Largest Lakes in the World (by Surface Area)
Overview
Which is the largest lake in the world by surface area?
The largest lake by surface area in the world is Caspian Sea of Asia with an area of 371,000 km2. At second and third, are Lake Superior which spans 82,100 km2 and Lake Victoria at 68,870 km2.
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Deepest Lakes. The deepest lake in the world is Lake Baikal of Asia with a maximum depth of 1,637 meters.The depths of the major lakes in the world range from 0.5 meters to 1,637 meters, with lakes reaching as deep as 238.7 meters on average.
Lakes with the largest volumes. The largest lake in the world by volume is Caspian Sea of Asia with a volume of 78,200 km3.The water volumes of the major lakes in the world range from 0.03 km3 to 78,200 km3, with lakes holding up to 1,808.9 km3 of water on average.
Here are the world's largest lakes by surface area.
Caspian Sea is the largest lake by surface area in the world at 371,000 km2.
Despite its name, the Caspian Sea is often regarded as the world's largest lake. It is an endorheic basin, a basin without outflows, bordered by both Europe and Asia. Its salinity is also a third the salinity of most seawater. At 1,025 meters deep, the Caspian Sea is also the world's third deepest lake.
Containing up to 78,200 km3 of water, Caspian Sea has a maximum depth of 1,025 meters and spans a surface area of 371,000 km2.
It spans 1,199 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in Asia: Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbajian, Iran.
Lake Superior is the 2nd largest lake by surface area in the world at 82,100 km2.
Lake Superior is a lake that holds up to 12,100 km3 of water, reaching a maximum depth of 406.3 meters. The lake also covers 82,100 km2 in surface area.
It spans 616 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in North America: Canada, United States.
Lake Victoria is the 3rd largest lake by surface area in the world at 68,870 km2.
Lake Victoria is a lake that spans 68,870 km2 in surface area, reaching as deep as 84 meters. It also holds a total water volume of up to 2,750 km3.
It spans 322 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in Africa: Uganda, Kenya.
Compare Lake Victoria with Malawi from Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania.
Huron is the 2nd largest lake by surface area in North America at 59,600 km2.
Containing up to 3,540 km3 of water, Huron has a maximum depth of 229 meters and spans a surface area of 59,600 km2.
It spans 332 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in North America: Canada, United States.
It also contains Manitoulin Island, the world's largest lake island.
Michigan is the 2nd largest lake by water volume in North America at 4,900 km3.
Containing up to 4,900 km3 of water, Michigan has a maximum depth of 281 meters and spans a surface area of 58,000 km2.
It spans 494 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in North America: United States.
It is also the largest lake that is contained within one country.
Tanganyika is the 2nd deepest lake in the world at 1,470 meters.
Tanganyika is a lake that holds up to 18,900 km3 of water, reaching a maximum depth of 1,470 meters. The lake also covers 32,600 km2 in surface area.
It spans 676 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in Africa: Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Lake Tanganyika is also the second-oldest lake in the world - an ancient lake that is formed as early as 9 - 12 million years ago.
Compare Tanganyika with Mweru from Zambia, Democratic Republic Of The Congo.
Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world at 1,637 meters.
Reaching as deep as 1,637 meters, Lake Baikal holds up to 23,600 km3 of water and covers a surface area of 31,500 km2.
It spans 636 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in Asia: Russia.
Located in Siberia, it is also considered the world's oldest lake, dating to some 25-30 million years back. As a freshwater lake, Lake Baikal also make up 22–23% of the world's fresh surface water.
Compare Lake Baikal with Matano from Indonesia.
Compare Lake Baikal with Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbajian, Iran.
Datasets on Lakes
World — Deepest lakes | Largest lakes by water volume | Largest lakes by surface area
Largest Lakes by Region — Europe | North America | South America | Asia | Africa
Deepest Lakes by Region — Europe | North America | South America | Asia | Africa
Largest Lakes by Countries — Canada | USA | China | Russia | UK | Italy | Switzerland | Scandinavia | Argentina | Australia