Aug 03, 2024
Lake Baikal: The Largest & Deepest Freshwater Lake In The World
Lake Baikal, in Siberia, Russia, is the world's largest lake by volume, with a surface area vast enough to fit Belgium inside
It holds about 20 percent of the world’s unfrozen freshwater, with a volume of 23,013 cubic kilometers and a length of 636 kilometers
It is the deepest continental water body, reaching a maximum depth of 1,741 meters (5,712 feet)
It is the world's oldest freshwater lake at 25-30 million years old, formed in a rift valley where the Earth's crust continues to separate
It boasts some of the clearest water in the world, with underwater visibility reaching up to 40 meters
It is rich in biodiversity, hosts over 1,000 plant species and 2,500 animal species, 80 percent of which are endemic, and is home to the unique Baikal Seal
It is replenished by over 300 rivers and streams but drains solely through the Angara River into the Arctic Ocean
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