Lakes are some of the most remarkable natural features on earth, and the largest ones can be found in various corners of the globe. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 largest lakes in the world by surface area, including their depth, location, and other interesting facts:
Top 10 Largest Lakes in the World |
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| Lake Name | Area (sq mi) | Depth (ft) | Location | Description |
| Caspian Sea | 143,000 | 3,359 | Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan | Largest lake in the world and an important source of oil and natural gas |
| Lake Superior | 31,700 | 1,332 | Canada, United States | Largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area |
| Lake Victoria | 26,590 | 270 | Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya | Largest lake in Africa and home to over 500 species of fish |
| Lake Huron | 23,000 | 750 | Canada, United States | Second-largest of the Great Lakes of North America |
| Lake Michigan | 22,400 | 923 | United States | Only Great Lake located entirely within the United States |
| Lake Tanganyika | 12,700 | 4,823 | Tanzania, Congo, Burundi, Zambia | Second-deepest lake in the world and longest freshwater lake in the world |
| Lake Baikal | 12,248 | 5,387 | Russia | Deepest lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake by volume |
| Great Bear Lake | 12,000 | 1,463 | Canada | Largest lake entirely within Canada and a popular spot for fishing |
| Lake Malawi | 11,400 | 2,316 | Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania | Ninth-largest lake in the world and home to over 1,000 species of fish |
| Great Slave Lake | 10,000 | 2,014 | Canada | Second-largest lake entirely within Canada and home to many species of fish |
As you can see from the table, the Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world by far, with a surface area of 143,000 square miles. However, it’s not actually a sea, but rather a lake, and it’s home to over 130 species of fish. These lakes are truly magnificent natural wonders that continue to inspire and awe people all over the world.