Largest Lakes in the World (by Water Volume)
Overview
Which is the largest lake by volume in the world?
The largest lake in the world by volume is Caspian Sea of Asia with a volume of 78,200 km3. The second and third largest lakes by volume are Lake Baikal with a water volume of 23,600 km3 and Tanganyika which holds up to 18,900 km3 of water.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.
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Here are the world's largest lakes by volume.
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 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.
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 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.
Malawi is the 2nd deepest lake in Africa at 706 meters.
Spanning a surface area of 29,500 km2, Malawi contains up to 8,400 km3 of water and reaches a maximum depth of 706 meters.
It spans 579 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in Africa: Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania.
Lake Malawi is another ancient lake, having formed as early as 1-2 million years ago
Compare Malawi with Bangweulu from Zambia.
Compare Malawi with Mweru from Zambia, Democratic Republic Of The Congo.
Vostok is the 2nd deepest lake in Russia at 1,000 meters.
Reaching as deep as 1,000 meters, Vostok holds up to 5,400 km3 of water and covers a surface area of 12,500 km2.
It spans 250 km on its length. Countries along its shoreline in Antarctica: Antarctica.
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.
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.
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