The 7 Largest Lakes in the World, Unique with their Features

Lake is a term used to describe a large body of water that has no outlet. Lakes are usually located near rivers or streams, but can also be found in deserts or other dry areas. They are formed when a river or stream flows into a basin where the water level rises until it reaches a point where it cannot flow out anymore. When this happens, the water builds up and forms a lake.

How are lakes formed?

1. Lakes form when water collects in depressions that have been created over time.

This can happen naturally due to erosion or man-made causes like deforestation. When this happens, the water becomes trapped in these depressions and eventually builds up enough pressure to force its way through the ground until it reaches the surface.

2. Lakes form when water flows into depressions that have been carved out over time.

Water can collect in these depressions and slowly seep down through the earth. As the water moves downward, it gets colder and denser. Eventually, the water reaches the bottom of the depression where it freezes and expands. This expansion creates cracks in the surrounding rock and allows the ice to push upward. This action continues until the lake has formed.

3. Lakes form when water accumulates in depressions that have not yet been carved out.

If a large amount of rain falls in a short period of time, the excess water may accumulate in a small area. Over time, the water level rises and begins to erode the land around it. Eventually, the water breaks through the ground and forms a lake.

4. Lakes form when water runs downhill from higher elevations to lower ones.

In this case, the water collects in the lowest point along the path. As the water travels farther and farther away from the source, it cools and becomes less dense. Eventually, the water freezes and expands, creating cracks in the surrounding rocks. These cracks allow the ice to push upward and create a lake.

5. Lakes form when water evaporates from underground springs.

Springs are areas of groundwater that flow under the surface of the Earth. They usually occur at the base of mountains and hills. The water that comes out of the spring is warm and humid, but it does not contain any salt. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind minerals and salts that make the water salty. Saltwater lakes are common in arid regions of the world.

6. Lakes form when water is pumped out of the ground.

This is done for many reasons including irrigation, mining, and hydroelectric power generation. Pumping water out of the ground forces the water to travel through pipes and then back into the ground. This means that the water is no longer connected to the original source. Once the water is removed from the ground, it cannot return to the same spot. Instead, it spreads out across the landscape.

7 largest lakes in the world

1. Great Salt Lake - Utah, USA

The Great Salt Lake is located in Utah, United States. Its surface area is about 1,300 km². The lake has a salinity of 38-40% and its water volume is about 22 cubic kilometers. The Great Salt Lake is the largest body of saline water in North America.

2. Aral Sea - Kazakhstan

The Aral Sea was once the fourth largest inland body of water in the world after Lake Superior, Lake Victoria, and the Caspian Sea. Today, however, the sea has been reduced to less than 1/5th its original size, due to overuse and contamination.

3. Caspian Sea - Russia

The Caspian Sea is the largest body of water entirely located in Asia. It is bounded by Russia (on the north), Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Afghanistan (all south). Its surface area is about 1,743,000 square kilometers, making it almost twice the size of France.

4. Dead Sea - Jordan

The Dead Sea is located in the Middle East, in Jordan and Israel. This body of water is the lowest point on Earth, covering 335 square miles and reaching depths of 427 feet. It is surrounded by cliffs that drop down sharply to its shores. The sea lies dormant at the bottom of a deep valley formed by the Israel Mountains.

5. Lake Chad - Nigeria

The largest lake in Africa, Lake Chad has shrunk dramatically over the past few decades due to unsustainable levels of water extraction for agriculture and human consumption. This has had devastating effects on the people who live around the lake and the wildlife that calls this region home.

6. Lake Victoria - Tanzania

The largest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria is located in East Africa. It has a surface area of about 1,600 km2 (635 mi2) and covers an estimated land area of 2,500 km2 (1,000 mi2). It lies between 8°30'N and 33°00'E latitudes and between 0°10'S and 30°50'S longitudes. Its maximum depth is about 100 m (330 ft), but its average depth is only about 20 m (65 ft).

7. Lake Malawi - Malawi

The lake is located in central Africa, south of Tanzania and north of Mozambique. It has a surface area of about. It is the largest lake entirely contained within a country.

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