This list of 50 breathtakingly beautiful lakes will surely add to your knowledge and broaden your horizons! This is a list of the most famous lakes in the world, but some may not be familiar to you.

Lake Victoria - Lake Victoria
69485 km2 (26828 sq mi). The largest lake in Africa. It is a border lake, and.

Lake Tanganyika - Lake Tanganyika
32,893 km2 (12,700 sq mi). The lake is not only the 6th largest lake in the world, but it is also the second deepest lake in the world at 1,470 m (4,820 ft) and the longest lake in the world at 676 km (420 miles). Lake Tanganyika is divided between four countries - Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Zambia.

Moraine Lake, Canada - Moraine Lake

Lake Pinatubo, Philippines - Lake Pinatubo
Formed only recently (in 1991) after the monsoon, this crater lake sits atop Mount Pinatubo, active volcano in the Philippines.

Lake Annette, Canada - Lake Annette

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia - Wikiwand Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
Located 4,200 meters above sea level in southwestern Bolivia, Laguna Colorada gets its bright red color from pigment deposits and algae beneath its surface. It is an extremely shallow lake with an average depth of 50 cm.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia /
Located in Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes are actually 16 separate bodies of water, and are divided into upper and lower basins of natural dams made up of moss and algae.

Spotted Lake or Kliluk (Spotted Lake), Canada
In Osoyoos, British Columbia, a natural phenomenon, covering an area of ​​38 acres, is a lake with one of the highest concentrations of minerals in the world.

Dead Sea, Jordan /
The name can be deceiving - in fact, this is the deepest hypermineralized lake in the world. It has a salt concentration 8 times that of the ocean, making it extremely difficult to drown.

Sheosar Lake, Pakistan
Lake of Deosai National Park, in the alpine steppe of the Tibetan Plateau.

Riffelsee, Switzerland
The Riffelsee is an incredible view of a mirrored surface with the Matterhorn in the background.

Peyto Lake, Canada
Peyto Lake is a glacial lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Bill Peyto belongs to the category of colored lakes. The lake has a bright turquoise color due to a large number icy mountain flour sliding into the lake.

Lake Solbjornvannet, Norway

Mirror Lake, California - Mirror Lake - a small, seasonal lake near Tenaya Creek Canyon in the US National Park, Yosemite.

New Zealand also has Mirror Lake, which has amazing reflective properties, like a mirror. It is one of the great lakes of Asia: Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan), Uhua-Khai (China), Inle (Myanmar), Biwa (Japan), Tonle Sap (Cambodia) and Lake Toba in Sumatra (Indonesia).

Horseshoe Lake, Canada - Horseshoe Lake

emerald lake, Canada - Emerald Lake

Lake Plastiras, Greece - Lake Plastira - Lake Plastiras, Greece
Artificial lake in Greece holds up to 400 million cubic liters fresh water and is one of the highest in Europe.

Mystic Lake, Montana - Mystic Lake
The largest lake in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana offers several world-famous hiking trails and incredible views.

Yamdrok Tso lake, Tibet - Yamdrok Tso Lake
This lake in Tibet has over 72 km of peaks and is surrounded by snowy mountains.

Lake Malawi, Tanzania - Lake Malawi / Malawi and Mozambique (Malawi and Mozambique) 30044 km2 (11600 square miles). The lake is divided between Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. Africa's second deepest lake, this tropical reservoir has more fish species than any other lake on earth.

Lake Louise, Canada

Lake Isabella, Colorado - Lake Isabelle, Colorado
A popular tourist destination, Isabel Lake is an incredible view of the Navajo and Apache peaks.

Crater Lake, Oregon - Crater Lake, Oregon

Barclay Lake, Washington - Barclay Lake, Washinton

Mono Lake, California - Mono Lake
This shallow desert lake of California's Mono County was formed over 760,000 years ago, and has an ecosystem very similar to the Colorada Lagoon.

ancient underground lake reed flute, China - Reed Flute Cave. This is a limestone cave in Guangxi, China. Age over 180 million years. Since the 1940s, it has become famous all over the world because of the colorful caves around the lake.

Loch Rea(Loch RI or Loch Ríbh) - the geographical center of Ireland, the middle mountains. Loch Ree is the second largest lake on the River Shannon after Loch Derg. The other two major lakes are Loch Allen to the north, and Loch Derg to the south. The province of Leinster in County Roscommon Lake is popular with Irish monster legends.

Loch Ness lake(Loch Ness, Scotland) Scotland. Loch Ness (Gaelic: Loch Nis) is the second largest Scottish lake in terms of surface area after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest lake in Scotland by volume of water. The deep, freshwater Loch in Scotland is located about 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Inverness. The lake is known for its Loch Ness Monster. Also of interest to tourists is Urquhart Castle east of Drumnadrochit, the lighthouses at Lochend (Bona Lighthouse) and Fort Augusta.

Lake Okanagan- big, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. The lake is 135 km long and 4-5 km wide. His interesting feature the legend of the Demon of Lake Ogopogo or Naitaka, and the well-known terraces, which are formed by the periodic lowering of the predecessor, glacial Lake Penticton. The maximum depth of the lake is 232 m in the area of ​​Grant Island (called "Whiskey Island" or "Seagull Island" by the locals)

Lake Labynkyr(Labynkyr Lake), Yakutia
This mystical lake is located near the Pole of Cold in the territory of Oymyakon uluss. Legends say that a monster lives deep in the water. It attacks dogs, deer and even humans. History tells how once a monster destroyed an Even caravan.

Lake Kanas(pinyin: Kanasi Hu) in the shape of a crescent is a lake in the Altai Prefecture of Xinjiang Province, China. The lake is located in a valley in the Altai mountains, on the border with, Mongolia and. The lake was formed 200,000 years ago, during the Quaternary period, as a result of the movement of a glacier. The Kanas River, flowing out of the lake, merges with the Hemu River, forming the Burkin River, which itself is a tributary of the Irtysh River. Ethnic Tuvans and Kazakhs live in the Kanas valley.

Lake Kok-Kol(Kok-Kol lake) Mysterious lake in Zhambyl region, Kazakhstan. From time to time, the mysterious lake makes some strange sounds, and sometimes you can see signs of ripples, as if a huge creature is drifting inside the lake. Locals believe that the lake is bottomless. Indeed, when hydrographers measured its depth, they could not find the bottom. But, they discovered many channels. This explains the constant water level, despite the fact that nothing flows from the lake and does not flow into it.

Aral Sea(Kazakh: Aral Tenizі; Mongolian: Aral tengis; Tajik: Bahri Aral; Persian: دریای خوارزم Daryâ- you Khârazm) was a closed lake between Kazakhstan in the north and Uzbekistan in the south. The name translates roughly as "sea of ​​islands" (more than 1100 islands were scattered on its waters). The catchment covers parts of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Formerly one of the four largest lakes in the world with an area of ​​68,000 km2 (26,300 sq mi), the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking since the 1960s after the rivers that fed the lake were redirected based on Soviet irrigation projects. The drying up of the Aral Sea is called "one of the worst environmental disasters on the planet"

Lake Storshen(Swedish pronunciation: Storsjön, lit. "Great Lake") is the fifth largest lake in Sweden, located in the province of Jämtland (Jämtland). From Storsjön flows the river Indalsälven and the lake contains main island Froson. The city of Östersund lies on its eastern bank, opposite Frösön. Storsjön is considered to be the birthplace of the sea creatures Storsjöodjuret.

Lake Champlain— Lake Champlain lies directly on Burlington, the border between the US and Canada. At the northern end is the historically interesting Fort Ticonderoga. On Lake Champlain cruises and ferries to Vermont and New York.

Lake Natron is a saline and soda lake in the Arusha region of northern Tanzania. The lake is located near the Kenyan border in the eastern rift branch of the East African Wetlands of International Importance. Lake Natron is a basin in the Ramsar Valley, fed mainly by central Kenya's rivers and hot springs. The unusual color of the water is created by cyanobacteria. Because of the high evaporation rates, salt-loving microorganisms begin to thrive.

Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, known for its cobalt blue waters and surrounding snowy peaks. Lake Tahoe is the state border between the states of California and Nevada, and the popular resort of the Sierra Nevada.

Lake Lucerne- among the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, it stands out with its amazing panorama of the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, such as the Eiger and the Jungfrau. The lake is served by vintage steamboats that have been plying here since the 1800s. In spring, the Lake Lucerne basin is fed by Mineralbad streams from the top of Mount Rigi.

pigeon lake(Dove Lake) in Tasmania, Australia. Serene Dove Lake - attraction national park near Cradle Mountain. This lake is the home of the legendary Tasmanian Devil.

Lake Como, Italy - Just 45 minutes from bustling Milan. Lake Como is one of the favorite vacation spots of the rich and famous.

Lake Bled- one of the most charming sights of the Old Continent. Lake Bled of the Julian Alps (Slovene: Bled, German: Veldes) is located in Slovenia, near the borders with Italy and Austria.

Lake Synevyr- the biggest and most famous lake Ukrainian Carpathians. The lake is located in the Gorgany mountain range, in the upper reaches of the Terebly River. The lake has its own beautiful legend about lovers.

The list of the most famous lakes in the world can rightfully include unnamed:

• Lake Ohrid in the Balkan Mountains (located between the Republic of Macedonia and Albania)
• Lake Saimaa (Finland)
• Ladoga/Onega/Chudskoe (Russia)
• Balaton (Hungary)
• Annecy (France)
• Garda / Iseo (Italy)
• Wastwater (England)
• Sogne (Norway)
• Killarney (Ireland)
• Hallstattersee (Austria)
• Königsee / Obersi (Germany)
• Jokulsadlon (Iceland)
• Laguna Verde (Bolivia)
• Lençois Maranhenses (Brazil)
• Nakuru (Kenya)
• Tekapo (New Zealand)
• Lagunas Altiplánicas (Chile)
• Laguna Bacalar (Mexico) and many others.

About tourism

TOP Russian lakes with unusual names

Russia can be safely called a lake region. Of course, there are countries with a large number of freshwater reservoirs, but for a Russian person, nothing can be more beautiful than native expanses. In addition, almost all of our lakes have original original names.

"Gechepsin". This lake is located in the Crimean region Krasnodar Territory, in the valley of Lefkadia. Translated from the Adyghe, this reservoir is called "a well, the water in which is suitable for washing." Why such a name was chosen - history is silent. We can only speculate. So, the water in the lake could be soft and clean, or “Gechepsin” was specially created for various bath procedures.

« dead lake». In the southern part of Eastern Siberia, next to Lake Baikal, there is the Dead Lake. This is a reservoir with clean water, but no one swims there, because it is mostly swampy, and its banks are mostly peaty and unsteady. Also, this lake has another name - "Warm Lake". It's all about the gas, the bubbles of which rise from the bottom to the surface.

"Dead Lake"."Smerdyache Lake" is located in the Shatursky district of the Moscow region. The reservoir got its name for the characteristic smell of hydrogen sulfide. In 1985, a hypothesis was put forward about the meteorite origin of the lake, which was subsequently confirmed. According to scientists, the meteorite that formed the "Smerdyache Lake" collided with the Earth about 10 thousand years ago.

"Svetloyar". To see Lake Svetloyar, you need to get to the Voskresensky district of the Nizhny Novgorod region. According to legend, it is under the water of this reservoir that the magical city of Kitezh is hidden. Only the righteous, bright people, are worthy to hear this holy city. They say that from the bottom of the "Svetloyar" a rumble is sometimes heard, similar to the ringing of bells.

"Tsagan-Khag". This lake is located in the Republic of Kalmykia. Its name is translated from Kalmyk as "white silt". Most likely, there is no legend here, there are observations. "Tsagan-Khag" is located on a saline area and periodically dries up. It is during these periods that white salt forms on the surface of the reservoir, which in ancient times was most likely taken for silt.

Lake "Boiling". On Sakhalin, on the island "Kunashir", the lake "Boiling" is located. According to legend, this reservoir was formed as a result of a volcanic explosion. The name "Boiling" lake was due to the fact that its water is heated by volcanic gases. Here you can often observe volleys of boiling water, which are echoed by jets of sulfur and hydrogen sulfide gases.

"Bottomless Lake". It would seem that there is nothing easier than measuring the depth of the lake. However, not in the case of the "Bottomless Lake", the depth of which is still unknown. Hence the name. This reservoir is located in the Moscow region, near the Vertlinskoye highway. Another feature of the "Bottomless Lake" is that it does not have solid shores (they swim only from the pier), but, nevertheless, it never changes its rounded shape.

The 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 the most large lakes Russia and why!

1

The Caspian Sea is

Not only in Russia, but throughout the world. 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 due to the ancient tribes - the Caspians, who lived in the southwest of the coast.

2

This is the deepest (about 1640 meters) lake of 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.

3

Ladoga lake lies on the territory of the Leningrad region and Karelia. Its area is more than 17.6 thousand square kilometers, and the 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.

4

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 the greatest depth being 127 meters. "Onego-father" - this is how the people call this lake, famous for its clean water and many historical monuments located on its shores.

5

Taimyr Lake is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory on the Taimyr Peninsula and is the northernmost lake in the world. Most of the year, this lake is covered with ice. Due to fluctuations in the water level, the area of ​​this lake can vary, and reach 4,560 square kilometers, and the maximum depth can reach 26 meters. The flora of Taimyr is represented by arctic fish species.

6

This lake is located in the Far East of Russia and borders on China. The greatest depth of Lake Khanka is about 11 meters, and the 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 the 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.

7

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 been legends about this lake for a long time, one of which says that a huge snake lives in it, devouring people and cattle. Of course, there is no scientific evidence and information for this, perhaps this is just a legend created to attract tourists.

8

This lake is located in the Vologda region. The area of ​​this lake can fluctuate, mainly due to low banks, and is about 1,284 square kilometers. The average depth of the White Lake is about 5-7 meters, but due to underwater pits it can reach up to 10-12 meters. This lake is home to about 29 species of fish, making it a "paradise" for fishermen.

9

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.

10

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 may vary. Its maximum depth can reach up to 10 meters. Many legends are associated with the name of this lake, among which there is a myth about the Scythian princes Rus and Slovene, who named this lake in honor of their sister, Ilmera.

This is not the whole list of lakes located on the vast territory of our Motherland.

All of us at the word "lake" imagine a kind of quiet body of water, surrounded by a visible line of the coast. There will be no such lakes in this article. Have you ever heard of lakes where storm surges occur 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 the discussions.

Sasha Mitrahovich 22.03.2016 15:06

The largest lake in the world- Caspian Sea.

The Caspian Sea leads the ranking - despite the fact that it is called the sea, in fact it is the largest closed lake on the planet. It is located at the junction of Europe and Asia, and is called the sea only because of its size. The Caspian Sea is a drainless lake, and the water in it is salty, from 0.05‰ near the mouth of the Volga to from 11-13‰ in the southeast.

The Caspian Sea is similar in shape to the Latin letter S, its length from north to south is about 1200 kilometers, from west to east - from 195 to 435 kilometers, on average 310-320 kilometers.

The Caspian Sea is conditionally divided according to physical and geographical conditions into 3 parts - the North Caspian, the Middle Caspian and the South Caspian. The conditional border between the North and Middle Caspian runs along the line Chechen (island) - Tyub-Karagansky cape, between the Middle and South Caspian - along the line Zhiloy (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 coastline of the Caspian Sea is estimated at about 6500 - 6700 kilometers, with islands - up to 7000 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 shores are low and swampy, and the water surface is covered with thickets in many places.

On east coast limestone coasts adjoining semi-deserts and deserts predominate. The most winding coasts are on the west coast in the area of ​​the Apsheron Peninsula and on the east coast in the area of ​​the Kazakh Gulf and Kara-Bogaz-Gol.

The territory adjacent to the Caspian Sea is called the Caspian Sea.

Area and volume of water Caspian Sea varies greatly with water level fluctuations. With 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 Mitrahovich 22.03.2016 15:19

In second place among confidently entrenched 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 territory of the Canadian province of Ontario, in the west by the US state of Minnesota, in the south by the states of Wisconsin and Michigan.

The basins of Lake Superior and the northern part of Lake Huron were worked out in the crystalline rocks of the southern part of the Canadian Shield, the basins of the remaining lakes were mined in the thickness of limestones, dolomites, and sandstones of the Paleozoic of the North American Platform. The basin of the Upper Lake was formed as a result of tectonic movements, pre-glacial river and glacial erosion.

The origin of the water mass of the Upper Lake 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.

The fluctuations in the level of the Upper Lake are artificially regulated for the purposes of shipping, energy, etc. The amplitude of seasonal fluctuations is 30-60 cm, the highest level is observed in summer, the lowest in winter. Short-term level fluctuations caused by strong surge winds and seiches reach 3–4 m, the height of the tides is 3–4 cm

Sasha Mitrahovich 22.03.2016 15:26

Closes the top three 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. This is the 2nd largest fresh lake world after Lake Superior and the largest lake in Africa

The lake was discovered and named after 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. Lots of islands. The high-water Kagera River flows in, the Victoria Nile River flows out. The lake is navigable, the locals are engaged in fishing on it.

The northern coast of the lake crosses the equator. The lake with a maximum depth of 80 m belongs to fairly deep lakes.

Unlike its deep-water neighbors, Tanganyika and Nyasa, which lie within the gorge system of Africa, Lake Victoria fills a shallow depression between the eastern and western sides of the Great Gorge valley. The lake receives a huge amount of water from the 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, the Haya people live, who knew how to grow coffee long before the arrival of Europeans. Main ports: Entebbe (Uganda), Mwanza, Bukoba (Tanzania), Kisumu (Kenya), near north coast Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

Sasha Mitrahovich 22.03.2016 15:30

Lake Huron is the fourth largest among. It is a lake 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 the point of view of hydrography, Michigan and Huron form a single system (they are connected by the Mackinac Strait), but geographically they are considered to be separate lakes.

The Huron area is about 59.6 thousand km2 (the second largest among the Great Lakes). The surface height above sea level is about 176 m (as in 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 peace, located in a fresh lake.

Sasha Mitrahovich 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 one of the Great Lakes that is entirely within the United States. It is located south of Lake Superior, connected to Lake Huron by the Mackinac Strait, to the Mississippi River system - the Chicago-Lockport Canal.

From the point of view of hydrography, 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), about 500 km long, about 190 km wide. The surface height above sea level is 177 m (as in 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 (Illinois), Milwaukee and Green Bay (Wisconsin), Gary and Hammond (Indiana).

The name of the lake comes from the word mishigami, which means "big water" in the Ojibwa language. The first European to discover the lake was the Frenchman Jean Nicolet in 1634.

Sasha Mitrahovich 22.03.2016 15:42

The 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 XX century, the sea level (and the volume of water in it) has been rapidly decreasing due to the withdrawal of water from the main supply rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya for irrigation purposes. Prior to the start of shallowing, the Aral Sea was the fourth largest lake in the world.

Collector-drainage waters coming from the fields into the Syrdarya and Amudarya channels 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 pesticides to a distance of up to 500 km. Sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate are airborne and destroy or slow down 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, as well as digestive disorders. Diseases of the liver and kidneys, eye diseases have become more frequent.

In 2001, as a result of a drop in the water level, Vozrozhdeniye Island was connected to the mainland. On this island, the 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 the fear that deadly microorganisms have retained their viability, and infected rodents may become their distributors in other regions.

According to the calculations of scientists, it is no longer possible to save the Aral Sea. Even if we completely refuse to take 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 the world. Now its area is about 10% of that recorded in the 60s of the last century. Pictures from 1989 and 2003:

From the 1950s to the present, projects have been repeatedly proposed for the construction of a canal for transferring 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), so there is no talk of practical implementation of these projects yet.

Some scientists predict the complete disappearance of the Aral Sea by 2020...

Sasha Mitrahovich 22.03.2016 15:47

Lake Tanganyika is a large lake in Central Africa. It is one of the same 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 lake is about 650 km long and 40–80 km wide. The area is 34 thousand sq. km. 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, are huge rocks and only on the eastern side of the coast are gentle. On the west coast, the steep side walls of the East African Rift Zone, which form the coastline, reach 2,000 m in height. Coastline dotted with coves and bays. The largest of them is Burton Bay. The lake is fed by several tributaries. The only outflowing river - Lukuga (Lukuga) 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 hippos, crocodiles, and a lot of 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 living in the lake, about 170 are endemic.

Tanganyika is inhabited to about a depth of 200 m, below this mark there is a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide and life is absent to 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 strictly differs in layers. So, in the upper layer, the temperature ranges from 24 to 30 degrees, with a decrease at great depths. Due to the different density of water and the absence of a bottom current, the layers do not mix, and the temperature at the lower horizons reaches only 6-8 degrees.

The depth of the temperature jump layer is about 100 m. The Tanganika water is very transparent (up to 30 m). Many salts are dissolved in it in small concentrations, so that in its composition it resembles a highly diluted marine one. Water hardness (mainly due to magnesium salts) ranges from 8 to 15 degrees. Water has an alkaline reaction, pH 8.0 - 9.5.

Many consider the most beautiful lakes to be those that are located nearby and are familiar from childhood. Someone gives preference to reservoirs where the whole family goes to rest from year to year. However, there are lakes on Earth that attract tourists from all over the world. These are real wonders of nature, legends about which began to be composed since time immemorial.

Baikal

Lake Baikal in winter

ABOUT largest lake planets are usually spoken in superlatives. Baikal is called the most beautiful and majestic lake on Earth. There are many poems, fairy tales and legends about him. Baikal water is so clear that objects lying at a depth of 40 m can be seen through it.

This is the deepest lake in the world. It was formed in a tectonic basin, so the maximum depths reach 1642 m. Almost 20% of the world's fresh water is stored in a huge bowl. Seismic activity in the Baikal region is very high, and several earthquakes a year occur in the vicinity of the giant reservoir. However, they are so small that most shocks are detected only by highly sensitive equipment.

loch ness

Ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness

The most mysterious lake on the planet attracts tourists with legends about a monster living here. It is interesting that the legends about him appeared even among the ancient Celts. Every year, more than half a million travelers from all over the world rush to the shores of the Scottish reservoir to see the mysterious lake monster Nessie.

Like Baikal for Russia, Loch Ness is the largest reservoir of fresh water in the UK. There is a lot of peat suspension in the water of Loch Ness, so it is not transparent and does not allow video shooting at depth.

Como

Yachts on the background of the Alpine mountains on Lake Como

The natural pearl of Italy is recognized as one of the deepest lakes in the Old World. The maximum depth of Como reaches 410 m. Tourists come here to spend time among the amazing beautiful nature and breathe in the clean air of the Alpine foothills.

Picturesque slopes close the reservoir from cold winds, so Como has a mild climate. From the 19th century Italian lake has become a favorite holiday destination for Europeans. It is considered a true paradise for swimmers. From May to the end of October, the temperature of the lake water does not drop below +24°C.

Plitvice lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Popular national park in Croatia, it includes not one, but as many as 16 large lakes located in a picturesque cascade with a height difference of 130 m. The shores of these lakes are overgrown with beech and pine forests and attract travelers with ancient karst caves and beautiful waterfalls. Plitvice Lakes are beautiful at any time of the year. In summer, you can see flocks of river trout in clear water. In winter, the surrounding forests are wrapped in snow, the waterfalls freeze and turn into pillars of ice sparkling in the sun.

Michigan

View of Chicago from Lake Michigan

The largest freshwater lake in the United States has an area of ​​​​57.75 thousand square meters. km. It is part of the Great Lakes system and is connected by straits to Lake Hudson and the majestic Mississippi River. The name "Michigan" was given to the lake by the local Indians. Translated from one of their dialects, it means "big water".

In the first half of the 20th century, industrial megacities grew up on the shores of the lake. Harmful chemical discharges almost ruined the nature of Michigan. However, in the 1960s, environmentalists sounded the alarm and the lake water was saved. Fishing enthusiasts are coming to Michigan today. Salmon, pike perch, trout, salmon, carp and perch are caught in the lake. In addition, there are about 30 beaches scattered along the coast of Michigan, covered with pure white sand.

Issyk-Kul

Lake Issyk-Kul on the background of mountains

The largest lake in Kyrgyzstan is one of the largest alpine lakes in the world - it lies at an altitude of 1609 m. In terms of transparency, Issyk-Kul is second only to Baikal. Mild winters and a large amount of heat accumulated during the summer do not allow this lake to freeze. Due to the mild mountain-sea climate, the air in the lake basin is very clean, so many people come here to improve their health. Holidaymakers rush to Issyk-Kul for a tan, because 300 days a year the sun shines over the Kyrgyz lake. Picturesque places attract fans active rest- lovers of hiking and water tourism, skiers and fishermen.

Titicaca

Floating reed islands of the Uru Indians on Lake Titicaca

The mysterious lake, sacred to the indigenous peoples of the Andes, is located in beautiful mountains, on the border of Peru and Bolivia. According to legend, it is the cradle of Indian civilization. In ancient times, the lake lay at the level of the world ocean, but over time, the spurs of the Andes grew, and together with the mountains, the reservoir rose to a height of 3812 m.

The narrow Strait of Tikuin divides it into two basins. There are many islands on Titicaca and some of them are inhabited. Travelers choose this lake for its blue clear water, steep cliffs and islands overgrown with green forest.

Lake Geneva

The terraced vineyards of Lavaux on Lake Geneva

The largest lake in Western Europe, Lake Geneva, is called Leman by the French. Most of it belongs to Switzerland, while about 40% belongs to France. Lake Geneva looks like a crescent moon, the horns of which are facing south. It appeared after the retreating glacier, and today it is divided into Big and Small lakes. The coast is surrounded by high green mountains, behind which peep snow-covered mountains. high peaks. From several points Lake Geneva offers excellent views of the majestic Mont Blanc.

bled

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Lake Bled

Lake Bled is known as the most beautiful natural attraction in Slovenia. It is located on the conditional border between the South and Central Europe. Tourists come to the picturesque shores to admire the oldest Slovenian castle, which hangs on a steep cliff right above the water. Another attraction of Lake Bled is a beautiful church that rises on a small island. Bled is very easy to get to. From the capital of Slovenia - the city of Ljubljana, the lake separates about 50 km.

Tacho

Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe

The shores of the American Lake Tahoe have long been one of the main tourist centers of California and Nevada. Here, coniferous forests grow in abundance, dominated by pines and firs, and numerous streams and channels attract a large number of beavers in the vicinity of Tahoe. Many recreation centers have been built along the lake. Lovers come here in the summer beach holiday, fishing and aquatic species sports, and in winter, fans of mountain skiing go to Tahoe.

Lake Jellyfish

Golden and Moon Jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake

One of the unique reservoirs of our planet is located on the Pacific archipelago, which is owned by the Republic of Palau. Medusa Lake has dimensions of 460 by 160 m and is separated from the ocean coast by a two-hundred-meter strip of land. About 2 million jellyfish live in its slightly salty waters! They have no natural enemies, so a huge population actively breeds and thrives.

This is the only place on Earth where you can swim surrounded by a large number of jellyfish and at the same time not be afraid of their bites. That is why many divers are in a hurry to get to an unusual body of water. The reason for such an unusual behavior of jellyfish is their autonomous existence. Living in a closed reservoir, they adapted to a different type of food and learned to “grow” symbiotic algae on themselves, and before that the poisonous tentacles stopped stinging.

Seliger

Nilo-Stolobenskaya Hermitage on Lake Seliger

The long lake is often referred to as the blue necklace of Central Russia. Seliger lies on the border of the Novgorod and Tver regions and local residents was named Ostashkovsky Lake. More than one and a half hundred large and small islands are scattered across the water surface of Seliger. The protruding land areas, uneven coasts and beautiful channels became the legacy of the Ice Age.