We present to you the most impressive Russian lakes in terms of size.
It remains to add that this is not the entire list of unique lakes in Russia. But, of course, these are the most big lakes in Russia.
White Lake
Our top of the largest lakes in Russia opens - White Lake. It is located in the Vologda region. The area of the reservoir fluctuates due to the low banks. And it is almost 1300 square kilometers. The average depth of White Lake is 5-7 meters, in some places the figure can reach up to 20 meters, this is due to underwater holes.There are about 29 species of fish in the reservoir, so the lake can be considered a real paradise for fishermen.
Lake Chany
Salt lake Chany is located in the Novosibirsk region. According to various sources, the area of this reservoir is from 1.4 thousand to 2 thousand square meters. The greatest depth of the lake is 12 meters. 
There have been various legends about Chans for a long time. According to one of them, a huge snake lives in the lake and eats people and livestock. True, this has not been confirmed by any scientific data. It is likely that the legend was specially invented to attract tourists.
Uvsu-Nur
Exactly this big lake in terms of area in Mongolia, on the territory of Russia it is located in the Republic of Tuva, although our country belongs to only 12 square kilometers. Its total area is 3,350 square kilometers and its depth is 15 meters. The lake is drainless, no river flows out of it, so the water has a bitter-salty taste. 
Since 2003, the lake has been an integral part of the facility World Heritage UNESCO Ubsunur Basin.
Lake Peipus-Pskov
This lake is slightly larger than Lake Uvsu-Nur and is located, as the name suggests, on the territory of the Pskov region, also bordering the Leningrad region and Estonia. This is not even just a lake - but a complex of lakes consisting of Lake Peipus, Pskov and Teploe. The area of the complex is 3,555 square kilometers, the depth reaches 15 meters, and the average value fluctuates within 7 meters. Only one river, Narva, flows out of the lake, and about 30 rivers flow in. 
Because of his geographical location The shores of the lake are partly considered a border zone and access to them is limited. In the coastal strip of Lake Pskov there is a wetland ornithological reserve “Pskov-Chudskaya lakeside lowland”
Lake Khanka
Lake Khanka is located in the Far East, where Russia borders China. The area of the reservoir is about 4.2 thousand square kilometers, and the maximum depth is about 11 meters.Lake Khanka is one of the largest lakes in Russia
Khanka has a fairly good location, so a lot of tourists come to the reservoir. They can simultaneously get acquainted with the customs and cultures of two countries at once. About 75 species live in the waters of the reservoir different fish, and some of them are even listed in the Red Book of Russia.
Lake Taimyr
Taimyr Lake is located on the Taimyr Peninsula in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. It is the northernmost in the world. Taimyr is covered with ice for most of the year. And only one and a half months a year is Taimyr free of ice. Almost the entire lake freezes to the bottom every winter. 
And due to fluctuations in the water level in the reservoir, its area can change up to a maximum of 4.56 thousand square kilometers. The maximum depth of the lake is about 26 meters. It is worth noting that the flora and fauna of Lake Taimyr are filled with Arctic species. A river called the Upper Taimyr flows through Taimyr, and at the exit from the lake it continues with the Nizhnyaya.
Lake Onega
Lake Onega is located in Karelia, Leningrad and Vologda regions. The area of the reservoir is about 9.7 thousand square kilometers, and its greatest depth– 124 meters. 
People call Lake Onega “Onego-father”. It is famous clean water and numerous historical monuments that are located on the banks.
Ladoga lake
Lake Ladoga is located on the territory of Karelia and the Leningrad region. The area of the reservoir is more than 17.6 thousand square kilometers, but the greatest depth is 230 meters. Ladoga is one of the largest freshwater lakes in all of Europe.Exactly 35 rivers flow into Lake Ladoga, and in addition to this, the Neva River originates. The reservoir is home to 60 species of fish, more than half of which are caught on an industrial scale.
Lake Ladoga is the third largest lake in Russia
Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga are very similar. Both are located in North-West Russia and both belong to the basin Baltic Sea, besides, both have the same origin. There are quite a lot of rocky islands on the lakes, some of which are famous for their historical, cultural and religious monuments. In particular, this is the Valaam archipelago, where a monastery has been operating for about a thousand years. The island of Kizhi is also famous with its wooden churches and bell tower.
Baikal
This is the deepest lake on our planet. Its depth is about 1640 meters. Baikal is located in eastern Siberia, between Irkutsk region and Buryatia. The area of the lake is more than 31.7 thousand square kilometers. Moreover, this is the largest fresh water reservoir in Russia, containing up to 90 percent of its reserves. It is worth noting that the water in Baikal is unusually clean and transparent, so at all times it was considered healing. Tourists and naturalists constantly come to the lake, because Baikal is inhabited by a rich fauna, more than half of which is local exclusive. 
Exactly 336 rivers of different sizes flow into the lake, but only the Angara flows out of it. Her water resources A number of major hydroelectric power stations are used.
The largest lake in Russia is the Caspian Sea
The list of the largest lakes in Russia is headed by a body of water, to which the name “sea” is assigned. This is the Caspian Sea. It is located on the border of Asia and Europe and washes the shores of five states. These are Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran and Azerbaijan. According to the most recent data, the area of the Caspian Sea is 376 thousand square kilometers, and this figure can fluctuate greatly. The maximum depth of the salt lake is 1025 meters. It can be found in the Middle and Southern Caspian Sea, which are separated by the Absheron ridge, this is an underwater connection of the Kopetdag and Caucasus mountain systems. It is worth noting that the Caspian Sea is known throughout the world not only because of its size, but also because of its water problems. According to one theory, the Caspian Sea received its name from the ancient Caspian tribes who lived on the southwest coast. 
Due to the imbalance between the amount of evaporation and water entering the Caspian Sea, the area of the lake may fluctuate. In the last century it began to decline steadily. And about 30 years ago, the climate in the main supplier of water to the sea - the Volga basin - the flow exceeded the flow, so flooding of coastal areas began. By the way, natural gas and oil have been extracted in the Caspian Sea since 1820; according to experts, reserves reach 20 billion tons.
By the way, the salinity of almost the entire reservoir is three times less than the oceanic one, but in the north of the Caspian Sea the water can be fresh.
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10 largest lakes in Russia
Lakes of Russia are one of the national treasures of our Motherland. They can be large and small, freshwater and salty, deep and shallow. Let's figure out what largest lakes in Russia and why!
The Caspian Sea is the largest lake, not only in Russia, but throughout the entire Earth. It is located on the border of Asia and Europe and washes the shores of 5 countries (Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan). The area of the Caspian Sea is approximately 371,000 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of 1025 meters. The waters of this lake are salty. According to one theory, the Caspian Sea got its name thanks to the ancient tribes - the Caspians, who lived on the southwest coast.
This is the deepest (about 1640 meters) lake on our planet, located in eastern Siberia. The area of Baikal is more than 31,700 square kilometers and it is the largest reservoir of fresh water (90% of Russia's fresh water reserves). It is also worth noting that the waters of this lake are unusually clean and transparent, and in ancient times they were considered healing. 
Lake Ladoga lies on the territory of the Leningrad region and Karelia. Its area is more than 17.6 thousand square kilometers, and its greatest depth is 230 meters, it is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe. 35 rivers flow into Lake Ladoga, and the Neva originates. It is home to about 60 species of fish, half of which are of industrial importance. 
This lake is located on the territory of Karelia, Vologda and Leningrad regions. The area of Lake Onega is about 9,700 square kilometers, with its greatest depth being 127 meters. “Onego-father” - that’s what people call this lake. It is famous for its clear water and abundance historical monuments located on its banks. 
Taimyr Lake is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory on the Taimyr Peninsula and is the northernmost in the world. For most of the year, this lake is covered with ice. Due to fluctuations in water levels, the area of this lake can change and reach 4,560 square kilometers, and the maximum depth can reach 26 meters. The flora of Taimyr is represented by Arctic fish species. 
This lake is located in the Russian Far East and borders China. The greatest depth of Lake Khanka is about 11 meters, and its area is 4,070 square kilometers. 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 the Russian Federation. 
Chany is a salt lake located in the Novosibirsk region. The area of the lake, according to various sources, varies from 1400 to 2000 square kilometers, and its greatest depth is 7 meters. There have long been legends about this lake, one of which says that a huge snake lives in it, devouring people and livestock. Of course, there is no scientific evidence or information for this; perhaps this is just a legend created to attract tourists. 
This lake is located in the Vologda region. The area of this lake varies, mainly due to its low banks, and is approximately 1,284 square kilometers. The average depth of White Lake is about 5-7 meters, but due to underwater holes it can reach 10-12 meters. This lake is home to about 29 species of fish, making it a fisherman's paradise. 
Topozero is located in the north of Karelia, in the Loukhsky district. The lake has a winding coastline, and its area is 986 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of up to 56 meters. Topozero is a favorite place for kayakers, and especially fishermen. 
This lake is located in the Novgorod region of Russia. The area of Lake Ilmen is 982 square kilometers, but depending on the water level it can vary. Its maximum depth can reach up to 10 meters. There are many legends associated with the name of this lake, among which there is a myth about the Scythian princes Ruse and Slovene, who named this lake in honor of their sister, Ilmera.
This is not the entire list of lakes located on the vast territory of our Motherland.
When we all hear the word “lake” we imagine a certain quiet pond, surrounded by a visible shoreline. There will be no such lakes in this article. Have you ever heard of lakes that are subject to storm surges and are larger than some seas?
I present to your attention a selection of “the largest lakes in the world,” which includes the 10 largest lakes. Read, rate, leave comments and feedback in discussions.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.03.2016 15:06
The largest lake in the world- Caspian Sea.
The Caspian Sea tops the ranking - despite the fact that it is called a sea, in fact it is the largest endorheic lake on the planet. It is located at the junction of Europe and Asia, and is called a sea only because of its size. The Caspian Sea is an endorheic lake, and the water in it is salty, from 0.05 ‰ near the mouth of the Volga to 11-13 ‰ in the southeast.
The Caspian Sea is shaped like the Latin letter S, its length from north to south is approximately 1200 kilometers, from west to east - from 195 to 435 kilometers, on average 310-320 kilometers.
The Caspian Sea is conventionally divided according to physical and geographical conditions into 3 parts - the Northern Caspian, the Middle Caspian and the Southern Caspian. The conditional border between the Northern and Middle Caspian runs along the line Chechen (island) - Tyub-Karagansky Cape, between the Middle and Southern Caspian - along the line Zhilaya (island) - Gan-Gulu (cape). The area of the Northern, Middle and Southern Caspian is respectively 25, 36, 39 percent of the total area of the Caspian Sea.
The length of the Caspian Sea coastline is estimated at approximately 6,500 - 6,700 kilometers, with islands - up to 7,000 kilometers. The shores of the Caspian Sea in most of its territory are low-lying and smooth. In the northern part, the coastline is indented by water channels and islands of the Volga and Ural deltas, the banks are low and swampy, and the water surface in many places is covered with thickets.
The east coast is dominated by limestone shores adjacent to semi-deserts and deserts. The most winding shores are on the western coast in the area of the Absheron Peninsula and on the eastern coast in the area of the Kazakh Gulf and Kara-Bogaz-Gol.
The territory adjacent to the Caspian Sea is called the Caspian region.
Area and volume of water Caspian Sea varies significantly depending on fluctuations in water level. At a water level of 26.75 m, the area is approximately 371,000 km square kilometers, the volume of water is 78,648 cubic kilometers, which is approximately 44 percent of the world's lake water reserves. The maximum depth of the Caspian Sea is in the South Caspian depression, 1025 meters from its surface level. In terms of maximum depth, the Caspian Sea is second only to Baikal (1620 m) and Tanganyika (1435 m). The average depth of the Caspian Sea is 208 meters. At the same time, the northern part of the Caspian Sea is shallow, its maximum depth does not exceed 25 meters, and the average depth is 4 meters.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.03.2016 15:19
Confidently secured second place among lake superior- the largest, deepest and coldest of the Great Lakes and, concurrently, the largest freshwater lake in the world.
In the north, Lake Superior is bounded by the Canadian province of Ontario, in the west by the American state of Minnesota, and in the south by the states of Wisconsin and Michigan.
The basins of Lake Superior and the northern part of Lake Huron were developed in the crystalline rocks of the southern part of the Canadian Shield, the basins of the remaining lakes were developed in the limestone, dolomite and sandstone of the Paleozoic North American Platform. The basin of Lake Superior was formed as a result of tectonic movements, pre-glacial river and glacial erosion.
The origin of the water mass of Lake Superior is associated with the melting of the ice sheet, during the retreat of which a number of large lakes were formed in this area, which repeatedly changed their outlines.
In the northern part of the Great Lakes, the coastline is dissected, the islands and shores (up to 400 m high) are rocky, steep, very picturesque, especially the shores of Lake Superior and the northern part of Lake Huron.
Fluctuations in the level of Lake Superior are artificially regulated for the purposes of navigation, energy, etc. The amplitude of seasonal fluctuations is 30-60 cm, the most high level observed in summer, the lowest in winter. Short-term fluctuations in level caused by strong surge winds and seiches reach 3-4 m, tidal height is 3-4 cm
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.03.2016 15:26
The third is Lake Victoria, a lake in East Africa, in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Located in the tectonic trough of the East African Platform, at an altitude of 1134 m. It is the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior and the largest lake in Africa
The lake was discovered and named in honor of Queen Victoria by British traveler John Henning Speke in 1858.
Square Lake Victoria 68 thousand square kilometers, length 320 km, maximum width 275 km. It is part of the Victoria Reservoir. Many islands. The high-water Kagera River flows in and the Victoria Nile River flows out. The lake is navigable, local residents They are engaged in fishing on it.
The northern coast of the lake crosses the equator. The lake, with a maximum depth of 80 m, is a fairly deep lake.
Unlike its deep-sea neighbors Tanganyika and Nyasa, which lie within the African gorge system, Lake Victoria fills the shallow depression between the eastern and western sides of the Great Gorge valley. The lake gets great amount water from rains, more than from all its tributaries.
30 million people live in the vicinity of the lake. On the southern and western shores of the lake live the Haya people, who knew how to grow coffee long before the arrival of Europeans. Main ports: Entebbe (Uganda), Mwanza, Bukoba (Tanzania), Kisumu (Kenya), near the northern coast of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.03.2016 15:30
Lake Huron is the fourth largest among. This lake is in the USA and Canada, one of the North American Great Lakes. Located east of Lake Michigan, connected to it by the Strait of Mackinac. From a hydrographic point of view, Michigan and Huron form a single system (they are connected by the Strait of Mackinac), but geographically they are considered to be separate lakes.
The area of Huron is about 59.6 thousand square kilometers (the second largest among the Great Lakes). The surface height above sea level is about 176 m (same as Michigan), the depth is up to 229 m.
The states of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario have access to the lake. The main ports on Huron are Saginaw, Bay City, Alpina (USA) and Sarnia (Canada).
The name of the lake, introduced by the French, comes from the name of the Huron Indian tribe. Manitoulin is located on Huron - the most big Island world, located in a fresh lake.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.03.2016 15:37
In the middle of the list, in 5th place among is lake michigan- one of the North American Great Lakes.
The only Great Lakes located entirely within the United States. Located south of Lake Superior, connected to Lake Huron by the Strait of Mackinac, with the Mississippi River system - the Chicago - Lockport Canal.
From a hydrographic point of view, Michigan and Huron form a single system, but geographically they are considered to be separate lakes.
Square Michigan- about 57,750 km2 (the third largest among the Great Lakes), length about 500 km, width about 190 km. The surface height above sea level is 177 m (same as Huron), the depth is up to 281 m. It is covered with ice for about four months a year. Islands - Beaver, North Manitou, South Manitou.
The states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin have access to the lake. Big cities on Lake Michigan include Chicago, Evanston and Highland Park (IL), Milwaukee and Green Bay (WI), and Gary and Hammond (IN).
The name of the lake comes from the word mishigami, meaning “big water” in the Ojibwa Indian language. The first European to discover the lake was the Frenchman Jean Nicolet in 1634.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.03.2016 15:42
Sixth among is Aral Sea.
The Aral Sea is an endorheic salt lake in Central Asia, on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Since the 1960s of the 20th century, sea level (and the volume of water in it) has been rapidly declining due to the withdrawal of water from the main feeding rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya for irrigation purposes. Before the start of shallowing, the Aral Sea was the fourth largest lake in the world.
Collector-drainage waters flowing from the fields into the bed of the Syrdarya and Amu Darya have caused deposits of pesticides and various other agricultural pesticides, appearing in places on 54 thousand square kilometers of the former seabed, covered with salt. Dust storms carry salt, dust and toxic chemicals up to 500 km. Sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate are airborne and destroy or retard the development of natural vegetation and crops. The local population suffers from a high prevalence of respiratory diseases, anemia, cancer of the larynx and esophagus, and digestive disorders. Liver and kidney diseases and eye diseases have become more frequent.
In 2001, as a result of a drop in water level, Vozrozhdenie Island connected with the mainland. On this island Soviet Union tested bacteriological weapons: the causative agents of anthrax, tularemia, brucellosis, plague, typhoid, smallpox, as well as botulinum toxin were tested here on horses, monkeys, sheep, donkeys and other laboratory animals. This is the reason for fears that deadly microorganisms have remained viable, and infected rodents may spread them to other regions.
According to scientists' calculations, it is no longer possible to save the Aral Sea. Even if we completely abandon the intake of water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, the previous water level in it will be restored no earlier than in 200 years.
The Aral Sea once occupied 68 thousand square kilometers and was the fourth largest in area in the world. Now its area is about 10% of that recorded in the 60s last century. Photos from 1989 and 2003:
From the 1950s to the present, projects have been repeatedly proposed for the construction of a canal to transfer water from the Ob basin to the Aral Sea basin, which would significantly develop the economy of the Aral Sea region (in particular, Agriculture) and partially revive the Aral Sea. Such construction will require very large material costs(on the part of several states - Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan), therefore there is no talk yet about the practical implementation of these projects.
Some scientists predict the Aral Sea will completely disappear by 2020...
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.03.2016 15:47
Lake Tanganyika — large lake V Central Africa. This is one of and equally ancient in origin. In terms of volume and depth, Tanganyika ranks second after Lake Baikal. The shores of the lake belong to four countries - the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi.
The length of the lake is about 650 km, width is 40-80 km. Area 34 thousand sq. km. It lies at an altitude of 773 meters above sea level in the tectonic basin of the East African Rift Zone. Coastal landscapes, as a rule, consist of huge rocks and only on the eastern side the shores are gentle. On the west coast, the steep side walls of the East African Rift Zone that form the coastline reach 2000 m in height. Coastline dotted with bays and bays. The largest of them is Burton Bay. The lake is fed by several tributaries. The only river that flows out is the Lukuga, which begins in the middle part of the west coast and flows west, connecting with the Zaire River, which flows into the Atlantic.
The lake is home to hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and many waterfowl. Fishing and shipping are well developed.
The antiquity of the lake and the long period of isolation resulted in the development of a large number of endemic organisms, including those from the family Cichlidae (cichlids). Of the more than 200 species of fish found in the lake, about 170 are endemic.
Tanganyika is inhabited to approximately a depth of 200 m; below this level there is a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide and there is no life until the very bottom. This layer of the lake is a huge “burial ground” consisting of organic silt and sedimentary mineral compounds.
The water temperature of Tanganyika varies strictly among layers. Thus, in the upper layer the temperature ranges from 24 to 30 degrees, with a decrease at greater depths. Due to different densities of water and the absence of bottom current, the layers do not mix, and the temperature on the lower horizons reaches only 6-8 degrees.
The depth of the temperature jump layer is about 100 m. The water of Tanganika is very transparent (up to 30 m). Many salts are dissolved in it in small concentrations, so its composition resembles highly diluted sea salt. Water hardness (mainly caused by magnesium salts) ranges from 8 to 15 degrees. Water has an alkaline reaction, pH 8.0 - 9.5.
How many lakes are there in Russia? It is still impossible to give an exact answer to this question today. Many, many – more than 2 million. Among them there are famous, great lakes - “the blue eyes of the planet.”
The deepest, and perhaps the most famous lake on the planet is Baikal. It could contain a hundred Azov Seas, but Baikal’s water is fresh, and this is the special value of this huge natural reservoir. The maximum depth of the lake is 1637 meters, and under the water column there are huge bottom sediments, or so-called mountain ranges, the height of which is about 7000 meters. On fine days the water is so clear that you can see the bottom at a depth of 40 meters. Baikal water - living water, since in it, thanks to phytoplankton, it is dissolved maximum amount oxygen. Another of its properties is low temperature, which even in summer is not higher than +10 degrees. There is a legend that at the bottom of Baikal there is a huge channel that connects the lake with the Arctic Ocean. Baikal is about 30 million years old, and there are no signs of aging. On the contrary, over the course of a year, the lake’s waters “conquer” about 2 centimeters from the land.
Caspian Sea
The largest closed lake on the planet is the Caspian Sea, although it did not get its name because of its impressive size (371,000 km?). The reason is that the bottom of the lake is oceanic type crust, and the salinity of its waters is high. The Volga, which flows into the Caspian Sea, dilutes its waters - 0.05% salt, but along the southeastern shores the salt content is 13%. The waters of the Caspian Sea wash the shores of five states at once: Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran. In the latter, these expanses of water are called differently - the Khazar or Mazandaran Sea. One of the mysteries of the Caspian Sea is the periodic fluctuation of water levels. Over the past three thousand years, the water level has changed by 15 meters, and these processes continue today. For example, from 1978 to 1995 the water level rose, from 1996 to 2001 it decreased, and then began to rise again. One of the reasons for the lake “disturbance” is possibly human activity. The Caspian Sea is known for its oil reserves, however, while gaining some wealth, we risk losing others. It is in these waters that most of the sturgeon stocks in the world are located. More than 90% of the sturgeon on the planet are caught in the Caspian Sea, and today the protection of the Caspian Lake is one of the main environmental tasks for Russia.
Ladoga lake
The largest freshwater body of water in Europe is Lake Ladoga, which is located in Karelia and the Leningrad region. 35 rivers flow into the lake, whose area is slightly more than 18,000 km2, and only the Neva, on which St. Petersburg stands, flows out. It was on Ladoga, thanks to the efforts of Peter I, that the Russian fleet was born. In addition, during the Second World War, the “Road of Life” passed along the ice of Lake Ladoga. Thanks to her besieged Leningrad food arrived, and about a million people were evacuated along it. In the northern part of the lake there are 500 of the 660 islands belonging to Ladoga. The Valaam archipelago, on which the ancient Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is located, is especially famous. The harsh Lake Ladoga is often compared to the sea: winds often blow here, and if you swim to the middle of Ladoga, you will not be able to see the opposite shore.
Lake Ilmen is one of the symbols of Russian history, since the Slavs appeared in this region back in the 8th-9th centuries, at the time of the birth of the state of Rus'. Ilmen has been glorified in many tales, epics, poems and legends.
How Sadko went to Lake Ilmen,
Sat on a white-flammable stone
And he began to play the spring goosebumps.
One of the largest lakes in the European part of Russia is located on the territory of the Pskov, Tver and Novgorod regions. Lake Ilmen was recognized as a natural monument of Russia. Unfortunately, life cycle The lake ends, and Ilmen is classified as a “dying lake.” Its waters are gradually becoming swampy, the amount of silt is increasing, and the lake itself is slowly but still becoming shallow.
Pskovsko-Chudskoye Lake
“The Battle of the Ice took place on the ice of Lake Peipsi in 1242” - we know about these events from school curriculum, and it was thanks to them that Pskov-Chudskoye Lake, as it is called today, became famous. But not everyone knows that in fact the battle took place on the shore, and not on the ice, and Nevsky’s army was driving the retreating knights across the frozen lake. This fact was established in 1959 by an expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The same group also determined the exact location of the events - Lake Teploye, which, like Pskov, as well as Lake Peipsi, is part of Lake Peipsi. About 30 rivers flow into this lake complex, and only the Narva River flows out. Best time for a trip to the lake - the first or second Sunday of April, when reenactors gather at Chudskoye to recreate the events of the Battle of the Ice.
Our country can boast of the most large reserves fresh water, most of which is found in lakes. 19% of all world reserves are concentrated in just one. Total within Russian Federation there are about 2 million lakes with a total occupied territory of more than 700 thousand square meters. km including the Caspian Sea.
The top 10 includes the largest lakes in Russia by area.
Area 1.29 thousand square meters. km
It opens the ranking of the largest lakes in Russia and occupies an area of 1.29 thousand square meters. km, but due to the low banks, the area may fluctuate throughout the year. The volume of water mass increased sharply in 1964 and this is due to the construction of the Sheksninsky reservoir. The huge natural pit is filled with water with the help of seventeen large rivers. The total number of rivers and streams flowing into the lake is about 60. The lake belongs to the Caspian Sea, since the only river flowing from it flows into the Volga.
Area 2 thousand sq. km
It occupies ninth place in the list of the largest lakes located on the territory of the Russian Federation. Endorheic salt reservoir with an area of 2 thousand square meters. km. It is located in the Barabinskaya lowland of the Novosibirsk region. The name of the lake comes from the Turkic “chan”, which means “large vessel”. On its territory there are about 70 islands, the largest of which are Lezhan, Amelkina Griva, Medvezhiy and Kolpachok. Chany is home to 16 species of fish, including pike perch, perch, carp, silver carp and others.
Area 3.3 thousand square meters. km
It is one of the ten largest lakes in Russia with an area of 3.3 thousand square meters. km. The length of the reservoir is 85 kilometers and the width is 80 km. Part of the lake is located in Mongolia, where Ubu Nur is considered the largest body of water. About 29 species of fish live here, of which only one is consumed by humans - the Altai osman.
Area 3.5 thousand sq. km
It is located in seventh position among the largest bodies of water in Russia. Its total area is about 3.5 thousand square meters. km. 30 water arteries flow into the lake, and the only river outflows is Narva. The reservoir is located on the borders of Russia and Estonia. On the territory of Lake Peipus there are 29 islands with an occupied territory of about 26 square meters. km. In the coastal zone there is the ornithological reserve “Pskov-Chudskaya Lakeside Lowland”, which is the most valuable reserve of rare species of plants and animals in the Baltic region.
Area 4 thousand sq. km
The sixth place in the top 10 largest lakes in Russia goes to the reservoir. Its location is the border between the Primorsky Territory of the Russian Federation and the Heilongjiang province of China. Khanka is the largest freshwater body of water Far East with an area of 4 thousand square meters. km. 24 water arteries flow into the lake, including Melgunovka, Komissarovka, and the Ilistaya River. Only one river flows out of Khanka - Sungacha. The international Russian-Chinese Khanka Nature Reserve is located here.
Area 4.6 thousand square meters. km
It ranks fifth among the largest lakes in Russia by area. The largest body of water in the Krasnoyarsk Territory has an area of 4.6 thousand square meters. km. Its peculiarity is that for 9 months the lake is under ice. Representatives of the local flora include arctic fish species, including char, whitefish, muksun and others. Local islands serve as nesting sites for migratory birds - red-breasted geese and geese. The Western, Northern, Upper Taimyr, and Baikura rivers flow into Taimyr, and the Lower Taimyr flows out.
Area 9.6 thousand square meters. km
It occupies fourth place in the ranking with an area of 9.6 thousand square meters. km. Its length is 245 km and its width is 91 kilometers. The reservoir is located on the territory of Karelia, as well as the Vologda and Leningrad regions. About 50 rivers flow into it, and the only river flows out is the Svir. Within Lake Onega there are about 1,650 islands with a total occupied territory of 224 kilometers. The most famous is the island of Kizhi, where the museum-reserve of the same name is located. The inhabitants of the reservoir are 47 species of fish, including salmon, trout, sterlet, pike perch, eel and others. Due to the habitat of valuable species of fish, fishing is developed here.
Ladoga lake Area 18 thousand square meters. km
Discovers the three largest lakes in Russia. It belongs to one of the largest fresh water bodies in Europe. Its area is about 18 thousand square meters. km, and the maximum depth reaches 230 meters. From south to north, Lake Ladoga stretches for 219 kilometers, from west to east - for 138 kilometers. About 40 rivers and streams flow into the fresh water body, and the only river flows out is the Neva. There are more than 600 islands on Ladoga with a total area of 435 square meters. km. The largest of them are Riekkalansari, Kilpola and Vaalam. In the depths of the water, 120 species of plants grow and 53 species of fish live, of which the most valuable are salmon, trout, pike perch and others. The Ladoga ringed seal, which is the only representative of pinnipeds, lives here. The species is protected and listed in the Red Book.
Area 31.7 thousand square meters. km
It occupies second place in the ranking of the largest lakes in Russia. Is the most deep lake in the world and the largest natural reservoir of fresh water, which contains about 19% of all world reserves. Its area is 31.7 thousand square meters. km, and the depth is 1642 m. Baikal stretches 636 km in length and 80 km in width. On its territory there are 27 peninsulas and islands, the largest of which is the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula. According to some reports, about 500 rivers and streams flow into it. TO largest rivers, flowing into Baikal include the Selenga, Upper Angara, Turka, Tyya, etc. Only one river flows out of the lake - the Angara. The water in Baikal is very clear: at a depth of up to 40 meters, the flora and fauna of the reservoir is visible. Very rich here animal world, represented by 2600 species, of which about a thousand are endemic.
Area 371 thousand square meters. km
The name of this lake already speaks of its incredible size. The largest lake in Russia has an area of 371 thousand square meters. km. with a maximum depth in the South Caspian depression of more than a thousand meters. Its length is 1.2 thousand km and its width is about 500 kilometers. It is also the largest enclosed body of water in the world, which due to its size is equated to the sea. The lake supposedly got its name in honor of the Caspian tribes who lived on the coast in ancient times. The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of the continents of Europe and Asia. About 130 rivers flow into it, including such large waterways as the Volga, Sulak, Samur, Ural, etc. The sea washes the shores of 5 states at once: Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. The flora and fauna of the salty reservoir is very rich and has about 2 thousand representatives of the animal world and more than 700 species of plants.