Lakes are defined as large bodies of water enclosed by land, often feature natural outflows via rivers or streams to regulate water levels.
However, some lakes lack these outflows and rely on evaporation and underground seepage for water loss.
They vary in size and habitat.
Most freshwater lakes are in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Canada, where there are over 2 million lakes, including 31,752 larger than 3 sq. km and 591 exceeding 100 sq. km.
10 Largest Fresh Water Lakes
- Lake Superior – 82,103 sq.km
- Lake Victoria – 59,947 sq.km
- Lake Huron – 59,588 sq. km
- Lake Michigan – 58,030 sq. km
- Lake Tanganyika – 32,900 sq. km
- Lake Baikal – 31,722 sq. km
- Great Bear Lake – 31,153 sq. km
- Lake Malawi -29,600 sq.km
- Great Slave Lake – 27,200 sq. km
- Lake Erie – 25,667 sq.km
1. Lake Superior – 82,103 Km2
- Lake Superior, the largest of the five Great Lakes in North America, covers approximately 82,103 sq. km, making it the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area.
- It also ranks third in volume, holding around 10% of the world’s surface freshwater.
- This expansive lake stretches 560km in length and boasts a maximum width of 260km, with a maximum depth of 406m and an average depth of 147m.
- Located at the northwest end of the Great Lakes chain, it is shared by Canada’s Ontario and the US states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
- Over 200 rivers flow into Lake Superior, and its waters eventually empty into Lake Huron via the St. Mary’s River.
- Notably, the lake is dotted with islands such as Apostle Islands, Slate Islands, Isle Royale, Michipicoten Island, and more.
2. Lake Victoria – 59,947 Km2
- Lake Victoria, spanning an expansive 59,947 sq. km, stands as the world’s largest tropical lake and the African continent’s largest body of water.
- Following Lake Superior, it ranks as the second-largest freshwater lake on Earth.
- Named by British Indian Army officer and explorer John Hanning Speke, this prominent member of Africa’s Great Lakes honors Queen Victoria.
- Its vast expanse is shared among African nations, with Tanzania claiming 49%, Uganda 45%, and Kenya 6% of its territory.
- Lake Victoria, despite its size, is relatively shallow, with a max depth of 81m and an average depth of 41m.
- It extends over 359km in length and boasts a maximum width of 337km.
- Lake Victoria, Nile’s primary reservoir, collects river waters and releases them via the Victoria Nile on its northern shore.
- Furthermore, Lake Victoria features several islands, including Rusinga, Ukerewe, Maboko, and more.
3. Lake Huron – 59,588 Km2
- Lake Huron, spanning about 59,588 sq. km, is North America’s second-largest Great Lake and the world’s third-largest freshwater lake by surface area.
- It resides in the eastern part of the Lake Michigan-Huron system, shared by the US state of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario.
- Lake Huron measures 332km in length, 295km in maximum width, with a max depth of 229m and an average depth of 59m.
- Within Lake Huron, you’ll find Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island globally.
- Transitioning to Lake Michigan, which spans 58,030 sq. km, it follows closely in size but holds a distinct position among the Great Lakes.
4. Lake Michigan – 58,030 Km2
- Encompassing approximately 58,030 sq. km.
- Lake Michigan, third-largest among North America’s Great Lakes, ranks fourth in the world for surface area among freshwater lakes.
- It exclusively occupies the western portion of the Lake Michigan-Huron system, entirely within the United States.
- Stretching 494km in length and boasting a maximum width of 190km, Lake Michigan plunges to a maximum depth of 281m, with an average depth of 85m.
- Connecting Lake Michigan to its eastern counterpart, Lake Huron, is the Straits of Mackinac.
5. Lake Tanganyika – 32,900 Km2
- Spanning 32,900 sq. km, Lake Tanganyika stands as Africa’s Great Lake and the world’s longest freshwater lake.
- Notably, it also claims the rank of the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by volume and stands as the second-oldest among freshwater lakes.
- Shared by the African nations of Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Burundi, Lake Tanganyika possesses unique characteristics.
- It stands as Africa’s largest rift lake and delves into remarkable depths, plunging to a maximum of 1470m.
- Lake Tanganyika gathers river waters (Ruzizi, Malagarasi, Kalambo) into the Congo River via the Lukuga River, reaching the Atlantic Ocean
- Additionally, the lake is home to significant islands, including Kavala, Mamba-Kayenda, Milima, and Kumbula Island.
6. Lake Baikal – 31,722 Km2
- Lake Baikal, covering 31,722 sq. km, is the world’s largest freshwater lake by volume, holding about 23% of Earth’s freshwater.
- Located in Siberia’s south, it borders Russia’s Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast.
- A rift lake, 636km long and up to 79km wide, is the world’s deepest, with a maximum depth of 1,642m and an average depth of 744.4m.
- Lake Baikal is fed by rivers like Sarma, Selenga, Turka, and Barguzin, and it drains through the Angara River.
- Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
- 7. Great Bear Lake – 31,153 Km2
- Covering 31,153 sq. km, Great Bear Lake is North America’s fourth-largest lake and Canada’s largest.
- Located entirely within Canada’s borders, this irregularly-shaped lake is in the Northwest Territories on the Arctic Circle.
- Max depth: 446m, average depth: 71.7m. Feeding rivers: Haldane, Whitefish, Bloody, Big Spruce. Exits via Great Bear River to Mackenzie River.
8. Lake Malawi -29,600 Km2
- Lake Malawi, an African Great Lake, spans 29,600 sq. km, ranking as Africa’s third-largest.
- Situated on the Tanzania-Mozambique-Malawi border, it’s known as “Lago Niassa” in Mozambique and “Lake Nyasa” in Tanzania.
- With dimensions of 560-580km in length and a max width of 75km.
- Lake Malawi is the world’s sixth-deepest and Africa’s second-deepest lake, reaching 706m at its deepest point and averaging 292m in depth.
- Several rivers and streams, led by the Ruhuhu River, flow in, and its waters exit through the Shire River, ultimately merging with the Zambezi River.
- 9. Great Slave Lake – 27,200 Km2
- Great Slave Lake, covering 27,200 sq. km, is Canada’s second-largest lake entirely within its borders.
- The lake is irregularly shaped, 469km long, 203km wide, North America’s deepest at 614m max, and averages 41m in depth.
- Significant rivers, including Slave, Hay, Lockhart, Taltson, and Yellowknife, feed it, and it drains via the Mackenzie River.
10. Lake Erie – 25,667 Km2
- Lake Erie, spanning 25,667 sq. km, ranks as the fourth-largest among North America’s Great Lakes and the smallest by volume.
- It’s the southernmost of the Great Lakes, shared by Ontario (Canada) and Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York (USA).
- It’s 388km long, 92km wide, with max depth of 64m and average depth of 19m.
- Many rivers, including Detroit, Grand, Huron, and Buffalo Rivers, flow in, and it drains via the Niagara River.
The article highlights the world’s top 10 largest freshwater lakes, predominantly in North America, and a few in Africa and Asia.
These lakes support diverse ecosystems but face threats from human activities, causing water quality decline
List Of The 25 Largest Freshwater Lakes By Area, Surface Area And Water Volume:
1. Superior
- Surface area: 82,100 km²
- Water volume: 11,600 km³
2. Victoria
- Surface area: 68,800 km²
- Water volume: 2,700 km³
3. Huron
- Surface area: 59,600 km²
- Water volume: 3,540 km³
4. Michigan
- Surface area: 58,000 km²
- Water volume: 4,920 km³
5. Tanganyika
- Surface area: 32,900 km²
- Water volume: 18,900 km³
6. Baikal
- Surface area: 31,722 km²
- Water volume: 23,600 km³
7. Great Bear
- Surface area: 31,153 km²
- Water volume: 2,236 km³
8. Malawi
- Surface area: 29,600 km²
- Water volume: 7,725 km³
9. Great Slave
- Surface area: 27,200 km²
- Water volume: 1,580 km³
10. Erie
Surface area: 25,667 km²
– Water volume: 488 km³
11. Winnipeg – Surface area: 24,514 km² – Water volume: 294 km³
12. Ontario – Surface area: 18,960 km² – Water volume: 1,710 km³
13. Ladoga – Surface area: 17,891 km² – Water volume: 912 km³
14. Vostok – Surface area: 15,690 km² – Water volume: ~5,400 km³
15. Onega – Surface area: 9,700 km² – Water volume: 291 km³
16. Titicaca – Surface area: 8,372 km² – Water volume: 896 km³
17. Nicaragua – Surface area: 8,264 km² – Water volume: 110 km³
18. Athabasca – Surface area: 7,850 km² – Water volume: 204 km³
19. Reindeer – Surface area: 6,650 km² – Water volume: 113 km³
20. Vänern – Surface area: 5,650 km² – Water volume: 153 km³
21. Nettilling – Surface area: 5,542 km² – Water volume: 130 km³
22. Albert – Surface area: 5,300 km² – Water volume: 133 km³
23. Nipigon – Surface area: 4,848 km² – Water volume: 266 km³
24. Khövsgöl – Surface area: 2,760 km² – Water volume: 381 km³
25. Kivu – Surface area: 2,700 km² – Water volume: 648 km³
