The world is filled with many bodies of water. Among them are lakes that vary in size. Some may just be a few feet deep while others are thousands of feet in depth.
Here are 5 of the Largest Lakes in the World
- Lake Michigan, United States
Stats: 22,400 area in square miles, 321 miles in length, 923 feet maximum depth
This is one of the five “Great Lakes” and is the largest lake in the world that’s entirely in just one country. Both Milwaukee and Chicago are located on Lake Michigan’s shore. Millions of people visit this lake each year to see the nearby forests or take part in water related activities. Along the shore there are many rich agricultural areas to enjoy.
- Lake Huron, Canada
Stats: 23,010 area in square miles, 247 miles in length, 750 feet maximum depth
The largest lake island in the world, Manitoulin Island, is located in the waters of Lake Huron. The basin of this lake is heavily forested and quite beautiful. The lake itself hasn’t been that friendly to boaters over the years as there are many shipwrecks scattered throughout it.
- Lake Victoria, Tanzania-Uganda
Stats: 26,828 area in square miles, 200 miles in length, 270 feet maximum depth
This is the largest lake in Africa. The area surrounding Lake Victoria is very populated with millions of people living within about 50 miles of the shoreline. The area relies heavily on tourism and the fishing industry. Around 500 species of fish are known to live in the lake.
- Lake Baikal, Russia
Stats: 12,162 area in square miles, 395 miles in length, 5,712 feet maximum depth
This is the world’s deepest lake. Most people think it’s actually an ocean instead of a lake because of its enormous size. Lake Baikal is surrounded by large snowcapped mountains. There are also little villages and a variety of wildlife that inhabit the area.
- Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania-Congo
Stats: 12,700 area in square miles, 420 miles in length, 4,708 feet maximum depth
This is the second deepest lake in the world. It is located in four countries- Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Tanzania. The most popular thing to do at Lake Tanganyika is sport fishing. The area around Mpulungu is known for its swimming and boating. The water tends to be warm and clear and it’s actually a great place to surf.
