Where is the largest lake on Earth?

The biggest lake on Earth ... What is it? Agree that the word "lake" is a kind of quiet and calm pond, overgrown with reeds. In it, covering our eyes, we see white water-lilies, and to the opposite shore is just a stone's throw away.

However, few people think about the fact that there are also such lakes that will definitely give odds to some of the seas, both in their size and depth, and in the strength of periodically arising storms.

Today I propose to talk about them.

The largest lake on Earth. Its characteristics

Strangely enough, but the biggest lake on Earth we all used to call the sea or simply the Caspian Sea. In fact, taking into account its peculiarities, it is simply impossible to call it the sea. Why? Yes, because, according to the definition, some rivers should flow into the latter, but the Caspian located at the junction of Europe and Asia is without drainage.

If you look carefully at images taken from space, you can immediately note another undeniably important feature. - The Caspian Sea has a rather complex form, reminiscent of the letter S from the Latin alphabet.

Its dimensions are really impressive: the length from north to south is about 1200 km, but the distance from the east to the west coast is different in different parts, and therefore the figure ranges from 195 to 345 km, the average figure is 315 km.

From a purely geographical point of view, and taking into account its physical conditions, the Caspian Sea is used to divide into three parts: the Northern, Middle and Southern.

The banks are usually smooth and lowland. And only in the northern part of the coastline is markedly cut by islands and channels of such powerful rivers as the Volga and the Urals. In this swampy and extremely low terrain, the water surface covers the thickets in many places.

The largest lake on Earth. North America

The second in the list of record holders is Lake Verkhnee, located and North America and is one of the Great Lakes cascade .

However, one can not but note the fact that it, among other things, is also considered the largest of the freshwater lakes of the planet.

You can see it with your own eyes at the border of two states - the USA and Canada. Its northern and eastern parts belong to the Canadian province of Ontario, while the western and southern parts are represented by three American states: Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Speaking of geological features, the Upper Lake was formed as a result of tectonic movements in the glacial and preglacial period. Retreating, the waters of the glaciers melted, thus filling the water with a huge body of water.

The largest lake in America is now considered, and quite deservedly, a favorite place for recreation not only for locals, but also for the huge number of tourists who almost throughout the year are eager to admire the beautiful islands and take pictures of rocky and steep coasts.

The largest lake on Earth. Europe

According to statistics, Lake Ladoga, located in the north-western part of our country, can be considered the largest freshwater reservoir in Europe without a doubt. Its dimensions, compared with the two lakes listed above, are rather modest: the length from north to south is 219 km, and the average width is only 138 km.

However, the largest lake in Europe is not by no means the same. It performs an important role in the life of the Russian Federation. And above all, it supplies our northern capital with drinking water. The water in Ladozhsky is clear, cold and practically free from any impurities of mineral salts. Secondly, it also has an important commercial value, because In its waters since time immemorial numerous species of the family of salmon. In addition, this reservoir significantly affects the weather - it is here that the marine climate changes to the continental climate.