The gigantic size of these 10 lakes makes them look like seas or oceans! Discover the 10 largest lakes in the world!
Big sandy beaches, small waves and stretches of water as far as the eye can see… Although all appearances indicate that you’re spending a day at the seaside, you may actually be standing on one of the 10 largest lakes in the world.
We’ve ranked the 10 lakes with the largest surface areas.
1. Caspian Sea
Flickr – aelita
Although the name Caspian Sea suggests otherwise, this body of salt water is actually the world’s largest lake, because its waters are landlocked. By way of comparison, it’s larger than Germany. Surface area: 371,000 km².
2. Lake Superior
Flickr – Sherlock77 (James)
The largest of the Great Lakes (between the USA and Canada), wild and beautiful Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world. Its surface area: 82,414 km²
3. Lake Victoria
Flickr – ScruffyDan and Breanne
Although Victoria Falls is far more famous, Lake Victoria is just as beautiful. Visitors flock to the lake (which is also the source of the White Nile, a tributary of the Nile) for camping, canoeing, kayaking and other tourist activities. Area: 69,485 km².
4. Lake Huron
Fotopedia – Mykola Swarnyk
Wedged between Michigan and Canada, Lake Huron is the second largest of the Great Lakes, but has the longest shoreline. Perfect for lounging on one of its vast beaches during the summer months. Surface area: 59,600 km²
5. Lake Michigan
Flickr – Elvis Kennedy
One of the best places to enjoy the Lake Michigan tides is in downtown Chicago. With the skyscrapers as a backdrop, the beach is very relaxing. What’s more, you’re spoilt for choice: Lake Michigan stretches from Gary in Indiana, almost to the Canadian border. Surface area: 57,750 km²
6. Lake Tanganyika
Flickr – 达 李
Part of Africa’s many Great Lakes, the colossal Lake Tanganyika straddles four borders (Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia). It is also the longest freshwater lake on the planet, and one of the deepest. Surface area: 32,893 km²
7. Lake Baikal
Flickr – Yuri Samoilov
Located in the remote region of Siberia, Lake Baikal, of tectonic origin, is the oldest and deepest lake in the world. It is also the largest reserve of liquid freshwater on Earth. Surface area: 31,500 km²
8. Great Bear Lake
Flickr – mattcatpurple
Although unfortunately not in the shape of a bear, Canada’s Great Bear Lake is still impressive. It lies very close to the Arctic Circle. Surface area: 31,080 km².
9. Lake Malawi
Flickr – Ismail Mia
This deep lake is also known as Lake Nyassa, Lake of the Stars (for the reflection of fishermen’s lanterns), Lake of the Storms (due to localized weather conditions), and Lake Calendar (it is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide). Surface area: 30,044 km².
10. Great Slave Lake
Flickr – KyleWiTh
Its location in Canada’s Northwest Territories means that this lake, one of the deepest, is often covered by a thick layer of ice. If you’re planning a trip there, aim for July or August, when the ice is melted (unless you’d like to go dog-sledding). Surface area: 28,930 km²