Lakes can be freshwater or saltwater, natural or man-made. You can find them at high altitudes and sea levels. Some are only slightly larger than a pond, while others are so large that you cannot see the opposite shoreline. The largest lakes in the world are known not only for their enormous size. These lakes are visited more often due to their rich flora and fauna, and tours are offered that guarantee a unique experience. Today I am taking you on a trip to the most beautiful lakes in the world.
I love lakes… the serenity of the water, the gentle waves so perfect for swimming or sailing. I grow up, in a part of my country called” The Region Thousand Lakes “, and believe me, as soon it get warm and sunny, we were spending days by the water… and those are some of the best memories I have.
Lake Baikal, Russia
The oldest and deepest lake on Earth. It is also one of the largest, with an area of thirty-one thousand. km² ranks seventh. It is situated in Siberia in the Irkutsk region. The average depth of the lake is 730 m (the deepest point is 1642 m). Baikal is over 600 km long. In winter, the entire reservoir is covered with a thick layer of ice, on which you can safely walk and even drive a car.
Lake Sørvágsvatn, Faroe Islands
The largest lake of the Faroe Islands. Sørvágsvatn is situated on the cliff coast of the island of Vágar. The water from the lake flows into the Atlantic Ocean through a 45-meter waterfall. The average depth of the lake is approx. 27 m and the maximum depth is almost 60 m.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Glacial lake in the Julian Alps (Slovenia). The reservoir is not one of the largest (about 1.5 km²) and the deepest (maximum 30 m), but it is incredibly picturesquely integrated into the landscape. The tiny island of Blejski Otok with the church of the Virgin Mary adds to its charm.
Morning Glory Pool – Yellowstone, USA
These are the famous hot springs located in the Yellowstone National Park. Their temperature reaches up to 70 degrees Celsius. The bluish color of the water is the result of cyanobacteria present at the bottom. The rest – red, orange, and yellow colors were created as a result of human activities. Tourists, throwing coins and garbage into the pool, blocked the vents. This has led to the growth of more bacteria than leave colored rings on the surface of the water.
Lake Titicaca, Peru, and Bolivia
The largest lake in South America. In the local tradition, it has been assumed that the lake is the birthplace of the sun. On the Peruvian side, the reed islands of Uros are the most prominent place. Here, almost everything is made of reeds – more precisely, boats and houses. The most-visited part of the lake on the Bolivian side is the Sun Island from Inca times. According to Inca traditions and legends – the white God Viracocha and the first Incas were born here. As the island is free from motorized vehicles, it has kept its pristine charm.
Morskie Oko, Poland
Morskie Oko is the most visited and at the same time one of the most beautiful lakes in the Tatras. A tourist symbol of the Polish Tatra Mountains. Located in the Rybiego Potoku Valley, at an altitude of 1,395 m, the lake is 34.93 ha in area and approx. 52 m deep. It is powered by the Czarnostawski Potok and the Mnichowy Potok. Clearwater, picturesque nature and the surrounding mountain peaks create charming, postcard scenery.
Lake Hillier, Australia
Dreamlike lake in Australia on the Middle Island. Its shape resembles an imprinted foot. The lake is salty. For a brief period, salt was extracted from it. The reservoir is surrounded by a dense tree stand. They are separated from the sea by a narrow strip of sand. Scientists are still wondering why the tank has a bright pink color.
Lake Kajyngdy (Kaindy), Kazakhstan
Lake in Kazakhstan in the Küngej Alatau mountains. It is situated at an altitude of 1867 m above sea level. It was created as a result of the earthquake in 1910. Falling rocks formed a natural dam on the Kajyngdy River. Water flooded part of the ravine overgrown with trees, thanks to which an underwater forest was created. The lake is 400 m long, and its maximum depth is 30 m.
Dead Sea Lake, Israel / Jordan
A drainless lake in the Middle East on the Israeli-Jordanian border. The lake’s water level is 418 m below the sea surface, and it is constantly lowering – it is the lowest point of the Earth that is not flooded with water. The maximum depth of the lake is 377 m. The Dead Sea is characterized by a very high salinity of approx. 28%. No organisms are living in it except bacteria (which is why it is called Dead). Such high salinity makes people float freely in the water.
Lago di Tovel, Italy
Lake Tovel is located in the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park and features a nearly triangular form. It is one km long, about five hundred meters wide, and displays a maximum depth of 38.5 meters. The lake is surrounded by dense forests and the majestic peaks of the Brenta Dolomites. Lake Tovel was created by a landslide that took place in 1300. It is fed by two rivers, which are the S. Maria Flavona and the Rislà, that form a beautiful small waterfall near the lake. Even if it is characterized by green and blue color shades, it is famous due to another color, which is red. In fact, in summer large parts of the lake used to take a deep red color. That is also why the lake is called “red lake”. This spectacular color change is caused by the strong concentration of an alga called “glenodinium sanguineum.” However, this phenomenon has never been fully researched. Since 1964 the lake has not changed its color anymore. The alga, which caused the coloring of the lake, is still present, but only in a weak concentration. Nevertheless, Lake Tovel is a feast for the eyes!
Lake Nakuru/Lake Victoria, Kenya
Are you a lover of silence, peace, fauna, and flora? Do you want to get to know Africa, but you don’t know from which country to start your journey? Then a visit to Lake Nakuru is the perfect vacation proposition for you. The freshwater body of water, located in the Rift Valley in East Africa, is the focal point of the National Park of the same name. It is an ideal vantage point for lovers of the diversity of wild animal species. Thousands of flamingos feeding in these areas turn the landscape into a sea of fuchsia! The waters of the lake are also a mainstay for large groups of rhinoceros.
Lake Balaton, Hungary
The largest lake in Central Europe. As Hungary is landlocked, it is often referred to as the “Hungarian Sea”. And no one who has seen it will deny it because it is huge. In the high season (June – September), many tourists from all over Europe come to swim and relax at Lake Balaton.
Pangong Tso Lake region, India
The most beautiful lake in India. On the border of India (Ladakh) and China (Tibet) lies the beautiful Pangong Tso lake (4250 m above sea level). It has a very unique shape: it is 134 km long and only 4 km wide. For tourists, it is easily accessible from the Native American side. It is bordered to the south by high, glacial mountains and to the north by mountains
Plitvice Lakes – Small Capela Mountains, Croatia
Sixteen karst lakes make up the oldest national park in Croatia. They are connected by numerous waterfalls, located at different heights (from 503 m above sea level to 636 m above sea level). The water in the tank’s sparkles with many colors – from transparency to intense turquoise, thanks to the calcium carbonate on the bottom. The shades of gray, yellow, and green we owe to the sun’s rays, minerals, and creatures swimming in the depths. The surroundings of the lakes are covered with beech forests with almost 1,100 species of plants. It is a real miracle of Croatian nature. The park has been included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage list.
Mono Lake, USA
California Salt Lake, at least 760,000 years old. Tufted towers protrude from the bottom of Lake Mono. They are made of pyroclastic material, which is what the volcano ejected. Some towers are even several meters high. Mono Lake and its immediate vicinity (desert areas) resemble the scenery straight from science fiction movies.
Perito Moreno – Santa Cruz, Argentina
The Perito Moreno glacial lake is one of the greatest tourist attractions of southern Patagonia. Its dimensions are impressive – it is almost 5 km wide, 30 km long, and in some places, it is as high as 70 m above sea level. The unusual colors of the water – transparent, light blue, and white, are due to the masses of ice and sun reflecting on the lake’s surface. It is worth adding that this place is the third-largest reserve of drinking water in the world. If just admiring is not enough, you can go on an organized glacier trek.
Lake Śniardwy, Poland
Śniardwy, the largest lake in Poland, the pearl of the Great Masurian Lakes Region, is well recognized. Due to the shape of the bottom, Śniardwy is a challenge for sailors. It is very shallow and rocky in many places. But that doesn’t deter them at all.
Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi
The longest freshwater lake and at the same time the deepest lake in Africa. The age of the lake was estimated at over twenty and sometimes even over thirty million years. It covers an area of 34.4 thousand square meters. km² is the longest freshwater lake in the world. The lake is located at an altitude of 773 m above sea level. reaches a maximum depth of 1,435 m (the second deepest after Lake Baikal) – thus it is a crypto depression. In this area, there is the so-called Great Rift Valley – a gigantic rift created as a result of tectonic movements.
is located in five countries. The name of this lake, Tanganyika, in East African dialects means nothing but a great lake, whose great waters stretch as far as the horizon.
The Islands of Lake Tanganyika
There are also several islands on Lake Tanganyika, the most important of which are:
- Kavala Island (the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Mamba-Kayenda Islands (the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Milima Island (the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Kibishie Island (the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Mutondwe Island (Zambia)
- Kumbula Island (Zambia)
Lake Ober, Germany
A lake on the border of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is part of Lake Constance. The Rhine, one of the longest rivers in Europe, flows from Ober. In the foreground is a boathouse, meaning “house for boats”. As you can see, to get to him to get the boat, you need ……. another boat.
Okama Lake, Japan
Lake in Japan on the island of Honshu. They can be found in a small volcanic massif – Zaō. The lake was created as a result of the volcanic crater being flooded. It is 350 m in diameter and 60 m deep. Okama is also called the “Pond of Five Colors” because it changes its color depending on the weather conditions.
Peyto Lake, Canada
A glacial lake in Alberta, Canada, in Banff National Park. It owes its turquoise color to rock dust flowing into the lake in summer from a melting glacier. The lake is forty-four meters deep. Peyto Lake and the surrounding Rocky Mountain peaks are the essences of the Canadian landscape.
Intha Lake, Burma
Intha may not be the largest lake in Burma, but you will surely appreciate its size “live”. If you want, you can visit stilt villages, floating gardens, and glistening Buddhist temples. Don’t be surprised to see the local Intha fishermen strolling through the water. These talented sailors stand with one leg on small rowboats and the other leg wrapped around the oar. Someone may ask, “Why? ..” Out of necessity. Lake Intha is covered with reeds and floating plants, and this method of paddling gives fishermen the best vantage point for navigating through the water. Therefore, if you want to plan to get to know all the charms of Lake Intha – it’s only on the boat. One of the most popular places around Inle Lake is the Nga Hpe Kyaung Monastery, once inhabited by the cat population.
Lake Retba, Senegal
Pink lake in Senegal. It owes its color to Dunaliella salina, i.e., algae that produce a pink pigment. Interestingly, in the dry season, the pink color is even more intense. The lake is characterized by high salinity, so people can freely float on its surface. Lac Retba is a shallow lake, at its deepest point it is only 3 m.
Pink Lake, Australia
In Western Australia, in the Golden Outback region, 3 km from the city of Esperance, there is a Salt Lake which, under appropriate weather conditions, turns the waters slightly pink and purple. It owes its unusual color to the high concentration of algae and bacteria that produce the appropriate dye (beta-carotene) to ensure their survival. The unique colors of the waters are not the only distinguishing features of the lake. Pink Lake is also a place that is a place of a large number of little-known European birds, such as blackbirds and red-necked birds. It is also worth adding that as much as 99 percent. The salt in the lake is used to produce table salt.
Spotted Lake, Canada
A small Salt Lake in Canada (British Columbia). It is characterized by an extremely high content of magnesium sulfate, calcium, sodium sulfate, and several other minerals, e.g., silver and titanium. Spotted Lake is most interesting in summer when several hundred colorful “ponds” form at the bottom of the lake as a result of the evaporation of a part of the water.
Qiandao Lake, China
One of the largest lakes in China. It was established in 1959 as a result of the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Xin’an River. There are over a thousand tiny islets on the lake, which is why the reservoir is also called the Lake of a Thousand Islands. The depth of the lake ranges from 26 m to 120 m. The water in the lake is so clean that it is used to produce well-known Chinese mineral water.
Kelimutu Lake, Indonesia
Shield volcano on the Indonesian island of Flores. It rises to 1639 m above sea level. There are three different colored lakes in its crater: the Enchanted Lake, the Lake of Young Men and Maidens, and the Lake of Old People. The color of the lakes is influenced by chemical reactions that take place between the minerals and gases coming out of the volcano.
Crater Lake, USA
The deepest lake in the USA (Oregon) and one of the deepest in the world – 597 m deep. How was it created? As a result of the Mazama volcano eruption, a caldera was formed, which was filled with rainwater and water from melting snow. Wizard Island is a characteristic element of the lake’s landscape.
Lake Malawi/ Lake Nyasa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi
It is a lake with an area of more than 30,000 km2. The lake is located on the territory of three countries – Mozambique, Tanzania, and Malawi. It was discovered by the famous African traveler David Livingstone in 1859. Because there are fish in Nyassa, which are endemic species confirming that evolution caused specialization, the lake and the Lake Nyassa National Park located above it have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are several other national parks around the lake, including Nyika and Kaningina.
Lake Michigan, USA
Lake Michigan is the only lake from the group of the American Great Lakes that is entirely located in the United States (the others are on the border with Canada). Its area is 57 850 km2. This lake lies between the states of Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Most inhabitants are concentrated around the cities of Chicago and Milwaukee. However, on the shores of the lake, many holiday resorts attract tourists from all over the country. The local beaches tempt with clean water all year round, the temperature of which encourages you to take a bath all year round. The beaches here are often called singing because sand with a high content of quartz makes characteristic sounds when walking on it. Lake Michigan is also an ideal place for water sports – such as sailing. Sportfishing is also becoming increasingly popular. There is a reason this place is called the third coast of the United States (next to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean).
Caspian Sea, Russia
Don’t let the name fool you, because although the Caspian Sea has features of both a lake and a sea, it is often considered the largest lake in the world. From a scientific point of view, the Caspian Sea is classified as an endorheic basin, which means that its contents do not drain into any external water bodies. However, this was not always the case. Studies have shown that eleven million years ago, the Caspian Sea was connected to the world’s oceans through the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Sea of Azov. Paradoxically, the largest lake in the world is a water reservoir called the sea. The Caspian Lake has been called the sea for two reasons – it is saltwater and its gigantic size, which stretches it across five different countries – Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. It also has a very high-water salinity, ranging from 10 to 300 per mile, depending on the part of the sea. Many endemic species in the region of the Caspian Sea were exterminated by humans, including the Caspian tiger. Currently, the local sturgeons are also threatened with extinction, which are valued for tisr roe due to too high catches. Because the terrains are rotten, many countries want to have their influence here. Large human interference significantly changed the local landscape. However, in addition to large oil rigs, many places offer beautiful landscapes and relaxing beaches in secluded bays.
Lake Köl Ükök
The biggest tourist attraction in the vicinity of Kočkor is the beautiful lake Köl Ükök (3047 m above sea level). This almost three-kilometer lake is surrounded by 4,000-meter-high mountains and meadows where herds of horses and cows graze in summer.
Moraine Lake, Canada
Moraine Lake is located at an altitude of approximately 1,885 meters in the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park, Canada. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada, I’m not afraid to say it in the world. I recommend not to miss the sunrise here.
