km
- Location: Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania
10. List of largest lakes in the world by volume – Slave Lake
The second-largest lake in the nation is Great Slave Lake, which is situated in Canada’s Northwest Territories. With an approximate area of 28,568 square kilometers (11,030 square miles), Great Slave Lake is the second-largest lake wholly contained within Canada, after Great Bear Lake. The southern region of the Northwest Territories is home to Great Slave Lake. It is a component of the Mackenzie River system and is linked to it by the Slave River.
- Area: 27,200 sq. km
- Length: 480 km (300 mi)
- Depth: 614 m (2,014 ft.)
- Volume: 1,115 cu. km
- Location: Canada
List of Largest Salt Lakes in the World
- Caspian Sea: Although classified as a lake, it’s the largest saltwater lake in the world.
- Aral Sea: Once the fourth largest saltwater lake, now significantly reduced in size.
- Great Salt Lake: Located in Utah, USA, it’s the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
List of 10 Largest Lakes in the World
- Caspian Sea
- Lake Superior
- Lake Victoria
- Lake Huron
- Lake Michigan
- Lake Tanganyika
- Lake Baikal
- Great Bear Lake
- Lake Malawi
- Great Slave Lake
List of Highest Lakes in the World
- Ojos del Salado Pool: On the Argentina-Chile border, the highest lake globally.
- Tilicho Lake: Located in Nepal, one of the highest lakes accessible to trekkers.
- Lake Titicaca: The largest high-altitude lake in the world, on the Peru-Bolivia border.
List of Largest Man-Made Lakes in the World
- Lake Volta: Ghana’s Lake Volta is the largest by surface area.
- Lake Kariba: Situated between Zambia and Zimbabwe, it’s one of the largest by volume.
- Lake Nasser: Created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt.
List of the Biggest Freshwater Lakes in the World
- Lake Baikal: Holds the title for the largest freshwater lake by volume.
- Lake Superior: The largest by surface area in the Great Lakes chain.
- Lake Victoria: Africa’s largest lake by area, and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake.
World’s Biggest Lakes List
- This list encompasses both saltwater and freshwater bodies, with the Caspian Sea leading, followed by major freshwater lakes like Superior, Victoria, and Baikal.
Largest 10 Lakes in the World
- The list includes a mix of saltwater and freshwater lakes, with notable mentions being the Caspian Sea, Lake Superior, and Lake Victoria, highlighting their global significance in terms of size, ecological value, and geographical location.
Importance of Largest Lakes in the World
Lakes are important because of the following reasons:
- Lakes are very useful to human beings as they are used as tourist destinations and also used for the sports activities like boating, water sports, etc. It’s directly related to the income of the individual.
- Lakes are also helpful for the prevention of floods during heavy rainfall and in the dry season, it helps to maintain an even flow of water. Lakes help in maintaining the flow of a river.
- Lakes can be used for the production or development of hydel power. They moderate the climate surroundings by maintaining the aquatic ecosystem, enhancing the natural beauty, and also helping in developing tourism and providing recreation.
- Saltwater lake is also used for the production of salt.
List of 10 Largest Lakes In The World – FAQs
What are the 11 largest lakes in the world as of 2024?
The list includes the Caspian Sea, Lake Superior, Lake Victoria, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Baikal, and Great Bear Lake among others.
Which lake tops the list of the largest lakes in the world in 2024?
The Caspian Sea is recognized as the largest lake in the world by area.
What are some notable lakes in the top 15 largest lakes in 2024?
Lakes such as Lake Balkhash, Lake Ladoga, Lake Ontario, Lake Winnipeg, and Lake Erie are featured in the top 15.
How is Lake Superior ranked among the world’s largest lakes?
Lake Superior is often listed as the largest freshwater lake by surface area.
Can you provide details on the size of Lake Superior?
Lake Superior covers an area of 82,000 km² (31,700 sq mi), making it one of the largest freshwater lakes by surface area.
What criteria are used to rank the largest lakes in the world?
Lakes are ranked based on their surface area, volume, and sometimes by whether they are freshwater or saltwater.
Where can I find a comprehensive list of the world’s largest lakes?
Wikipedia’s “List of lakes by area” and other educational websites like Infoplease provide detailed lists and information on the world’s largest lakes.
Which is the largest lake of the world?
Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world. It is the largest saltwater lake that covers (Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Kazakhstan)
Which is largest lake in India?
Vembanad Lake, also known as Kochi Lake, is the largest lake in India
What is the smallest lake in the world?
Pookode Lake is the smallest lake in India.
Which lake is said to be the largest lake by volume??
The largest lake on Earth by volume, is the Lake Baikal in Russia with a depth of 1,642 meters. It is also the world’s deepest & oldest lake, having an unique ecosystem.
Which is the largest lake in the world by surface area?
The largest lake in the world by surface area is the Caspian Sea, spanning approximately 371,000 square kilometers.
Which is the largest fresh water lake in the world by volume?
The largest freshwater lake in the world by volume is Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia.
Which is the deepest lake in the world?
The deepest lake in the world is Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia, reaching a maximum depth of about 1,642 meters (5,387 feet).Which is the world’s largest inland lake?
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