The deepest lake in the world. Okavango River: dissolving in the desert and giving life A lake where no other river flows

A group of 5 karst lakes in the Chereksky district of Kabardino-Balkaria is located approximately 30 km south of Nalchik.

The lowest lake of this group is the most unique with a relatively small surface of 235 by 130 meters, its depth reaches 258 meters, and water saturated with hydrogen sulfide gives the lake a rich blue color.

The surface water temperature in winter and summer is about +9 degrees. This attracts divers from all over the world - a modern diving center has been built on the shores of the Lower Lake, which operates both in summer and winter.

Not a single stream or river flows into the lake, but about 70 million liters of water flow out every day. The lake level remains unchanged, which is explained by powerful underwater sources.

The nature here is quite picturesque: green hills, dense beech forests on steep slopes, and in the distance, in the blue haze, peaks sparkling in the sun.

2. Lake Khanka

Lake Khanka is located on the border of the Primorsky Territory of Russia and the Heilongjiang Province of China.

This is the largest freshwater body of water in the Far East. Area 4070 km² (at average water level), length 95 km.

24 rivers flow into the lake, and the Sungacha River flows into it.

The international Russian-Chinese Khanka Nature Reserve has been organized on the lake.

Due to its location, it attracts a large number of tourists who can get acquainted with the culture and customs of two countries at once. About 75 species of fish live in the waters of this lake, and even some of them are listed in the Red Book of Russia.

3. Seliger

Seliger is a system of lakes of glacial origin in the Tver and Novgorod regions of Russia. This lake is also called Ostashkovskoye, after the name of the city of Ostashkov, located on the lake shore.

The area of ​​the lake is 260 km². The area of ​​the entire basin is 2275 km².

Seliger receives 110 tributaries, and only one river, Selizharovka, flows out of it.

4. Topozero

Topozero is a crystal clear, deserted lake-sea, one of the largest lakes in Karelia.

It has an area of ​​986 sq. km, a length of 75.3 km, a width of 30.3 km, 144 islands with a total area of ​​63 sq. km. Topozero is part of the Kum reservoir system.

The rivers flowing into Topozero are Kizreka, Valazreka, Taka, the rivers flowing out are Pongoma, which flows into the White Sea, and Sofyanga, which flows into Pyaozero.

The nature and landscapes of Topozero are very beautiful. In the wide part of the lake, the opposite shores and chains of islands disappear beyond the horizon, the shores of the lake are often clad in sheer rocky embankments, but there are also real harbors with sandy beaches protected by cliffs. You can see extensive sandy and rocky shallows and swamps. There are a lot of berries in the swamps and forests: cloudberries, blueberries, blueberries, lingonberries.

Topozero keeps the secrets of history. Once upon a time, hermit monks lived on Zhiloy Island, spreading the Old Believer faith among the residents of villages on the shores of the lake.

The lake is ideal for sailing and kayaking routes. Numerous islands offer tired travelers overnight stops.

Fishing on Topozero is interesting and varied. The long rocky shallows are interesting for those who like to catch grayling; in the bays and lambins there are perch, roach and pike.

5. Raspberry Lake

One of the most beautiful places in Siberia is Raspberry Lake, Altai Territory. The reservoir is the largest bitter-salty lake among the Borovye lakes in this region. Its area is 11.4 square kilometers. Raspberry Lake may surprise you with the unusual color of its water. The reason for this is a branchial crustacean called Artemia salina, which lives in it. It produces a pink pigment that, when released into water, colors it. The color changes throughout the year. In spring it is the brightest and most saturated, and in autumn it turns brown. Since ancient times, the crustacean has been considered a food product, but today the crustacean is used only to feed fish fry.

Foreigners who were lucky enough to share a meal with the Great Empress Catherine II were surprised by the unusual pinkish-raspberry salt served to the table. They had never seen such a curiosity anywhere else. And the Russians knew that it was being brought from the far, far away Kulunda steppe, located at the foot of the Altai Mountains. But few could visit those distant places - it was so difficult to get there. There were only legends that there was a huge pink lake splashing there, and after swimming in it, motherless women soon gave birth to babies, and the pockmarked ones became prettier. And in the modern world, getting to those regions costs nothing, so many of our compatriots know for sure about the healing salty waters of Raspberry Lake. It really helps improve women’s health, has a beneficial effect on the skin (rejuvenates and cleanses it), relieves fatigue and muscle pain, treats inflammation, and swimming in the waters of this lake is a pleasure. There are also very beautiful landscapes here, so it’s an excellent place to relax and very popular among Siberians. However, tourists also come here from the European part of the country.

Lakes occupy about 1.8% of the globe, mostly small, quiet bodies of water with gently sloping sandy shores. But there are real giant lakes, several hundred kilometers long, with an area larger than some seas, on the surface of which real storms with multi-meter waves rage. Meet the ten largest lakes in the world.

10. Great Slave Lake

Great Slave Lake has an area of ​​28,930 km², and is the remains of a body of water formed after the melting of glaciers formed during the Ice Age. This is the deepest lake in North America, located in Canada, with a depth of 614 meters, which is bordered on one side by the tundra and on the other by the Canadian boundary shield. The name of the lake was given in honor of the Indian tribe that lived on the shore, whose name was very similar to the English word “slave”, which translates as “slave”.

9. Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi, also known as Nyasa, with an area of ​​30,044 km 2, contains 7% of the world's fresh water reserves. The reservoir is a depression on the border of Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi, 706 meters deep, into which 14 rivers flow. Storms often rage along the steep shores of the lake, during which shipping almost completely stops.

8. Great Bear Lake

Canada's largest lake, Great Bear Lake has an area of ​​31,153 km². The reservoir is located beyond the Arctic Circle at an altitude of 186 meters above sea level and has a depth of 413 meters. It was from uranium mined on the shores of Great Bear Lake that the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were made.

7. Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal, with an area of ​​31,722 km², is the largest freshwater reservoir in the world, storing 19% of the world's freshwater reserves. The reservoir, 1,637 meters deep, was formed at the site of a tectonic fault, and is surrounded on all sides by hills and mountains. By the way, this is the deepest lake in the world, where more than 300 rivers flow into and only one river, the Angara, flows out. Most importantly, Baikal and its shores are home to a large number of animals and plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.

6. Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika, with an area of ​​32,893 km 2, located on the border of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi, was formed at the site of a tectonic fault on the border of the African and Arabian tectonic plates. It is the second deepest (its depth is 1,470 meters) enclosed body of water in the world and the second largest fresh water lake in the world. It also bears the title of the longest lake in the world, stretching 673 kilometers from north to south. The shores of Tanganyika are high cliffs and only on the eastern side there are flat areas. Due to the fact that the lake was formed many millions of years ago with a closed ecosystem, there are many unique species of fish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

5. Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, with an area of ​​58,000 km2, is the only one of the five Great Lakes that is entirely located in the United States. It is located at an altitude of 177 meters above sea level, its depth is 281 meters. Michigan is located high in northern latitudes and its waters are frozen for about four months of the year.

4. Lake Huron

Lake Huron, on the border of the USA and Canada, with an area of ​​59,600 km 2, has a depth of 229 meters and is located at an altitude of 176 meters above sea level. The most interesting thing is that Huron has a simply huge number of islands, more than 30 thousand, among which Manitoulin Island stands apart, the largest freshwater island in the world, which in turn contains the largest inland lake in the world - Manitou, with an area of ​​106 km 2.

3. Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, with an area of ​​69,485 km2, is the largest African and tropical lake in the world. The reservoir was formed in a depression on the East African platform on the border of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda at an altitude of 1134 meters above sea level. The lake with a large number of bays, bays and islands is surrounded by low swampy shores, only in the southwestern part does the water rest against sharply rising rocks. Victoria has a depth of 84 meters, the main source of water replenishment of which is tropical rains. By the way, the longest river in the world, the Nile, originates from here.

2. Lake Superior

The second largest lake in the world and the largest in North America, Lake Superior, has an area of ​​82,414 km 2. The reservoir was formed in the basin as a result of the movement of tectonic plates and soil erosion, which was filled with water from melted glaciers. Strong winds constantly blow over the lake, 406 meters deep, not protected by mountains, which is why strong seiches (standing waves) often form on its surface, severely destroying the shores.

1. Caspian Sea

The largest lake in the world is the Caspian Sea, yes, it is a lake, despite the fact that it is most often called a sea, has an area of ​​371,000 km 2. The banks of this reservoir are flat and swampy, only in the northern part they are strongly indented, in the area of ​​​​the delta of the Volga and Ural rivers. The Caspian Sea, which is located on the border of Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, has a depth of 1025 meters. The most interesting thing is that this lake appeared as a result of tectonic shifts, which led to the appearance of a closed body of water separated from the world ocean.

Rivers are picturesque arteries through which the blood of the earth flows. From the very beginning of human history, people have tried to set up settlements and build houses in the coastal zone. Water gave them life. Here they watered the cattle, bathed and cultivated the land. In Ancient Rus', rivers were called “God’s roads.”

Both in winter and in summer they had their own strategic importance. In the warm season, merchant ships glided along large waterways, and in winter, when the surface of the reservoir was covered with an icy surface, merchants transported their goods on sleighs directly across the ice.

Just as blood is important for the human body, fresh water is necessary for the life of nature. Rivers are the main element of the blue planet Earth. As you know, each of them has its own beginning - a source.

Where do they come from?

Almost all rivers have a different source: somewhere a seething stream begins with a small spring, somewhere with a huge waterfall, some rivers are born as a result of snow caps. Such waters are called mountain streams. They are distinguished by their high speed and low temperature; their current can easily carry away even huge blocks of stone. Such rivers are dangerous and unpredictable.

In fact, each begins with its own drainage basin, which, in turn, is fed by many sources. In the spring, when snow and ice melt, rivers are regularly replenished with new water and become fuller, as a result of which they sometimes even overflow. This can be a big problem for coastal residents. As a result of such spills, farmers may lose their crops, and houses built next to the river will become wet and destroyed.

Rivers and their beds

Blue Highways form a giant network of water on the surface of the earth. There are more than 2 million rivers in Russia, 200 of which are quite large. Even huge ships can sail along them. The more modest ones barely cover their muddy bottom. It is known to form a valley and form wide bends in it. Each channel is unique, it has its own slope, individual width and flow. Each “blue ribbon” has its own beginning, its own character and life activity. The flora and fauna of rivers are often similar due to the presence of fresh water.

Where do rivers flow and where do they end?

In the summer, when the temperature rises and the evaporation of moisture increases significantly, the river sources become shallow, and the water flows themselves narrow somewhat. After the spring melting of the ice, the river returns to its original channel to flow further to its end. Wherever the river flows go! They flow into oceans, lakes, seas, and also into other rivers. It is generally accepted that they flow from a hill, heading down.

If we take into account the water flows of Russia, most of them carry their waters to the Arctic Ocean, and only a few to the Atlantic. In the place where the river flows into the sea, the water is desalinated, thanks to which some species of living beings have been able to adapt to life in fresh water bodies.

Volga is the largest water artery

This is one of the most picturesque and largest rivers not only in the country, but also in Europe. It stretches for almost 4,000 kilometers. So, where does it flow? Having originated in the Tver region, it travels along a winding route, divides into many branches and flows into the Caspian Sea. This amazing river has about 200 tributaries, the largest of which are the Oka and Kama. It is worth mentioning that some rivers flow into closed lakes, where their vigorous activity ends.

Current direction

How can you determine where the river flows in your area? In fact, everything is extremely simple. You don't need to be a geologist to understand where rivers flow. First of all, you need to pick up a map and find the desired water flow on it. If a reservoir is shown on the drawing, then the direction of its bed will be clearly indicated by a blue arrow. It happens that you need to determine this while being in nature without a map. What to do in this case? By looking carefully, you can see in which direction the current is moving.

Where in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres? In both the first and second cases, they flow to their mouths. Curious to know what's the difference between them? Their currents are directed in opposite directions. This is regulated not only by the position of the equator, but also by the terrain. For example, we can say with confidence that the source is invariably located significantly higher than the mouth, therefore the water mass, obeying the physical law of universal gravitation, flows from top to bottom.

Unique water flows

People asked the question of where rivers come from and where they flow even at the dawn of human history. Since then, amazing and unusual natural phenomena have been revealed to their eyes more than once. A striking example of this are rivers that can change. Previously, people explained this by the intervention of the gods and interpreted it in their own way, perceiving such changes as signs from above. With the advent of new technologies, it became obvious that there really are bodies of water where the mouth and source sometimes change places, but modern scientists have found a more logical explanation for this.

It turned out that the main factor provoking the change in flow was underground groundwater. When the water level in them begins to fluctuate, this affects the surface flow. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the world around us: where do rivers flow, why do certain phenomena occur? However, it is worth remembering that there is nothing meaningless in nature, everything is created for a specific purpose and functions properly, supporting the life of every living creature.

Practice shows that despite the fact that we live in an age of technology and general technical progress, the purpose of the earth’s waterways has not changed, although the reservoirs themselves have become the subject of careful study and scientific experiments. In recent decades, scientists have been absorbed in studying the structure and molecules of water. Their research proves that this unique liquid is incomparable to any other, it is truly alive! Where do the rivers flow? The surrounding world and nature have provided comprehensive answers to this and many other questions.

Many people are interested in the question - which lake is the deepest in the world? Baikal- the deepest lake in the world. It is located in the southeastern part of Russia and occupies a vast territory of the central part of the Asian continent. Due to its greatness, the deepest lake in the world, Baikal, has several more beautiful names. The body of water is called a deep or clear eye, a sacred lake, a mighty sea. Locals usually call it the Baikal Sea.
This lake stores the largest reserves of fresh water on the planet, which have a unique composition. The water is not only clean and transparent, but in terms of the content of mineral salts it can be compared to distilled water.
In area, the deepest lake in the world, Baikal, is almost equal to Holland. There are several dozen islands on it. Its length is 635 km, the largest width in the center is 80 km, and the narrowest part is located in the Selenga region and is 27 km. The lake is located at an altitude of more than 450 km relative to sea level, and the length of its coast is approximately 2000 km. More than half of this coastal area is protected by the state.
More than 300 rivers fill the deepest lake in the world, Baikal, with their waters; at least half of this volume falls on the Selenga River, and only the Angara flows out of it. Baikal is surrounded by mountain ranges and numerous hills. On the West Coast the terrain is more rocky and steep than on the East.

Some tourists are actively interested in where the deepest lake in the world is located? These places are famous for their picturesque landscapes and unique diversity of wildlife, which makes them interesting for tourists. The region has the status of a protected area of ​​global importance. In terms of the number of rare plants growing only in these parts, it surpasses even the flora of Madagascar and the Galapagos Islands. Numerous resorts are located here. The best time to visit the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal, is considered to be from the end of April to the end of October. In the summer months, tourists can go on various excursions and hikes, fish, dive, hunt, relax on the beach, and in winter, skiing, ice fishing and ice rafting are popular.
You can get to these places by plane or train. There are direct flights to Ulan-Ude and Irkutsk. The journey there from Moscow by plane will take 6 hours, and by train you will have to travel about 4 days. Now you know where the deepest lake in the world is.

The question of the origin of Lake Baikal has long been a source of heated debate in the scientific world and creates the ground for a variety of, sometimes fantastic, guesses and hypotheses. How was this lake formed with crystal clear water, surrounded by picturesque mountains and unique nature?
The Buryat legend tells of the Great Fire, which consumed the earth and contributed to the origin of Lake Baikal. The sea emerged from the resulting void. The legend has not been scientifically confirmed, and scientists have been studying this problem for a long time.
Back in the eighteenth century, the Germans Palass and Georgi formulated a scientifically based assumption on this topic. They took part in the Siberian expedition, which was organized by the St. Petersburg Academy around 1970. Scientists argued that the cause of the emergence of Baikal was the failure of the land caused by a natural disaster. Most likely it was an earthquake. They believed that before the events described, a large river flowed there, flowing into the Yenisei. It took into its channel all the waters that today flow into Lake Baikal. A century later, the Pole Yanchevsky proposed his hypothesis, basing it on data obtained during a trip to the Baikal region. He believed that this reservoir was formed due to a natural disaster, after which the earth's crust began to slowly shrink.
There were many scientists who proposed their theories, but they often echoed each other and their guesses about the origin of Lake Baikal differed only in details. Vladimir Obruchev came closest to the modern understanding of the process as a result of which the Baikal Basin was formed. He suggested that it all began after the Siberian mountain system was formed. The depression was formed after the subsidence of a large area of ​​land on both sides of the gap.
In the second half of the 20th century, thanks to scientific advances, scientists made significant progress in the study of this problem. The global fault system or world rift theory, discovered at that time, brought some clarity. According to this discovery, Baikal arose as a result of processes on a planetary scale and that there are several similar formations on the surface of the earth. Tanganyika and the Red Sea are some of them.
At the end of the 20th century, scientists from many countries dealt with this problem. The Lake Baikal basin is considered one of the central links of the Baikal rift. It stretches for more than 2.5 thousand km and is located on the very border of the Eurasian and Indonesian-Australian lithospheric plates. At first it was believed that the rift appeared due to the collision of plates, but after a detailed study of new data, they found out that the reason for everything was the anomalous heating of the mantle.
The lava that floated up and spread in different directions formed massifs of mountain ranges that surround the lake. This spreading over a plane heated to very high magma temperatures caused the appearance of large faults. As a result, this caused the formation of a depression, which later became Lake Baikal.
As new knowledge emerged and geophysical techniques developed, interesting details and a scientifically verified chronological sequence of the formation of this unique lake emerged.

In addition to numerous large and small streams, almost 300 rivers and streams flow into it. In addition to three navigable rivers, the Upper Angara, Barguzin and Selenga, several more can be named, especially notable for their size: Turka, Snezhnaya, Barguzin, Buguldeika. And only the only Angara carries its waters to the northwest, flowing out of the mighty lake.

Only it receives the full force of its waters from Lake Baikal and carries them through the center of Russia for hundreds of kilometers. Its width at the source is about 2 km. In this place there is a giant rock, called the Shaman Stone by the locals. As the legend says, father Baikal threw this block at his daughter running away from him. She decided to rush off to the handsome Yenisei, although her father wanted to marry her to a hero named Irkut.
The Angara, like other rivers of Lake Baikal, is a beautiful and clean river. Its length is about 1800 kilometers.

The Selenga, as a river of Lake Baikal, is the largest of all the rivers that flow into the lake. The source of the river is in Mongolia, then it flows through Russian soil, completing its path by dividing in the delta of the lake itself. It carries almost half of all the water entering Baikal.

The Upper Angara is a fast mountain river with a large number of rapids. Even when it finds itself on the plain, it continues to meander and divide, in order to later unite in a single channel. Near Baikal itself, like other rivers of Lake Baikal, it pacifies its waters and becomes calmer.

Another river of Lake Baikal flows in Buryatia, descending along a mountain range, after which it carries its restless waters along rocky rapids. In the upper reaches there is a large nature reserve. It passes through taiga valleys, a gorge and a mountain range.
This place is very attractive to fans of rafting along mountain rapids. The sections intended for this purpose do not even have a minimum category of difficulty, which means they can be passed without much risk to life. Although the river also has areas with a dangerous bottom, sharp rocks and waterfalls.
The deepest lake is an amazing, mysterious and not fully explored miracle of nature. It is fed by the same unique rivers, which carry their waters through the most beautiful regions and protected areas, preserving their pristine nature. Every effort must be made to preserve this rich supply of crystal clear water and its rare ecosystem.

There are many unusual territories on earth that combine several features that distinguish them from other places. Baikal is one of these regions. This is the cleanest lake in Russia, with perfectly clear water, which contains practically no mineral impurities. And it also has enormous depth - the greatest among all the lakes in the world.
Thanks to its special geographical characteristics, this corner of nature attracts the attention of people from different parts of the world. The maximum recorded depth of the lake is 1640 meters. With this indicator, Baikal is ahead of all lakes on the globe. Next after the Russian leader, Tanganyika is very much inferior to him. Its greatest depth does not exceed 160 meters. In combination with the huge area of ​​Baikal, which is equal to Holland, these gigantic scales are simply impossible to imagine.
One of the reasons for such a great depth of Lake Baikal and its area is the presence of many rivers that flow into it. The approximate number of tributaries is approximately 300. With such a significant replenishment, Baikal continues in only one river - the Angara. It should be noted that the reservoir is considered the largest natural reservoir on the planet, with perfectly clean fresh water. In terms of these parameters, even the Great Lakes in North America taken together cannot compare with it. Its waters reach a volume of 23,600 m3.
The very great depth of Lake Baikal, combined with the impressive area of ​​this lake, explains the fact that locals call it the sea. This ancient body of water on the surface of the Earth appeared as a result of complex processes occurring in the earth's crust. Approximately 25 million years have passed since its formation began. It continues now. Scientists believe that Baikal could be the beginning of the emergence of a new ocean, which should not appear tomorrow, of course, but its emergence in the future is recognized by the scientific world as a proven fact.
Due to the maximum depth of Lake Baikal and the high level of the shoreline, which is 455 meters greater than the surface of the ocean, the basin of the reservoir is deservedly defined as the deepest depression on Earth.

The water of Lake Baikal is unusually clean and transparent. Using a Secchi disk, a test was carried out, according to which the transparency of the lake was 40 meters, but, for example, in the Caspian Sea, it is not even 25 meters. Alpine reservoirs, known for their purity, are inferior to Baikal in these parameters. The transparency of a reservoir may vary depending on several factors. The river mouth and shallow waters give way to areas of great depth. Seasonal changes in the life activity of microflora also have an effect.
The water of Lake Baikal meets all the criteria for high-quality drinking water. Its purity and unique properties are explained by the influence of microorganisms and vegetation. Small epishura crustaceans, which live in huge numbers in the lake, act as a biofilter. An armada of such crustaceans is capable of cleaning the upper layers 3-4 times a year. There are almost no organic impurities and dissolved substances in the reservoir.
The mineral composition of the water is very poor, not even 100 mg/liter, and includes silicon, calcium and magnesium. Other bodies of water have concentrations of similar substances ranging from 400 mg/liter. There is no hydrogen sulfide in Baikal, but oxygen is present in large quantities both in the upper layers and at the very depths. Its water has excellent qualities. Its purity can only be surpassed by water from Crater Lake in the United States, which is considered a natural analogue of the distillate.
Nowadays, only Baikal in the world is an open reservoir with water suitable for consumption, which does not require additional treatment. The ideal water of Lake Baikal is now bottled on an industrial scale. It is taken at a depth of about 410 meters. The top layers protect it from any surface contamination.
The temperature in the lake is unique. It is influenced not only by climatic conditions, but also by the abnormal depth of the lake. The highest water temperature is 15 degrees. As depth increases, temperature decreases. At around 25 meters it is only 10 degrees, and at a depth of 250 meters and below, the temperature is 3 - 5 degrees. Shallow water sometimes manages to warm up to 24 degrees.

Lake Baikal and its surrounding areas are one of the most unique and richest regions in terms of natural treasures. There are nature reserves, nature reserves, national parks and protected natural monuments here. Together there are about two hundred such territories. Almost the entire Baikal region is under state protection. Only in a few industrially developed areas: Baikalsk, Slyudyanka, Severobaikalsk, Kultuk and Babushkin, due to the developed industrial complex, there are no serious restrictions on the work of local enterprises.
The protection of Lake Baikal is carried out not only in the Russian Federation, since these territories are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Russia there is Federal Law No. 94 FZ, “On the protection of Lake Baikal”. He determined the status of protected areas, the protection regime, and the possibilities of using the natural resources of the region. Since part of the unique territory around Lake Baikal is part of China and Mongolia, there is a problem with organizing the protection of the entire complex, due to difficulties associated with the need to coordinate actions with foreign partners. The disunity of environmental services and bodies that supervise this area also has a negative impact.
The main thing that needs to be done to protect Lake Baikal is to preserve the unique natural complex in its pristine purity, which is practically no longer found in the world. We have to save amazingly beautiful places with unique climatic, geological, biosphere and other conditions in which living nature can exist. Some territories will have to remain free from many types of economic activity due to their distance from civilization. They are located in hard-to-reach areas where transport connections are often lacking. Law enforcement agencies and the ranger service must provide assistance in protecting the environment and preventing hunting of rare animals and birds, illegal fishing and destruction of plants.

The uniqueness of Lake Baikal lies in its record depth, unusual geographical location, ideal purity of water and, of course, its vast territory. The lake is located in Russia, in the east of Siberia and is the natural border of two regions of the Russian Federation. With a maximum depth of 1640 m, the area of ​​Lake Baikal is 31 thousand km 2. It exceeds the size of the territories of such states as Holland or Belgium. In the world rankings of the largest lakes, it is in 6th place.
The area of ​​Lake Baikal in the center of Asia is 365 kilometers long and no less than 80 kilometers wide. This entire territory is surrounded by rows of mountain ranges and is located in a wide basin. It could accommodate waters from 92 seas, such as the Azov Sea. It contains almost 20% of the world's fresh water.
Among the coastal areas there are numerous hills. On the west, the shores are rocky and steep, while on the east coast the terrain is not so steep. In some places, mountain ranges are located tens of kilometers from the coast.
Baikal did not suffer the fate of other ancient lakes, and it did not turn into a swamp. On the contrary, its area is only increasing every year, and scientists predict that the area of ​​Lake Baikal will expand to gigantic proportions and become a new ocean.

The nature of Lake Baikal is amazing and unusual. There is no such diversity of flora and fauna anywhere on the planet. The rarest specimens of flora and fauna are found in these parts.

Vegetable world

There are few places on earth that can evoke as much surprise and delight in a botanist as the Baikal region. Currently, science identifies about 1 thousand different plant species that grow in the vicinity of this wonderful lake. Most of them are endemic. This means that they grow only in these areas. The diverse natural conditions and multimillion-year history of these territories have preserved the local ecosystem in its original form. They determined the emergence of this magnificent natural reserve, where many relict plants are preserved that have long disappeared in other parts of our planet.
Along the banks there are pines, spruces, firs and cedars - traditional Siberian trees, and only the southern shore of the lake is decorated with blue spruces. The origin of this species still remains a mystery. Olkhon Island is located in the middle of Baikal and has relict thickets. This is mainly a spruce forest that has retained its original appearance since the Paleolithic. In the west of the lake there is a tundra-steppe, with relict plants preserved since the end of the Ice Age. The combination of special tundra plants with steppe species is not found anywhere else on the planet.
The nature of Lake Baikal pleases with a bright green carpet of herbs and flowers, covered with forest slopes, where you can often find an abundance of rare berries and fragrant wild rosemary.

Animal world

Scientists believe that the fauna of the deepest lake is ancient and consists of a large number of different animals, including very rare ones. More than 2.5 thousand species of animals live here, more than half of which are endemic. First of all, it is worth noting microscopic crustaceans called the endemic epishura, which are a biological filter. Their presence is one of the main factors influencing the crystal purity of lake water.
The deepest lake is home to 54 species of fish, and 15 of them are considered commercial. The most famous of them is omul. He lives for about 25 years. It should be noted an amazing, almost transparent fish called golomyanka. She gives birth to live larvae. No fish in the world reproduces this way.
The seal lives here - the only seal that lives in fresh water reservoirs. Also in the lake there are many sturgeon, pike, whitefish, and taimen.
A wide variety of animals and birds can be found in forest areas and on the hills of the Baikal region. The forests are home to a large number of deer, martens, and sables. In the mountainous regions there are sheep, and in the steppes there are marmots and gophers. A huge number of ducks live in these areas. Seagulls and cormorants nest here. Less common are geese, herons, swans, and loons. There are 7 species of eagles here.
The nature of Lake Baikal is diverse and unique. Every effort must be made to preserve this rare region for posterity.

Some are interested in the question of which lake is the largest in the world. And strangely enough, this, which, despite its name, is the largest lake in the whole world. This body of water separates the landmass of Europe and Asia.

What's special about it?

The lake does not have any current, but at the same time it is usually called the sea. The presence of a second name for a reservoir is determined by the following factors:

• dimensions
• depth
• stock features

After the formation of the largest lake in the world, numerous studies were carried out, thanks to which it was possible to find out the basic information and understand what the reservoir is and what important differences it has.
The Caspian Sea is a lake whose shape resembles the Latin letter S. The surface area of ​​the reservoir is 371 thousand square meters, the width is four hundred fifteen thousand square meters. Such dimensions lead to the fact that many countries border the Caspian Sea.
An important advantage of the reservoir is its surprisingly rich underwater world, and many of its inhabitants have acquired resistance to constant changes in the reservoir.
The reservoir includes several bays. Moreover, the largest is Kara-Bogaz-Gol (separation took place in 1980 with the help of a deep dam, and four years after the important event the result was secured with a culvert).
In addition, the lake includes the following large bays:

• Komsomolets
• Turkmen
• Mangyshlaksky
• Kazakh
• Krasnovodsk
• Agrakhansky
• Kizlyarsky

The Caspian Sea includes 50 islands of varying sizes. Moreover, some islands have an area of ​​more than 350 square meters. Some are united into island archipelagos, known as Absheron and Baku.
The Caspian Sea appeared due to oceanic processes. This is proven by the features of the bed, which consists of an oceanic crust. Moreover, the creation process dates back to distant times, because the age of the lake is already 13,000,000 years. It was then that the Alps mountains appeared, which separated the Sarmatian and Mediterranean Seas from each other. The Akchagyl Sea existed for a long period. But after this, numerous transformations of the reservoir began:
1. The Pontic Sea dried up, as a result of which only Lake Balakhani (southern part of the Caspian Sea) remained;
2. The Akchagyl Sea turned into the Absheron Sea;
The main changes associated with the reservoir occurred approximately 17,000 - 13,100 years ago. Moreover, the changes were due to transgression.
Currently, after numerous transformations, there is the Caspian Sea, which is actually a lake.
Such changes have led to the need for a thorough study of the region. As it turns out, the southern coast includes numerous caves. At the same time, scientists note that people lived in these areas approximately 75,000 years ago.
The first mention of the reservoir and the Massagetae tribe that inhabited the region can be found in Herodotus. At the same time, it was established that other tribes lived in the region: Saki, Talysh.
Handwritten documents indicate that the Russians carried out navigational operations to the Caspian Sea from the 9th – 10th centuries. The presence of such official information indicates that the lake has been attracting increased attention from the very beginning.

is the largest lake on planet Earth. A distinctive feature of the reservoir is the instability of the hydrological regime, which is caused by specific influences:

• climatic
• geological
• hydrological

On the territory of the Caspian basin, special processes take place that gradually change the lake. Scientists note that the water balance changes quite often, and changes occur over different periods of time (tens, hundreds, thousands of years).
Changes include:

• level with maximum value
• temperature regime

At the same time, researchers describe the current state of the Caspian Sea, allowing the inhabitants of the planet to understand how the largest lake in the world differs from many other bodies of water.

Water temperature

Temperature conditions fluctuate in the following ranges:

• Winter. In the southern part - +10 - +13 degrees Celsius, in the northern part - below 0 degrees Celsius
• Summer. During this season, temperatures can rise to +25 - +28 degrees Celsius

At depth, the water temperature is about +5 degrees Celsius.
In fact, water temperature is subject to significant latitudinal changes, which primarily manifest themselves in the cold season. The difference is about +10 degrees, which is a significant indicator. In fact, these indicators do not become prohibitive: in shallow water areas where the depth is less than 25 meters, the annual difference can reach even twenty-five degrees Celsius.
At the same time, we can note the average differences:
The West Coast is generally a couple Celsius warmer than the East Coast;
Open and closed parts also differ in their temperature conditions. At the same time, external influences lead to warming of up to four degrees Celsius.
Researchers note that the temperature of the reservoir may change over time.

Features of the climate of the Caspian Sea basin

The climate of the region in which the Caspian Sea is located encompasses 3 directions at once, which causes a significant difference in temperature at different times of the year.
In winter, the air temperature varies from minus 8 degrees Celsius in the north to plus 10 degrees Celsius in the south. Thus, the maximum difference can reach 22 degrees.
Moreover, in the summer the temperature ranges from +24 to +27 degrees Celsius, as a result of which a difference of a couple of tens is eliminated. In the entire history of observations, the maximum air temperature was +44 degrees, and this important event took place on the east coast.
There is an average of 200 millimeters of precipitation per year, but the figures for different parts of the region vary significantly:
The eastern part is always characterized by dry weather. As a result, the indicator does not exceed millimeters;
The southwestern region boasts 1,700 millimeters.
It should be noted that water can evaporate quite actively from the surface of the lake. This has a positive impact on the climate of the region. Successful evaporation of water ensures proper water circulation, thereby preventing large fluctuations in humidity levels.
The average annual wind speed in the region ranges from three to seven meters per second. In this case, the northern direction is predominant. It should be noted that in the cold months of the year, wind gusts sometimes reach forty meters per second.
The windiest areas are traditionally considered to be:

• Absheron Peninsula
• Makhachkala
• Derbent

It is in this area that the highest windiness rates can be recorded. The region's climate features are largely determined by the influence of the Caspian Sea.

Currents

The Northern Caspian Sea plays the most important role in shaping the climate of the region. In this case, the main direction of the flow occurs from the northern side of the reservoir.

Salinity of water

Salinity ranges from 0.3% (the minimum value). This characteristic is recorded near the mouth of the Volga. The salinity indicator suggests that the Northern Caspian Sea is a desalinated sea basin. At the same time, in the southeast the salinity indicator reaches 13%. The maximum rate is recorded in the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, where it already reaches 300%.

Lake relief

The Caspian Sea has a specific bottom topography, which is divided into three types:
Shelf;
Continental slope;
Deep-sea depressions.
How were all the above types of relief distributed?
The shelf starts from the coastline and extends to a depth of 100 meters. Moreover, below its border the continental slope begins, the depth of which, depending on the region of the lake, ranges from 500 to 750 meters;
The coast has low-lying terrain. At the same time, the banks have gentle slopes and rugged places;
The Middle Caspian includes a mountainous coast, which has practically no rugged shape;
The eastern part is elevated;
The Southern Caspian has mountainous areas. At the same time, the coastline is more rugged.
The Caspian Sea and its relief belong to a zone of increased seismicity. It should be noted that in the region in which the lake is located, mud volcanoes located at the southern point of the reservoir often erupt.

Characteristics of the reservoir

Historians and scientists indicate that the area and volume of water can change significantly. Both factors have a major impact on water level fluctuations.
What examples can you give? For example, when a reservoir rises, it can account for up to 78 and a half thousand cubic kilometers. Moreover, in this case, the volume indicator reaches about 44% of all lake water reserves.
The maximum depth is 1025 meters. This indicator was recorded in the South Caspian depression. It should be noted that the Caspian Sea ranks third in depth. The leader is Baikal with an indicator of 1620 meters, as well as Tanganyika with 1435 meters. It is important to note that the northern part is a shallow section of the reservoir, because the maximum depth never exceeds twenty-five meters.

Fluctuation of water in a pond

Historical studies confirm that lake water levels can fluctuate significantly. At the same time, scientists and historians record the features of changes in water levels.
Throughout the history of the reservoir, frequent changes in its characteristics have been observed. It should be noted that in the Middle Ages the highest levels of water height were recorded. Despite this, the process is continuous, the tendency for the water level in the lake to decrease and increase constantly replaces each other, which indicates circulation and the preservation of water balance. Any recorded indicator cannot be final.
Measurements have been taken on a regular basis since 1837, with researchers using special instruments for regular checks. Scientists note that the trend towards a decrease and increase in the overall water level changed many times, and these changes occurred at different intervals.
Serious fluctuations are caused by a whole chain of factors, which are divided into the following areas. Researchers note that in the future, fluctuations in the water of the Caspian Sea should continue, but at the same time the safety of the reservoir is guaranteed.

Features of water balance cycles

Surface currents determine complex cyclones that replace each other. Significant differences are noted in each part of the Caspian Sea. It should be noted that the lake is a turbulent body of water. For example, changes in atmospheric pressure and direction, wind speed always lead to fluctuations in water levels. The changes in characteristics are most pronounced in the shallow part of the reservoir, because surges during stormy weather can even reach four meters.
The instability of the lake means that the climate pattern is also subject to serious changes.
The water balance is always determined by the characteristics of the flow and atmospheric influences, the volume of evaporating liquid from the surface of the reservoir. At the same time, the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay belongs to the discharge part of the reservoir. The most important role is played by the Volga runoff, which belongs to the incoming part. The flow of the Volga can reach about 80% of the influx of river waters for the formation of the Caspian Sea.

Water composition

The Caspian Sea has a closed structure and unique composition. At the same time, serious differences in proportions are noted for waters in areas that are under the influence of continental runoff.
Constant water fluctuations and changes in water balance prevent chloride levels from rising.
This includes regular increases in the following components:

• Carbonates
• Calcium
• Sulfates

The three components listed above occupy an important place in any river waters. The composition of water also changes under the influence of complex cyclic factors.

The largest lake is usually called the Caspian Sea and many are interested in the question: where is the largest lake in the world? This body of water is located in the part of the world where Europe and Asia meet. Thus, the lake belongs to Eurasia.
The water area is divided into three large parts, which have the characteristics of the climatic region, the unique characteristics of the reservoir and its water balance:

• The Northern Caspian Sea occupies 25% of the territory
• The Middle Caspian has 36%
• The South Caspian has 39% of the total installed area

It is important to note that the reservoir is characterized by serious fluctuations in depth. For example, the northern part accounts for up to 22 meters, and the southern part – up to 1025 meters. Moreover, a depth of less than one meter is recorded in 20% of the Northern Caspian Sea. Despite such fluctuations, the Caspian still ranks third in the world in depth.
The large size of the Caspian Sea means that as many as five countries belonging to Eurasia touch the lake along their borders:

• Russia
• Azerbaijan
• Kazakhstan
• Turkmenistan

This information proves that the lake actually occupies an important place on the world map.
Caspian basin
Four more states are included in the Caspian basin: Armenia, Georgia, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. Each country has direct access to the Caspian Sea.
The basin includes more than one hundred and thirty rivers, with the Volga being the largest. It is the Volga River that connects the Caspian Sea and the World Ocean. The Volga and all its river tributaries are regulated by existing reservoirs, which are formed by hydroelectric dams.
The Caspian basin also includes additional rivers that guarantee the maintenance of the water balance of the world's largest lake. At the same time, the most important remains the Volga, which flows through Europe.
It should be noted that the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea can no longer boast of a developed hydrographic network. The Emba and Ural rivers flow into Kazakhstan. There is one watercourse in Turkmenistan that is not permanent, but still worth noting: the Atrek River. Iran is distinguished by its connection to the Caspian Sea and several rivers. Despite the fact that connections still exist in the eastern direction, their total length turns out to be significantly less.

Cities of the Caspian Sea

The largest port city located on the Caspian Sea is the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. The city is located in the south of the Absheron Peninsula. It should be noted that in 2010, 2,500,000 people lived in Baku.
The following large cities are also connected to the Caspian Sea:
Sumgayit, Lankaran (Azerbaijan);
Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan);
Aktau, Atyrau (Kazakhstan);
Kaspiysk, Makhachkala, Astrakhan (Russia).
This geographical location, and accordingly the relationship with rivers, countries and cities, indicates that the Caspian Sea is in fact the largest lake in the world.
Features of the development of the Caspian Sea
The economic development of the Caspian Sea has been of interest to society since ancient times. Historical information confirms this. Currently, people have achieved good results.

Features of the story

Research into the reservoir began for the first time in 285 BC. At the same time, the corresponding events were carried out by the Greeks. After the first attempt, the work was postponed for a long time.
Nowadays, efforts began thanks to Peter the Great, who organized an expedition in 1714 for almost a whole year. Hydrographic research was then carried out in the 1720s with the help of Russian and foreign researchers.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the opportunity for instrumental photography had already appeared, thanks to which it was possible to carefully analyze the features of the geography of the reservoir and the region.
In 1866, 50 years of research began. The main objective was the desire to enrich knowledge regarding hydrobiology and hydrology.
The most active research began in the late 1890s. At the same time, Soviet geologists made every effort to understand the peculiarities of fluctuations in the level of the reservoir, study the water balance and find oil.
Numerous expeditions made it possible to begin using the Caspian Sea for the benefit of the entire world society.

Development results

How can the Caspian Sea be used for the benefit of the people?
Gas and oil production. Numerous deposits with a special purpose are being developed on the territory of the Caspian Sea. To date, oil and gas condensate resources amount to about twenty billion tons, and half of this volume is oil. The extraction of valuable minerals has been carried out since the 1820s, but it was possible to reach an industrial level only in the second half of the 19th century.
The Caspian shelf, which is included in the water basin, is used for the extraction of salt, stone, sand, clay, and limestone.
The developed network allows the use of the Caspian Sea for shipping.
The lake has a rich aquatic world. This is used for the active development of fisheries. It should be noted that more than 90% of sturgeon can be caught in this region. To date, fishing and the extraction of valuable caviar have been successfully developed. At the same time, seal fishing is also developing at a rapid pace.
Recreational resources are another advantage associated with the Caspian region. The special water composition and unique balance, beneficial climate make it possible to successfully develop a number of resorts, but at the same time, the economic, political and religious characteristics of the eastern states do not allow the full use of the recreational resources of the Caspian region, due to the unique characteristics of the sea-lake.
The Caspian Sea is the largest and most important lake in the world, which justifies its position and increased attention to itself.

TOP 10 deepest lakes in the world

If you didn’t already know which lake is the deepest in the world and where the deepest lake in the world is located, then you should check out the TOP 10. Baikal is a legendary lake. It has been written about in various sources; the reservoir is extremely loved by travelers and researchers. Every year, amazing discoveries are made on Lake Baikal, expeditions are conducted, and research is carried out. This lake holds an impressive number of different world records.
The deepest lake is considered one of the oldest on the planet, and it is also the deepest in the world. The average depth is 730 meters, and the maximum elevation is 1637 meters. Since 1996, Baikal has been on the UNESCO list as a world heritage site.
The origin of the lake is still debated today. Scientists have not reached a consensus on the age of the reservoir, which is estimated at approximately 25-35 million years. That is why Baikal is considered a unique reservoir, because other glacial lakes “live” on average 10-15 thousand years, gradually becoming swampy.
A distinctive feature of the deepest lake in the world is the fact that it contains about 19% of the world's fresh water reserves. This is an impressive amount, which is not found in any other body of water in the world. The transparency of the lake also attracts attention. Inhabitants or various objects can be seen at a depth of up to 40 meters. At the same time, the water contains a minimum amount of mineral salts, on average the value reaches 100 mg per liter. All this makes it possible to use Baikal water as distilled water.
In total, there are about 2630 species of inhabitants of both plants and animals. However, most of them are endemic. In other words, you can only meet them here. The abundance of living organisms can be explained by the impressive oxygen content in the water column. Among all animals, the golomyanka is distinguished. This fish contains less than 30% fat. The epishura crustacean is also a surprising inhabitant, of which there are over 300 species. Among the mammals, it is worth highlighting the seal, which is called the Baikal seal.
It is interesting that the water reserves in Lake Baikal are so impressive that they could supply all the inhabitants of the world for 40 long years. Scientists are still researching Baikal ice, which is fraught with many mysteries. Its distinctive feature is its unusual shape. It can be found exclusively on Lake Baikal. If you see the lake from space, you will notice dark rings in the pictures. Their origin is currently unknown, although scientists are making a lot of guesses. Answering the question which lake is the deepest in the world, there is no doubt that it is Baikal.

All the deepest lakes in the world are of interest, and Tanganyika is a special lake that has a personal status in Africa. Its location is known to local residents throughout the mainland. A distinctive feature of Lake Tanganyika is its amazing fauna and flora, as well as its impressive dimensions. The waters of the lake are located in the East African Rift, which is a narrow valley with an impressive length. The crescent shape and proximity to the mountains make the area surprisingly picturesque.
Lake Tanganyika feeds the great Congo River. This is done across the Lukuga River. However, Tanganyika does not belong to the Congo Basin. The lake holds one of the world records as the longest freshwater body of water. Moreover, it is located above the sea at an altitude of 773 meters. The total length reaches 673 kilometers, and the width at its largest point is 72 kilometers. The depth of the reservoir is quite impressive and is 1470 meters, which makes the lake the second deepest in the world. Throughout the entire reservoir, the average depth reaches 570 meters.
The volume of water in Lake Tanganyika is 18.9 thousand cubic meters, which also puts the lake in second place in the world ranking. The total area exceeds 32 thousand square kilometers. The coastline has an impressive length and is 1828 kilometers. The reservoir basin also includes streams and rivers. In general, Lake Tanganyika is often called the “African pearl”, because it holds a huge number of world records.
It is surrounded on different sides by four countries. These are Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Tanzania. There is also a connection with the Atlantic Ocean through the Congo and Lukuga rivers. Interestingly, Tanganyika has an impressive age of 10-12 million years. Over the entire impressive period of history, the lake has never dried up. As a result, an unusual underwater world was formed, the likes of which are not found in any corner of the planet.
There is no full circulation of water in the lake; the reason is the impressive depth, as well as the absence of bottom currents. As a result, a high amount of hydrogen sulfide is concentrated in the lower layers of water. Already at a depth of 200 meters, the so-called “dead zone” begins. There is no life here due to the lack of oxygen. There is an impressive variety of fish species near the surface of the water. There are especially many cichlids here. They are present in 250 species, of which about 98% live exclusively in this lake.

When answering the question which lake is the largest in the world or where is the largest lake in the world, you will be somewhat surprised. The Caspian Sea is an unusual body of water with an unusual name. In fact, this sea has no connection with the World Ocean; it is located at a considerable distance from it. In the north and east, the sea borders on desert terrain, the southern coast is represented by lowlands, and the western coast is represented by the mountain ranges of the Greater Caucasus. The reservoir is surrounded on all sides by land, which is why it is called a “sea-lake.”
A distinctive feature is the different bottom topography. In the northern part there is shallow water, in the central and southern part there are depressions and an underwater threshold. Another interesting feature is that the Caspian Sea is located in more than one climate zone. The northern part of the sea has a continental climate, the western part has a temperate climate, the eastern part has a desert climate, and the southwestern part has a subtropical humid climate.
This climatic feature leads to the fact that the sea “behaves” differently at different times of the year. In winter, strong winds and low temperatures prevail here, reaching a maximum of 8-10 degrees below zero in the air. In spring, northwest winds reign here. In summer, air masses circulate insignificantly; near the coast, the wind may increase. Temperatures in summer can rise to a maximum of 27-28 degrees above zero. We can conclude that winter on the Caspian Sea is cold and windy, and summer is windy and hot.
The volume of river flow varies significantly throughout the year. It reaches its maximum in spring and early summer. Spring floods may occur. Today, the water resources of the lake are actively used by people, reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations are being built. All this has led to the fact that the water level in the Caspian Sea has dropped somewhat today.
The lake is mainly fed by river water. Among the rivers that flow into the Caspian Sea are the Ural, Volga and Terek. It is these three rivers that bring about 90% of the river flow. About 9% of the rivers flow from the western side and only 1% from the rivers of the Iranian coast. There are also tidal waves in the lake, which are noticeable especially in November and December. It is during this period of time that sea level can increase by an average of 2-3 meters. In summer, sea level remains virtually unchanged.
An impressive number of fish species live here. As a result, fishing and fish farming are actively developing here. In particular, there is a lot of sturgeon fish, and oil has recently been discovered in the Caspian Sea.

San Martin- a body of water located in the state of Santa Cruz in Argentina. San Martin, like other deepest lakes in the world, amazes with its impressive dimensions, which makes it one of the largest in the world. It is also the deepest on the continent of South America. The lake occupies the territory between Chile and Argentina, located right on the border. Interestingly, the reservoir also has another name for its Argentine part. He was given a "name" in honor of José de San Martin, who is a national hero.
The area of ​​the reservoir reaches 1010 square meters, and the maximum depth is 836 meters. The shape of the lake is uneven and “ragged”; it is additionally represented by eight branches. The main tributary is the Mayer River, which flows into Lake San Martin and the Chico and O'Higgins glaciers, and there are also small streams. Only one river, Pascua, flows out of the reservoir.
Around the lake there are picturesque views of the pampas, and also amazing snowy peaks. The area is distinguished by its rich flora and fauna, especially many species of birds and animals. A huge number of trout live here, so sport fishing competitions are often held. Lake San Martin is amazingly clean, the water in it can change its hue from green to deep blue.
Nearby there is the town of El Chaltén, which is called the tourist center of the region. Everything here is arranged so that travelers can relax and explore the lake comfortably. The town has information centers, travel agencies, souvenir shops, and camping-type hotels. Additionally, it is possible to choose a walking tour along the coast of San Martin. Also offered are boat trips and extreme trips to the snowy peaks of the nearby Andes mountains.
There are also full-fledged attractions on the coast of Lake San Martin. These include the luxurious Nahuel Huapi estate. Guests of the lake can take time to explore the grounds of the estate. For this purpose, horseback riding tours are offered, which give incredible pleasure from the trip.
Lake San Martin reaches 1058 square kilometers. The reservoir is located above sea level, at an altitude of 250 meters. The coastline is quite impressive and reaches 525 kilometers in length. The lake is considered the deepest in America. Here you can always meet tourists and local residents, photographers and artists who come here to admire the picturesque and magnificent views of the territory.

One of the largest African reservoirs and the deepest lakes in the world is called Nyasa. It is located in East Africa in the Great Rift Valley. The length of the lake reaches 560 kilometers, and its width can be a maximum of 80 kilometers. The depth is quite impressive and reaches 704 meters. This allows Lake Nyasa to take fifth place in the world ranking of the deepest bodies of water. The reservoir was discovered in 1616 by Bucarro travelers from Portugal.
The name of the reservoir is quite standard. It was chosen in the Yao language, and translated it means “lake”. Nyasa is located on the territory of several countries - Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, occupying their borders. A distinctive feature is the coastal topography, which is represented by spatial beaches and steep shores. The plains in the northwestern part of Lake Nyasa have special expanses, where the plains amaze with their picturesqueness.
At the same place the Songwe River flows into the lake. In addition, the reservoir feeds 14 rivers, among which are the Bua, Ruhuhu, Lilongwe, and Rukuru. The only river that flows from the reservoir is the river with the sonorous name Shire. The water of Lake Nyasa has different temperatures, ranging from warm to cool. The lake amazes with its rich fauna, so fishing is active here. In total, it contributes about 4% of Malawi's GDP. Nyasa is home to a huge number of different species of fish, as well as crocodiles and whooper eagles. All this emphasizes the uniqueness of the lake. Crocodiles and whooper eagles hunt fish.
Lake Nyasa is a natural attraction that amazes with its picturesqueness and originality. This is precisely why it attracts the attention of travelers from all over the world. The reservoir itself ranks third in Africa and is among the five deepest in the world. Today, shipping is developed here; the main ports include Karonga, Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkota Kota, Bandawe, Mwaya, and Metangula.
The Lake Nyasa basin is sparsely populated. The bulk of the people live near the southern coast of Nyas. The western and northern coasts have a very sparse population with little economic activity. There is a hydroelectric power station on the outflowing Shira River. It becomes the main source of electricity. Very often the country's energy sector suffers due to the instability of the lake. The greatest shortage was observed in 1997, when the lake level was at its lowest.

Kyrgyzstan- an amazingly picturesque country that abounds in luxurious territories. Lake Issyk-Kul especially attracts attention. This reservoir is considered one of the largest in the world. Interestingly, in terms of water transparency, this reservoir is in second position in the world ranking, second only to Lake Baikal. Issyk-Kul is considered the pearl of both Kyrgyzstan itself and Central Asia. The lake is salty and mild winters prevent the reservoir from freezing even in winter. A distinctive feature is the amazing surrounding beauty, which attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world.
Lake Issyk-Kul is located in the Northern Tien Shan, occupying the territory between two ridges. Their maximum height is 5200 meters in height. On their slopes on the northern side there are spruce forests, and on the southern side there is steppe vegetation. The lake is fed by rivers, of which there are about 80 in total. Among the main ones are Zhuuku, Zhyr-galan, Tyup, Ak-Terek, Tong and some others. Most rivers are fed by glaciers.
Interestingly, the appearance of the river looks unexpected from space. The astronauts themselves claim this. Along with the Great Wall of China and the pyramids of Cheops, Lake Issyk-Kul is distinguished. From space at such an impressive height, it resembles a human eye.
Not a single river flows out of the reservoir. This leads to the fact that the water in the river is salty, as minerals accumulate. However, in terms of salinity, the reservoir is significantly inferior to sea water, on average five and a half times. However, the type of mineralization is considered quite valuable, which belongs to the chloride-sulfate-sodium-magnesium type.
The water is permeated with oxygen, which makes it light and transparent. It is unusually reminiscent of the ocean or sea. There are many different legends associated with this lake. One of them says that at the bottom of the reservoir there are the ruins of an ancient city, which was distinguished by its beautiful appearance. The color of the water is unusual. It can change shades from soft blue to dark blue.
Lake Issyk-Kul has an impressive history. The first mention dates back to the chronicles of the second century BC. They call the reservoir Zhe-Hai, which means “warm sea” in Chinese. Most likely, this name was given due to the fact that the lake does not freeze. Scientific study of the flora and fauna of the reservoir, as well as the composition of the water, began in the 19th century. Many scientists were so interested in the nature of this place that they bequeathed to bury themselves on its coast.

Great Slave Lake is an amazing body of water that amazes with its spaciousness and picturesqueness. The name Slave is of unknown origin and most experts are inclined to believe that it was not given to him by chance. The reservoir itself is located in Canada and in its dimensions it can easily compete with the largest lakes in the world, including the Great American Lakes.
The depth of the large Slave Lake is about 614 meters. For the North American continent, this figure is considered the maximum. The reservoir ranks seventh in the world rankings. Navigation is organized on Slave Lake in the summer, but in winter it is under ice. It is so strong that cars can easily drive on it. Until recently, the road on frozen ice was the only one until a full-fledged highway was built.
Great Slave Lake is completely covered with ice for seven to eight months of the year, starting in November and ending in June. Interestingly, the lake itself appeared during global cooling. For most of the year it reminds of this time. A distinctive feature is the picturesque surrounding area, which attracts the attention of tourists. The shores are decorated with dense tundra forests. The seething streams of water that can be seen between the rocks look impressive.
Gold miners are usually attracted to the northern shores of reservoirs. It will be of interest to adventure lovers who dream of learning about the formation of the city of Yellowknife. It arose precisely during the gold rush. Before this, the coast of the lake was inhabited exclusively by Indians, namely the Slave tribe. It is interesting that the name of the tribe translated into Russian means “slave” or “slave”.
It was from this tribe that the name of the lake came about, as most researchers believe. However, after lengthy studies of this fact, it was discovered that the Slave tribe had nothing in common with slaves. Representatives of the tribe are brave, courageous and strong people. Today the tribe consists of about ten thousand people. They all live on the coast of this reservoir.
In length, the Great Slave Lake reaches 480 kilometers, and in width the reservoir reaches from 19 to 225 kilometers. Several rivers flow into the lake, in particular the Slave, Snowdrift, Hay, Tolson, and Yellowknife. Only one river flows out of the lake - the Mackenzie. The area of ​​the reservoir reaches 28.5 thousand square kilometers with a volume of over 1,500 cubic meters.

– one of the most amazing natural sites in the world. The formation of this reservoir occurred after the eruption of the Mount Mazama volcano. This happened over seven thousand years ago. A distinctive feature of the lake is its deep blue hue and the incredible beauty of the surrounding landscape. This place is considered one of the most picturesque in the world. Not every lake evokes such a storm of emotions as Crater.
The depth of Crater Lake reaches 594 meters. This explains its rich dark blue hue. The cleanliness of the surrounding area and its environmental friendliness are also attractive. Here you can often meet tourists who come to admire the beauty. You can also see photographers and artists trying to capture the picturesqueness.
The history of the lake began about twelve thousand years ago. It was then that people first began to live here and saw the volcanic eruption. The result was Crater Lake. It was unknown to Europeans for quite a long time. It was first discovered by John Fremont, who led an expedition of 1843-1846. Gradually they began to explore the lake, and they found a lake here. It changed its name several times. The modern one was consolidated only in 1869.
Many researchers wonder why the water appeared at the top of the mountain. Most experts are inclined to believe that this has been happening for centuries. This happened gradually by filling the lake with snow and rain. The lake is a bowl of a volcano.
Interestingly, the lake has many different attractions. One of them is a ghost ship. This is an island that reaches 48 meters in height. It is formed from volcanic lava and resembles a ship in its silhouette. Another attraction is Halman Peak. This is a volcanic cone, whose age exceeds 70 thousand years. It was named after the researcher who first discovered this lake.
Also worth highlighting is the Sorcerer's Island, located on the island. His name is given to him in honor of the wizard's hat, which he resembles. It is extremely beautiful and reaches 233 meters in height. The Pinnacles, which are the result of volcanic gases and erosion, also stand out. Crater Lake today is part of the park. Everything has been created here for the convenience of tourists to provide them with a comfortable exploration of the picturesque area.

Lakes are extremely important for our planet, as they contain an impressive amount of fresh water. Lake Buenos Aires and Matano are considered one of the most interesting and attention-grabbing lakes. Matano is a lake located in Indonesia. In its own country it is an important source of fresh water. The lake is located in the south of the island of Sulawesi. The area of ​​the reservoir is impressive and reaches 164 square kilometers, and its depth is 590 meters.
A distinctive feature of Lake Buenos Aires and Matano is the crystal clarity of the water. Those who have been here claim that you can easily see everything that happens at a depth of 20-25 meters. An interesting feature is the unique flora. This is where an impressive number of fish live, whose ancestors swam here several thousand years ago.
The picturesque area around the lake is also attractive. It is represented by mountains and tropical forests. For the convenience of vacationers, beaches with snow-white sand are organized here. Diving is also offered on the lake. A huge number of divers gather here who dream of admiring the beauty of the underwater world. An extraordinary feature of Matano is the presence of two levels of water column. The first has a high percentage of oxygen content, and the second lacks sulfates and contains iron in excess. Many scientists compare this composition with the oceanic one, which is quite atypical for lakes.
Lake Buenos Aires and Matano is located on the border of Chile and Argentina. It has the same depth as Matano, reaching 590 meters. The total area of ​​the reservoir is 1850 square kilometers. The origin and feeding of the lake is glacial, and it is located directly in the Patagonian Andes. In South America, Buenos Aires is considered the deepest body of water, and ranks ninth in the world rankings.
The main feature is the excellent ecology and crystal clear water. Also, Lake Buenos Aires and Matano are notable for the presence of marble caves. They have an amazingly beautiful view that attracts tourists from all over the world. The color of the water, which consists of shades of turquoise and emerald, also looks interesting.
There are an impressive number of cities and towns near the lake. This is due to the excellent climate and picturesque area. Excursions are often organized here so that tourists have the opportunity to admire the magnificent appearance of the marble caves. You can only see the beauty in person, as photographs cannot convey it.

– an amazing body of water that attracts attention. It has not yet been fully studied, so official parameters have not been established. Today it is believed that the depth of the lake reaches 514 meters, but this is not an accurate indicator. However, it also allows Hornindalsvatnet to be the deepest lake in both Norway and all of Europe. The lake occupies tenth position in the world ranking.
In the 90s of the 20th century, the Telenor company began studying the lake. Previously, it was the official telephone company of the country. Telenor planned to lay optical fibers directly along the bottom of Lake Hornindalsvatnet. At this moment, the depth was declared to be 612 meters. If this figure is officially confirmed, the lake will take seventh position in the world ranking.
Lake Hornindalsvatnet has no other outstanding characteristics. Its water volume reaches 12 cubic meters with a total surface area of ​​50 square meters. These are quite modest dimensions even for Norway. The lake ranks 19th in the country in terms of volume and area.
The location of the lake is of interest. It is located in the Norwegian province in western Norway. This is the Atlantic coast in the county of Sogn ok Fjordane. Hornindalsvatnet is located 53 meters above the sea, and Hornindal is located on its shore. This is the administrative center of the commune. The town is quite small and has only a few hotels.
A distinctive feature of the lake is its crystal clear water. Throughout Scandinavia, Lake Hornindalsvatnet is considered the cleanest lake. This is explained by the fact that the water supply of the reservoir is not connected with rivers. The main source of food is glaciers. Here everyone can go fishing, because the fauna of the reservoir is truly unique. You can find quite rare varieties of fish that are not found in other bodies of water in Norway. However, their fishing is not prohibited.
The landscape is also noteworthy, distinguished by its beauty and picturesqueness. Many consider this place to be the pearl of the country, so excursions are often organized here. Also, a Marathon is held on the lake every year in mid-summer, in which an impressive number of people take part. This is a race over an impressive distance, reaching 42 kilometers and 195 meters. If you wish, you can simply relax here, swim and sunbathe on the beach. You can also try your hand at rowing, which is developed on Hornindalsvatnet.

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People have always been attracted by mystical places, covered in legends, tales, and stories of miracles. And the more dangerous the place, the more daredevils sought to solve its mystery

To be afraid of spirits - do not go to the steppe

People have always been attracted by mystical places covered in legends, tales, stories of miracles. And the more dangerous the place, the more daredevils sought to solve its mystery. In this regard, Kazakhstanis, one might say, are lucky - there are a huge number of such “mysterious islands” on the territory of the republic, like a magnet attracting curious tourists. In the “K” collection we will talk about the most mystical of them.

Ungurtas

The village of Ungurtas is 100 km from Almaty.

Another name for Ungurtas is the “Navel of the Earth,” since it is here, as many claim, that the celestial system connects with the Earth system. According to legend, it was on the site of Ungurtas that Ahmed Yasawi lived at one time. They say that at the age of 63, feeling the approaching decline of his life, he began to look for a calm, secluded corner. The ideal option was Ungurtas, where Ahmed Yasawi spent the rest of his life in an underground cell. Near the dungeon, his relatives and numerous students settled, who listened to the instructions and teachings of the thinker. The place where the monastery stood is now called Aidarly Aidahar-Ata.

Aydarly Aydahar-Ata is an energy column with a diameter of 8 meters. “The place where a flow of energy rushing into the sky emerges from the earth, which cleanses, replenishes, and strengthens the human energy field,” the official explanation says.

People who visited Ungurtas are sure that the radiation coming from the depths charges and cleanses them. The place for “energy recharging” was chosen by both psychics and astrologers, and ordinary pilgrims from all over the world.

True, there were cases when Ungurtas refused to accept people. The so-called gate became the border. The book-shaped stone invites everyone to stop in front of it. “Kneel and pray. For you are ascending the Mountain of Reason,” the inscription reads. But not everyone can go beyond the gate. You may get a headache, blurred vision, and feel suffocated. People describe their feelings differently at the moment when they could not climb the mountain. Some people see a thick wall that makes no sense to break through. Others talk about the feeling of chains that bind their arms and legs and do not allow them to move further.

In addition to the energy flow, each of the Ungurtas caves is a unique place with its own unique energy and healing properties unique to it.

Kok-Kol

Jambyl Region.

According to local residents, Lake Kol-Kol is home to a water spirit - Aidahar. Modern researchers of anomalies say that a prehistoric creature lives in the reservoir, miraculously preserved to this day - a relative of the Loch Ness monster. This is precisely what explains the stories of fishermen and shepherds, who claim that they often saw waterfowl and animals drinking water near the shore being “dragged” into the lake.

In fact, Lake Kol-Kol has quite strange physical properties: the water in it is constantly fresh and “alive”, although not a single river or source flows into the lake. Sometimes large funnels appear on the water, drawing in various floating objects. Often the smooth surface of the lake is instantly covered with small ripples.

Hydrologists are thinking about a system of underground caves, but have not yet been able to thoroughly explore the lake: in some areas it is bottomless.

However, a group of divers from Irkutsk managed to get some answer. Researchers tried to find the bottom of the lake, but all attempts were unsuccessful. During one of the dives, a giant funnel suddenly appeared and swallowed one of the divers in a matter of seconds. Searches in the depths of the lake yielded nothing. A decision was made to stop the rescue operation.

However, quite unexpectedly, the members of the expedition received news that their friend was alive. It turned out that a kilometer from the lake there is a valley through which a fast river flows. It was there that the missing diver was found. Alive and unharmed, he said that the lake carried him through the underground depths and pushed him up. At that moment he felt the action of some unknown force...

Singing Dune

Altyn-Emel National Park is 182 km northeast of Almaty.

According to one legend, the great Genghis Khan rests under the Singing Dune along with his warriors, and the singing sand is the soul of the khan, which from time to time reminds his descendants of himself and his exploits. Another legend says that Shaitan, who was returning through the steppe to his home after “a successful day,” turned into a dune. Tired, he stopped and lay down to rest. He fell soundly asleep, after which he turned into a dune, and the sound was a groan of dissatisfaction emitted by the shaitan that they were trying to disturb him.

The sound produced by a unique dune is always different. Sometimes it resembles a barely perceptible squeak, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish it from a sophisticated melody, close to the sound of an organ, and sometimes it is a terrifying roar.

Presumably the dune creates musical works using discharges of electricity. The strength of the sound depends on the number of moving grains of sand; the greater their mass, the clearer and louder the sound of the Singing Dune.

Dead Lake

District of the village of Gerasimovka, Almaty region.

They say that about a century ago, a certain groom, suspecting his beloved of infidelity, became so distraught that in a fit of jealousy he drowned the innocent maiden in the lake. Since then the lake has become Dead.

In fact, one of the features of this small (60 by 100 meters) reservoir is that even in the hottest summer its water remains icy and its level remains unchanged. Although other reservoirs in this region dry out noticeably in the summer under the scorching rays of the sun, and sometimes dry up, turning into a small puddle. In addition, there are no fish in Dead Lake, no algae or other vegetation.

There is a version that all living things in it are killed by toxic gas released from a crevice at the bottom. However, she has not yet received confirmation - divers diving into the waters of the Dead Lake say that it is impossible to stay in it for more than five minutes, even with a tank full of air.

Shaitankol

Karaganda region, five kilometers west of Karkaralinsk.

According to one legend, one day the famous Kazakh hero Er Targyn spent the night on the shore of a mysterious reservoir. At night, he was awakened by a naked girl of unprecedented beauty and lured into the lake. In the pond itself, the beautiful stranger suddenly turned into a terrible old woman, who dug her claws into the young man and dragged him into the depths. However, the hero dealt with the witch, smashed her head with his fist, climbed ashore and threw the dead body of the old woman back into the water, after which she immediately came to life and began to threaten Er Targyn.

According to another legend, the lake was formed from the tears of mothers mourning their sons who died in battle with the Dzungars.

Be that as it may, newspapers wrote about the mysterious lake back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since all kinds of devilry happened in its vicinity and people disappeared, in 1905 it was decided to consecrate the reservoir and then rename it the Holy. However, this turned out to be not so easy. During the prayer service, suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a terrible whirlwind came, knocking the people gathered for prayer off their feet. However, as soon as the prayer service stopped, the hurricane subsided.

The water of the lake is an amazing bright blue color and is surrounded by dilapidated granite rocks. Shaitankol has no feeding rivers or springs, but the water level here never decreases or rises, despite the abundant melting of snow, heavy rains or, conversely, long periods of summer drought. And, according to the old-timers of these places, the volume of Shaitankol’s water is capable of flooding the entire Karkaralinsk and its surroundings.

The literature indicates that the lake has a double bottom. Depth unknown. It looks like water flooded the mouth of a long-extinct volcano. Extreme sportsmen from Ersain Shygaev’s group once tried to measure the depth of the lake. Having gone out on an inflatable boat to the middle of the reservoir, they began to lower the load on a rope three hundred meters long. The homemade lot went completely under water, never reaching the bottom.

Then Ersain Shygaev decided to explore the bottom of the lake with scuba gear. “The bottom of the lake turned out to be very beautiful. Huge boulders, algae, schools of fish. The water was quite clear. I immediately rushed to where our lot fell into the abyss. And I saw a semicircular “bowl” the size of a football arena, in the center of which gaped a bottomless abyss. I did not dare to swim over the abyss. So he froze on the edge of a cliff, like an idol. And suddenly I saw something strange in the center of the pit. It was as if the back of a huge whale appeared for a moment from the darkness and disappeared into the darkness again... I pulled the rope so that my friends would pull me to the surface, and then I felt that oxygen had stopped flowing from the cylinders for no apparent reason. I barely suppressed panic and, trying not to look back, rushed upstairs,” he said in an interview.

Esotericists believe that at the bottom of the lake there is a portal, a “funnel”, or a wormhole through which various entities from alternative universes enter our world. According to eyewitnesses, the lake comes alive at night. A quiet evening is suddenly interrupted by a hurricane, strange shadows rush across the surface of the lake, running into people spending the night on the shore and touching them with cold limbs, luminous objects appear above the water.