Russia is a country with rich and unique natural resources, it has something to surprise and amaze: forests, rivers, fields, and of course its lakes, which are also called “the blue eyes of our planet”, which is undoubtedly very beautiful and poetic. About two million lakes are located on its territory of the Russian Federation, their total area is 350 thousand km 2, the volume of water in all lakes is more than 26 thousand m 3. Most of the lakes are of glacial origin.

Large lakes of Russia

The largest lakes located in the European part of Russia are Onega, Ladoga, Chudsko-Pskovskoye, Ilmen, a huge number of lakes in the "lake region" of the Republic of Karelia.

The lakes of the Asian part of Russia are the Caspian Sea-Lake, Baikal, the northernmost lake in Russia, Taimyr, the Far Eastern Lake Khanka and the salt lake Chany in southwestern Siberia.

The Caspian Lake is the largest drainless, closed reservoir on Earth, its area is 371 thousand km 2, and the level is 28 meters below sea level (in Russia it is the Baltic Sea). Due to the large size and specific structure of the bed (it contains the earth's crust of the oceanic type), it is also called the sea. A conditional border between Europe and Asia passes along its surface, it washes the shores of Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran. The Russian Caspian Sea is the territory of the Republic of Dagestan, Kalmykia, Astrakhan region (northern and northwestern part of the Caspian Sea) ...

Lake Baikal is one of the most picturesque places in our country, it is the deepest lake on the planet, huge reserves of fresh water are stored here - 85% of all reserves in Russia and 22% of the world. Its area is 31.7 thousand km 2, length - 636 km, width 48 km, max gubina indicators - 1637 m. Baikal is the oldest lake, it is about 30 million years old, its basin is located in a rift basin, its water is especially clean and transparency, the area around the lake (mountains, hills, dense deciduous forests) - a unique picturesque...

The northern and eastern shores of Lake Ladoga are located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia, the southern and western - in the Leningrad region. Its area, together with the islands, is 18.3 thousand km 2, this is the largest freshwater lake in Europe. It has access to the Atlantic Ocean, more than 40 rivers and lakes flow into it, the Neva River flows out (it flows into the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, which is part of the Atlantic). In the southern part there are three large bays, large cities on its coast - Priozersk, Shlisselburg, Novaya Ladoga (Leningrad region), Sortavala, Lahdenpokhya (Karelia) ...

Lake Onega is located in the north-west of Russia, 80% of it is located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia, 20% - in the Leningrad and Vologda regions. Its area, together with the islands, is 9.7 thousand km 2, it is the second largest freshwater lake in Europe. The lake basin is located at the junction of the Baltic Shield and the Russian Platform. About 50 rivers carry their waters into the lake, one flows out - the Svir. Kondopoga, Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk (Republic of Karelia) were built on its banks...

Lake Taimyr with an area of ​​4.5 thousand km 2 is called the “northern brother” of Baikal, because it is the second largest fresh lake in the Asian part of Russia. It is located on the Taimyr Peninsula in the Krasnoyarsk Territory of the Russian Federation. The lake is located beyond the Arctic Circle, its surface is covered with ice from September to July. The Upper Taimyr flows into it, the Lower Taimyr (Kara Sea basin) flows out ...

If Finland is called "the country of thousands of lakes", then Russia can be called "the country of millions of lakes". Indeed, in our country there are over 2 million lakes, from tiny ones to those that are comparable in size to a small sea.

10. White Lake, area - 1,290 km²

There are many white lakes in Russia, but the largest of them is located in the Vologda region, near Cherepovets. It got its name because of the fine white clay, which mixes with lake water in bad weather and gives it a white color.

And intensive navigation also does not contribute to the transparency of water and causes heavy pollution of the White Lake with oil products. The shores of the lake are densely populated, which only increases the amount of waste and runoff entering the water. Because of this, fish often die en masse in White Lake.

9. Chany - 1,708-2,269 km²

Between Omsk and Novosibirsk lies one of the largest lakes in Russia. If it seemed to you that its name is consonant with the word "chan", then in fact it is so. Translated from the Turkic chan - a vessel of large size. The area of ​​the lake is not constant, and is still not exactly known.

According to local legends, there is an entrance to Shambhala near Lake Chany, a mystical land of spiritual harmony and enlightenment. But local fishermen do not need to look for Shambhala in order to achieve harmony, because they still have at their disposal the rich (although depleted from year to year) fish stocks of the lake, including roach, perch, bream, pike, ide, silver carp, carp and zander.

8. Ubsu-Nur - 3,350 km²

The largest lake in Mongolia touches the territory of the Republic of Tuva with part of the northern coast and water area, so it can be considered the brainchild of two countries.

Ubsu-Nur water tastes bitter-salty, reminiscent of sea water and approximately corresponds to the Black Sea water in salinity.

Once upon a time, the Xiongnu, Mongols and Yenisei Kyrgyz tribes roamed along the shores of the lake. They left behind runic inscriptions, burial mounds and petroglyphs. But today the coast of Ubsu-Nur is practically uninhabited, which saved the local ecosystem from human impact. The only type of fish in Ubsu-Nur that has commercial value is the Altai osman.

7. Lake Peipsi-Pskovskoye - 3,555 km²

A picturesque place, perfect for relaxing away from the noisy metropolis. It is located on the border between Estonia and the Pskov and Leningrad regions. And part of the name Chudsko-Pskovskoe just came from the ethnonym "chud", which in Rus' was used to refer to the ancient Estonians (because of their "wonderful" language).

Thanks to the beauty of the lake, numerous recreation centers with enticing names have grown on its shores: "Far Far Away Kingdom", "Teremok", "Lukomorye" and "Chudskoye Compound". The Estonian side does not lag behind the Russian side, and has built recreational establishments on its side with names that are not so sweet for the Russian ear: Kauksi, Uusküla and Suvi.

6. Khanka - 4,070 km²

One of the largest lakes in Russia and the largest freshwater reservoir in the Far East generously shares its wealth with both the Russian and Chinese sides. Lake Khanka is very rich in fish, and even in the Middle Ages, Chinese emperors ate fish caught in its waters.

It was in the vicinity of this lake that Akira Kurosawa filmed his famous film Dersu Uzala. Indirectly, Khanka is also present in the anime series "Full Panic", where the state of the same name appears, located within the borders of a real lake.

5. Taimyr - 4,560 km²

The northernmost lake in the world is located in the permafrost zone. Not surprisingly, most of the year it is covered with ice.

But harsh conditions are not a hindrance for many lake inhabitants, such as omul, burbot, grayling, char, muksun and whitefish. Red-breasted geese, geese, ducks, peregrine falcons and other migratory birds nest on the Taimyr Islands.

And this region is also known for the largest population of reindeer in Russia. In addition to them, in Taimyr you can meet wolves, arctic foxes and even musk oxen, which were introduced into the region in the 70s of the last century.

4. Lake Onega - 9,720 km²

One of the largest freshwater reservoirs in Europe absorbs over 1,000 watercourses, but it allows only one to go outside - the Svir River. And there are even more islands on Lake Onega than watercourses - 1650.

The most famous of them is the island of Kizhi, which contains the best examples of Russian wooden temple architecture. These buildings date back to various centuries (the oldest of them dates back to the 14th century) and they were moved to the island for the purpose of preservation and accessibility to the public.

3. Lake Ladoga - 17,870 km²

This Karelian beauty is a zealous hostess. Following the example of her brother, Lake Onega, she collects many rivers and streams (more than 40 of them flow into the lake), and releases only one river from her arms - the Neva. And in the Neva Delta is the "Venice of the North" - the majestic St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), which is.

During the Second World War, the famous Road of Life ran along Lake Ladoga - the only transport artery that connected Leningrad besieged by the Germans and Finns with the rest of the country. For deliveries to the city, trucks drove over the frozen lake in winter, and during periods of navigation, cargo was transported by water. During the existence of the Road of Life (from September 12, 1941 to March 1943), 1 million 615 thousand tons were transported along it and 1 million 376 thousand people were evacuated.

2. Baikal - 31,722 km²

One of them still holds the title of the cleanest lake in Russia. At first, you can experience a shock, swimming into the depths and finding that the boat seems to be floating in the air. And if you visit Baikal in winter, you will be met by the most transparent ice, the thickness of which reaches 50 centimeters.

Some European states, such as Malta (316 km²), Montenegro (13812 km²) and Albania (28748 km²), can be accommodated entirely on the territory of Baikal.

1. Caspian Sea - 371,000 km²

The list of the largest lakes in Russia is crowned by the largest closed reservoir on Earth. The ancient Romans called it the sea because of the brackish water. In fact, the salinity of the Caspian water is 1.2%, which is about 1/3 of the salinity of most sea waters.

And the word "Caspian" appeared in the name in honor of the tribes of the Caspians, who lived on the southwestern coast of the sea in the first millennium BC. e. However, different peoples gave their name to the Caspian Sea, and there were as many as 70 of them near the sea-lake.

Like the Aral, Azov and Black Seas, the Caspian is a relic of the ancient Sarmatian Sea, on the shores of which elephants, rhinos, giraffes and mastodons once roamed. It lost access to the sea about 5.5 million years ago due to tectonic rise and fall in sea levels.

About 850 animal species, more than 500 plant species and 115 fish species are represented in the Caspian. Some of the most valuable species of commercial fish living in the Caspian are sturgeon, Caspian bream and Caspian salmon.

Several animal species are named after the region, such as the Caspian gull, Caspian tern, and the Caspian seal, which is endemic to the lake.

List of the largest lakes in Russia

#	Lake	Area, km²	Depth, m	Height above sea level, m
1	Caspian Sea	371000	1025	−28
2		31500	1637	456
3		17703	225	4
4		9616	124	32
5		4560	26	6
6		4190	10	68
7		3555	15	30
8		3350	15	753
9		1990	12	105
10		1290	20	113
11	topozero	986	56	110
12	Ilmen	982	10	18
13	Khantai lake	822	420	65
14	Segozero	815	103	120
15	Imandra	812	67	128
16	Pyasino	735	10	28
17	Kulunda lake	728	4	98
18	Pyaozero	659	49	110
19	Vygozero	560	24	89
20	seal lake	552	12	0.4
21	storehouse	470	n/a	47
22	red lake	458	4	0
23	Keta	452	180	93
24	Ubinskoye lake	440	4	134
25	pekulneyskoe lake	435	n/a	0.7
26	Umbozero	422	115	149
27	vozhe	416	4	120
28	Kubenskoye lake	407	13	109
29	Chukchagir lake	366	6	70
30	Portnyagino	360	n/a	62
31	Manych-Gudilo	344	1	10
32	bologne	338	4	19
33	lacha	334	6	118
34	Udyl	330	5	12
35	Mogotievo lake	323	n/a	0
36	Vodlozero	322	4	136
37	Lama	318	> 300	n/a
38	Orel	314	4	n/a
39	Kesey	280	4	n/a
40	petty	270	22	n/a
41	Kungasalah	270	n/a	76
42	Syamozero	266	24	n/a
43	Middle Kuito	257	n/a	101
44	Pyhäjärvi	255	32	80
45	Bustach	249	n/a	n/a
46	Yarroto 1st	247	8	n/a
47	Kronotsky lake	242	148	372
48	Sartlan	238	6	n/a
49	Essey	238	n/a	266
50	seal lake	237	n/a	n/a
51	Vivi	229	n/a	n/a
52	Kovdozero	224	63	37
53	Keret	223	5	91
54	teletskoye lake	223	325	434
55	Seliger	222	24	205
56	Nyuk	214	40	134
57	Lovozero	209	35	n/a
58	Mainychin-Ankavatan	205	n/a	n/a
59	Yanisjarvi	175	51	64

The nature of Russia, the largest state on the planet, is amazing and multifaceted. Freshwater and salt lakes of Russia are located throughout the country, in all its natural zones and climatic zones. Today there are 2 million reservoirs with a total area of ​​350 thousand square kilometers.

Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth and the largest lake in our country. Formally, this is a drainless lake, which the ancient Romans called the sea - they were so amazed when they saw its size and noticed that the water was salty. And it is called Caspian in honor of the tribes of the Caspian, who in those days lived on the shore of the reservoir. The area of ​​the reservoir is 390 thousand square meters. km.

In fact, it can be classified both as a large drainless lake and as a full-fledged sea due to its impressive size and the oceanic type of earth crust on which it is located. More than a hundred rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, the largest and main of which is the Volga. It is she who is the main source of power for a reservoir with a drain of 220-225 cubic meters. km. In addition to it, the lake is provided with the volume of water by the Ural, Terek, Emba and Sulak rivers, which together make up 85–90% of the runoff that enters the sea.

The Caspian Sea with its waters borders with the following countries:

• Kazakhstan.
• Iran.
• Russia.
• Turkmenistan.
• Azerbaijan.

The total coastline of all countries is almost 7.5 thousand km, the main share of which is occupied by Kazakhstan with 2320 km. The water in the sea is really slightly salty. More than 150 species of fish live in the reservoir and the rivers flowing into it.

Deep water Baikal

Baikal is considered the deepest lake not only in Russia, but also in the world, with the lowest point at 1642 m. This great lake is the most famous among Russians. Everyone who managed to visit here speaks of its greatness and beauty. Foreigners often call it not only Baikal, but Great Lakes because of its impressive size. Today, Baikal contains approximately 20% of the planet's fresh water - this is the largest indicator on Earth, with which only the Amazon River basin can be compared. It is part of Buryatia and the Irkutsk region.

The volume of Baikal exceeds 23.5 thousand cubic meters. km, and the length of the largest section is 612 km. However, in winter, between January and May, it freezes almost completely. The only exception is a small section of the reservoir about 20 km long. By the end of winter, the ice reaches a meter deep, and even two in the bays. There are 27 islands in the lake, one of which is over 70 km long.

The fauna around the reservoir is unique and has more than 1500 species, 80% of which cannot be found anywhere else on the planet, so many of them are listed in the Red Book. Baikal is considered the most environmentally friendly area in the country.

European record holder - Ladoga

Lake Ladoga is considered the largest lake in the European part of Russia and the second largest in the Russian Federation after Baikal. It is also the largest lake in Europe, with an area of ​​17,870 sq. km. The depth of the reservoir is uneven: in the north it is 70–230 meters, and in the south only 20–70. The territory of Ladoga has more than 500 islands.

The lake is notable for the fact that more than 40 rivers flow into it, and only one flows out - the Neva. Ladoga serves as an important stopping point for birds flying along the North Atlantic route and thereby marking the approach of spring.

For tourists and vacationers along the coastline, many recreation centers and cottage complexes have been built, e kayak swims are held annually and pro-raid "Ladoga".

Lake Onega

If we consider in detail the lakes of Russia on a map with names, then the largest of them are relatively close to each other. So, Onego is the second largest lake in Europe, located near Ladoga. The average depth is 30 meters, but in some places it reaches 127 meters. The area is almost 9,700 sq. km. This is enough to fit small countries like Liechtenstein on it. It belongs to the territory of Karelia (80%), as well as two regions (20%) - Leningrad and Vologda.

Onego was formed as a result of the movement of the Earth's crust and glaciers. Its shores in the northern part are high and rocky, mostly composed of steely granite covered with forest. In the south, the shores are narrow and sandy, but swampy terrain is not uncommon here. On the banks there are two ports - Medvezhyegorsk and Petrozavodsk, as well as 5 marinas and several stopping points. There are about 1600 small islands on the reservoir with a total area of ​​260 sq. km.

40 species of fish live here, including trout, smelt, lake salmon, Onega slingshot and others. Some of them are of industrial importance.

Taimyr - the pearl of the north

Among the lakes located in the Asian part of Russia, Taimyr is inferior in size only to Baikal. The reservoir is located in the Krasnodar Territory, in the central regions of the Taimyr Peninsula. It is the northernmost of the truly large lakes in the world.

The area of ​​the Taimyr basin is 104,300 square kilometers, but despite its size, it is covered with ice from the end of September until July, the ice-free period is an average of 73 days a year. Due to the harsh climate and the average annual air temperature of -13.4 ° C, not a single settlement is located on Taimyr, but now there is an inactive meteorological station there.

Taimyr is one of the cleanest reservoirs in Russia. Many rivers and streams flow into the lake, some of which are mountainous, but only one river flows out - the Lower Taimyr.

Taimyr is famous for the largest deer population in Eurasia. Other types of animals also live here:

• arctic fox;
• wolf;
• argali;
• lemmings.

On the reservoir you can watch the northern lights, and tourists are also attracted by the celebrations of reindeer herders and the reserve.

Beautiful Khanka

The lake is approximately 97% located on the territory of Russia, the rest of it falls on the Chinese province of Heilongjiang. Khanka is the largest freshwater reservoir in the Far East. Its area, depending on the season and changes in the water level, ranges from 394,000 to 500,000 hectares, and its volume - from 12.0 to 22.6 km3.

24 rivers flow into the Khanka, including the Komissarovka and Ilistaya, and the Sungach and the Ussuri tributary flow out. The lake is almost 90 km long, and in some places it reaches 67 km wide. Khanka is quite shallow, its average depth is 4.5 meters, and the largest is 10.6 meters.

On the Chinese side, Malaya Khanka Lake is located, which is separated from the main body of water by a narrow sandy path. Between the two lakes there is an exchange of water due to seepage, and then they are connected by a channel.

In 1996, the Russian and Chinese governments agreed to create an international reserve "Lake Khanka". The flora and fauna here are diverse, and since 1976, the territory has the status of wetlands of international importance. The shores of the reservoir are wetlands. 50 species of fish live in the lake itself, including carp and skygazer. And 327 species of birds were seen on the shores.

Despite the fact that Khanka has muddy water, warming up before the Sea of ​​Japan, it attracts many vacationers and those who want to swim on its coast. Windsurfing competitions are also popular here in spring and summer.

Chudsko-Pskovskiy complex

Lake Peipus-Pskovskoye is the largest transboundary and fifth largest lake in Europe, located on the border of Estonia and the Russian Federation. The reservoir belongs to the Leningrad and Pskov regions. The area of ​​the lake is 3.5 thousand km2, and the volume is 25 km3. The deepest point is 15 m.

The lake complex includes:

• Northern Lake Peipsi (73%).
• South Pskov Lake (20%).
• Middle Warm Lake (7%).

30 rivers flow into the reservoir, and one flows out - the Narova. There are about 30 islands on Lake Peipus, and 40 more in the delta of the Velikaya River. Most of them rise only 1-2 m above the water level and are often flooded.

The main part of the territory of the Russian coast and a number of islands are included in the border zone. There is no border zone on the Estonian side and access to the reservoir does not cause problems.

The complex presents 54 species of coastal aquatic plants, among which the most common are reeds and reeds. The waters of the lake are home to 42 different species of fish. Wetlands are an important crossing point for birds migrating towards the Baltic Sea. The region is inhabited by the largest colony of swallows in all of Estonia.

Unique blue Ubsu-Nur

Ubsu-Nur is the largest lake in Mongolia and the most saline in the country. The reservoir is located on the territory of two states - Russia and Mongolia. The origin of the Russian name was borrowed from the Mongolian "Uvs nuur" (lake "Uvs").

By its type, the reservoir is closed and drainless and is a remnant of a once large sea. The water in it - with a high concentration of salt. The basin covers about 70,000 square kilometers. It is in this region that the northern desert and the southern tundra meet.

About 220 species of birds live around Ubsu-Nur, for many of which it serves as a resting and nesting place during migration. The fauna is also rich, 29 species of fish live in the waters of the lake, only one of which is allowed for human consumption.

Since 2003, the reservoir has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage System. On the territory of the Russian Federation, it is located in the Republic of Tyva. The region around it was inhabited several thousand years ago. As evidence of this, many burial mounds, runes, petroglyphs and other traces have remained, proving the existence of once nomadic tribes there - the Xiongnu, Kirghiz and Mongols. The lake is famous for the unique beautiful blue color of the water, which you will not find anywhere else in the world.

Pond Chany

Chany is a body of water constantly changing in size, located in the Novosibirsk region. Although it is little known outside of Siberia, it is one of the largest lakes in the country. It is shallow and its maximum depth has reached only 10 m, and the average is 2.2 meters. The maximum recorded diameter of the description of Chana was 18 km.

The reservoir is located in the forest-steppe natural zone. Its shores are low and overgrown with reeds, reeds and shrubs, the bottom is sandy and muddy. The lake is slightly saline, while in the east the salinity index is lower than in other places. There are about 70 islands on the territory of Chany, some of which are natural monuments of the region, as their unique natural landscapes are a great place for rare species of animals and plants to live. 16 species of fish live here, including perch, pike perch, golden carp and others.

Since 1994, Chany has been included in the list of wetlands of international importance.

Beloe in size is the second (after Onega) natural reservoir of the Vologda region and the third among all (after the Rybinsk reservoir). At the same time, it is included in the list of the ten largest natural European lakes. The average depth of the reservoir is 4 meters, and the largest is 20. The coastline of the White Lake is flat, and there are practically no bays and bays on it, the bottom is silty-sandy. The contour outline of the lake resembles a shape close to a circle.

The smallest of the large lakes is 43 km long and up to 32 wide. The area of ​​the reservoir itself is 1,290 km2, and the basin is about 14,000 km2. During the year, the region receives quite a lot of precipitation, the average annual amount is 660 mm, with 430 of them falling in the warm season. The thickness of the snow by the end of winter reaches 40-60 cm. In summer, heavy rains are usually observed, and in autumn - long continuous rains.

The area between the artificial sea and the lake is a real storehouse of interesting facts and unsolved mysteries. An example of this is the Ferapontov Monastery with a "miraculous" source. Hundreds of people come to him and pray for healing from incurable diseases.

The list of lakes in Russia does not end with this top, there are many more interesting places. For example, Dzhukul, the highest lake in the country, is located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters in the Altai Mountains.

Our Motherland - Russia is rich in water resources. These are reserves of clean fresh water, and boundless salty seas and lakes. This article is devoted to the largest lakes in Russia. There are a lot of them, we will highlight the ten main ones. And if you are concerned about the question: what is the largest lake in Russia ?, then carefully examining this TOP, you will get an answer to it.

1. Caspian Sea

This lake is considered to be the sea, because it has salty waters and huge sizes. It is the largest lake not only in Russia, but also on the whole planet. Five states are located along its banks: Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan). The territories of Russia washed by this lake are Kalmykia, Dagestan, Astrakhan region. The area of ​​the Caspian Sea is more than 370 thousand square kilometers, and the maximum depth is 1025 meters. It bears its name as a heritage of ancient tribes - the Caspians, who lived in ancient times in the south-west of its coast.

2. Baikal

The second largest lake in Russia. This is the largest freshwater lake. It is located in Eastern Siberia on the territory of Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. Baikal is the deepest lake on the planet. Its maximum depth is 1640 meters. The area of ​​this lake is more than 315,000 sq. km., it is the main reservoir of fresh water in Russia (90% of the total reserves). The Angara River flows out of Baikal. The waters of this beautiful lake are clean and fresh. As long as we have something to be proud of.

Located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad region, a large lake with an area of ​​17,600 square kilometers impresses with its beauty and picturesque nature. Lake Ladoga is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe, with a maximum depth of 230 meters. 35 large rivers stretch to its bosom, and the proud Neva flows out of it. Industrial and private fishing flourishes on Lake Ladoga, this is facilitated by the abundance of various types of fish.

4. Lake Onega

Freshwater lake on the territory of Karelia, Leningrad and Vologda regions. Numerous monuments of Russian culture are located along its wide banks. The clear water of Onego-father, as it is affectionately called by the people, stretches over 9616 sq. km and has a maximum depth of 127 meters. The Svir River flows out of the lake.

The lake is spread over the territory of the Krasnoyarsk Territory for 4560 sq. km. it is located on the peninsula of the same name. Taimyr is the northernmost lake on Earth. The depth and width of the lake varies depending on the density of the ice and the time of year, but in general the deepest place is 26 meters. Mostly in the Taimyr Lake there are arctic fish species adapted to survive in harsh cold conditions.

6. Khanka

The lake is located in Primorye, on the border with China. A favorite place for tourists who want to visit both the Far East of Russia and China, and get acquainted with the culture and customs of two countries at once, so dissimilar to each other.
The maximum depth of Khanka is 11 meters, and the area is about 4070 sq. km. The lake is rich in its fauna, but many species of fish are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and are prohibited for catching.

Located in the Pskov region. It has an area of ​​3550 sq. km and the greatest depth - 15 km. The river Narva originates from it.

8. Ubsu Nur

This salty, beautiful lake with an unusual name is located in Tuva. Its area is 3350 sq. km, and the maximum depth reaches 15 meters.

9. Lake Chany

Salt lake in the Novosibirsk region. There is a legend that a huge snake lives in this lake, which devours people. And what? There is plenty of room to roam. After all, the area of ​​this lake varies, reaching 2000 sq. km, and the depth in some places is 12 meters. And although, perhaps, these are fairy tales for tourists, the lake fascinates with its lively beauty.

10. White Lake

The fresh lake, located in the Vologda region, covers an area of ​​about 1290 sq. km, reaches a maximum depth of 20 meters, although the shore of the White Lake is rather low and its average depth is 5-7 meters. The Sheksna River flows from its bowels. The lake is rich in fish, and happy fishermen fish up to 30 different species of fish.

We have listed some of the many lakes located on the territory of our country. As you can see, Karelia is the richest area in Russia with lakes. Lucky!

Well, the smallest lake in Russia has not yet bothered to get its name. Apparently, because there are thousands of such lakes in Russia! Someone calls them by the names of the surrounding villages. The official version of the smallest lake is Lake Ertso, on the territory of South Ossetia. Every 3-5 years, the lake completely goes underground, as if it never existed, and after a while it reappears with a solemn look. A kind of "ghost". In high water, it reaches 0.5 sq. km. This is such an unusual lake.

Published: 28.01.2018 Category: Author's essay

Our Fatherland is the largest state on the planet. Accordingly, there are too many reservoirs in its space, including lakes. Here we will talk about the latter. The lakes of Russia in some regions do not remind of themselves, but somewhere, on the contrary, there are a lot of them: without knowing the ford, you will drown. The Russian Federation is in 4th place in terms of the number of closed natural pools. There are over 2 million such hydrological formations on its territory. Even without taking into account the Caspian Sea, they occupy 350,000 square meters. km, which is almost equal to the area of ​​present-day Germany. And each is interesting in its own way. We decided to build a review about the lakes of Russia in the same vein as the review, indicating only the very best, since it is simply impossible to list everything within the framework of this article.

The largest lakes in Russia

The giant water areas located inside the continents are, of course, a northern phenomenon. The first five water giants are located in countries such as Russia, the USA and Canada. It is here in the earth that natural deepenings of huge dimensions are located - traces of the initial deflection of the planet's surface between mountain formations. The largest of the Russian relict reservoirs was described by us first. Only then do his nine "brothers" - in order of decreasing size.

Caspian (371,000.00 sq. km.)

Russian lakes like this one would be more correct to call seas. They have properties that satisfy two categories at once. However, there are no more such incomprehensible "drops" of the world ocean on Earth ... The largest diameter of the Caspian basin (in a straight line) is 1200 kilometers. That is, even on a plane from the suburb of Kazakh Atyrau to the pier somewhere in the Iranian Chalus, we would fly as much as 1.5 hours. The length of the coastline is as much as 7000 kilometers! Another sign that puts this "lake" in the group of seas is a bed. It is formed by oceanic-type crust. The average depth of the Caspian is only 208 meters, the greatest is 1025.

It remains to be added that the etymology of the name of the object goes back to the ethnonym "Caspians", whom Herodotus called "herders related to the Medes". has long been divided by 5 countries. At the moment, it is believed that the water itself is the common property of Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran and Azerbaijan.

Baikal (31500.00 sq. km.)

He took the position number 2, which is not surprising. The distance from the mouth of the Kichera River to the village of Slyudyanka is 612 kilometers. In fact, this diameter is approximately equal to the road from the Moscow Ring Road to Belgorod. Under the water here you can go to 744-1642 meters. The Baikal shores are the territories of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia. The water area is considered the largest reservoir of clean water. Around grow and live thousands of species of endemic flora and fauna. This is the most "ecological" patch of the country. "Byi Gal" is translated from the Buryat "mighty water". Indeed, its volume is 23,615.39 cubic kilometers! Why? In fact, not only the above-ground dimensions of the reservoir are amazing, but also its depth. This, by the way, will be discussed in one of the lower paragraphs.

Ladoga (17703.00 sq. km.)

In its greatest length (from the village of Putilovo to the far suburbs of the Kiryavalahti farm) is 219 kilometers, which makes it worthy of third place. In size and shape, it is a bit like an upside down… Slovenia. The maximum dive into the blue expanse is realistic at 230 meters, while the average dive will be 47 meters. Transparency is also striking - visibility is almost 4 meters. Our Slovene ancestors (one of the founders of Novgorod) called the lake the word "Nevo", which in one of the Finnish dialects meant "quagmire". There are really a lot of swamps around this tract. Later, the hydronym "Ladoga" appeared. It is connected with the river, which accumulates the water runoff of the nearest regions of the Russian Federation and Finland.

Onega (9616.00 sq. km.)

The largest lakes in Russia often lie close to each other. - a neighbor of Ladoga, described above. Although the reservoir is on the 4th line in size, such countries as Liechtenstein and Andorra would fit on its surface. The average depth is 30 meters, but in some places it is possible to go under water and 127 meters. It is located on the border of the Republic of Karelia, the Vologda and Leningrad regions. Studying the folklore of the Russian North, one can understand that this source of moisture is the repository of the deity Onego (“Sandy Plain”).

Taimyr (4560.00 sq. km.)

And now it is worth moving to the north of Siberia - to the Taimyr Peninsula. It becomes clear that its center is occupied by a large "blot", which has the same name. - already a polar hydrological formation, deepened by an average of 2.8 meters. It is equal in length to Liechtenstein. Its waters and shores are the territory of the reserve of the same name, the purpose of which is to protect the relic fauna of the tundra and arctic fish. By the way, “Taimura” is translated from one of the local languages ​​as “rich in fish”, and it comes from the Lower Taimyr River.

In August the water temperature rises to +8°C. It is still cold for swimming, but fishing will be more comfortable for you. Goby (Siberian sculpin), grayling, vendace, burbot and omul divine in taste are waiting in the water. Some of this ichthyofauna is recorded in the Red Book. So be careful. The shores of the "Rich in Fish" in the warm seasons are dotted with wild geese and ducks, swans, local species of buzzards, as well as formidable peregrine falcons.

Khanka (4190.00 sq. km.)

On the map lies at the turn of the Russian Primorsky Territory and the Chinese province of Heilongjiang. Even on its small (compared to previous bowls) surface, Luxembourg would fit perfectly. On average, Khanka goes 4.5 meters deep. This is the largest freshwater spring in the Far East, and a very ancient one at that. From the Manchu language, the idiom "Khankai" is translated as "Lake of Prosperity". One romantic legend is connected with this hydronym, concerning the blue crystal of the Sea King. He was not counted in the treasury and went to look for "the people." But the people were not aware. The jewel was taken away by a young prankster dragon, who was later exiled to the described lake. Then he showed his head out of the water, frightening the Jurchens (after all, it was the ancestors of the Udege who invented the myth).

Chudsko-Pskovskoe (3555.00 sq. km.)

The amazing lakes of Russia grow together due to natural reasons. So it happened with Lake Peipus and Pskov. On their ice, the combined forces of the Novgorod Land beat and drowned the heavily armed cavalry of several knightly orders that captured the Baltic states in the 12th-13th centuries. The longest cruise on these waters is equal to overcoming 135 kilometers. The water areas connected by a channel occupy the central third of the border between the Pskov region and Estonia. One is named after the Russian city, and the other is “Chuds” (as the Novgorodians called all the contact Finno-Baltic ethnic groups that were in constant contact with them).

Ubsu-Nur (3350.00 sq. km.)

One bank of the desired water body belongs to Russia (the Republic of Tyva), the other - to the Mongolian People's Republic. In the largest diameter, the tract is 81 kilometers. It can drown the island of Mauritius. Although the water only reaches the level of 10 meters (the tops of some houses would stick out). The bowl is located at the bottom of the basin of the same name, recognized as the most unusual reserve in Russia. After all, here all the landscapes of the temperate zone of our planet are replaced at once. Check it out yourself. Here Russia, for example, got a hilly steppe.

Uvs-Nur (as the local Khotons call the lake) is famous for the unique color of the water surface. This shade is not found anywhere else in the world. Strangely, the name of the reservoir from the Mongolian language is not translated in any way. On the other hand, many runic inscriptions of the Xiongnu people, whose nomadic pastures passed here, moving to Europe, were left on the rocks. Perhaps the hydronym migrated from them.

White (1290.00 sq. km.)

This reservoir, located on the 9th position, is equal in size to Bahrain or Micronesia ... From the language of the Veps "vauged yarv" - "White Lake". Therefore, the first Slavic population of the Vologda region christened the water so. Its average depth is 4 meters, the largest is 20. Today, Beloye is a reach of the Sheksna reservoir. The area between the artificial sea and the lake is a real storehouse of unsolved mysteries. Let's take, for example, the Ferapontov monastery with a "miraculous" source. Hundreds of people swear that he healed them of an incurable disease...

Or where did the name Maura come from near the nearby mountain? There are no such lexemes in local languages. Some suggest that from the Argo Vyatichi this is the Black Mountain. It remains only to find out how the Vyatichi themselves could get here. After all, the Vologda region was mastered from 2 sides by the Krivichi, Slovenes and the ancestors of the Veps. There are many myths associated with elevation. Rurik sent his family to reign in the hilly area, and the locals did not really want to obey his patriarch, the “robber” Sineus. According to some hypotheses, the Vikings controlled the entrusted region from the prevailing height. Belozersk itself raises questions (in the old days - Beloozero). Archaeologists have proved that the settlement corresponding to it appeared only 100 years after the events described in the Tale of Bygone Years. Where, in fact, was the insatiable squad of Sineus stationed?

Chany (1990.00 sq. km.)

Chany would most likely have been included in the list of "Amazing Lakes of Russia". This is a constantly changing body of water located in the Novosibirsk region. In the best of times, its largest diameter reaches 18 kilometers (just the largest length of the state of San Marino, surrounded by Italy). In fact, we are talking about a whole system of stretches covered with forests. They are intricately intertwined. The water body is recognized as the largest in the list of salt lakes in our country. The term "Vats" is borrowed from the vocabulary of Russian Old Believers, who call large bowls vats.

The most famous lake in Russia

The already mentioned Baikal also appears in Runet as the most famous lake in Russia. Several popular aggregators made it this way: the Russian Seven portal, the Travelers Club magazine, the Irkutsk Baikal Travel travel operator, and, of course, many environmental communities, from Green Peace to the All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation. The fact is that the cup constantly has to be saved from all sorts of businessmen, they are trying to spoil the patrimony of the spirit of Burkhan with their dirty production ... Another fact is also important: “Mighty water” in the 20th century. It immediately became known as the main storage of fresh water, the longest (after the Caspian Sea) closed natural reservoir and the deepest lake on the planet.

The most beautiful lake in Russia

Dozens of sewage and endorheic basins competed for the title of "the most beautiful lake in Russia". However, the victory (in the opinion of the majority of those who voted) was won by Shaitan (in the southern quarter of the Kirov region, the Bushkovsky Forest reserve even formed around him). The fact is that “islands” drift along the lake surface of a 220-meter lake. They are made up of shrubs and even small trees of extraordinary beauty. And all this against the backdrop of floating pink lotus flowers! From vandals, the beauty is hidden by swamps. Only one safe road leads here. This is the exit from the highway Indygoyka - Bolshie Gary.

For some reason, the river closest to the lake is called Sobaka (apparently, it “protects” the water pearl of the reserve). The name of the lake itself from the Tatar means "devil". The fact is that it sometimes gushes, forcing local fishermen to be baptized. This is a release of artesian water. It is worth paying attention to the fact that other water columns reach a height of 10, and a width of 1.5 meters! In view of such processes, the water level rises, and it captures everything that is from the banks. This is how the famous islands are formed. Many of them are occupied by 4 adults. One more thing. Although the size of the water tract is small, its depth is 12 meters.

The northernmost lake in Russia

Taimyr, described in one of the upper chapters, is the northernmost lake in Russia, and, according to many geographers, the whole world. After all, it passes through 81 degrees north latitude. To the north only lakes - "floes". In winter, the thickness of the frozen water reaches 3 meters.

The southernmost lake in Russia

The southernmost lake in Russia is easy to determine by looking at the map. The Republic of Dagestan occupies the lowest parallels. One of its river valleys (Ulluchai) wedged into the foothills of the Dividing Range of the Caucasus mountain system. It is here that we will find Papas (Aji) - 800 hectares that are fed with water. Due to the barbaric attitude of people, today the water source is only 80 percent full. In length, the lake basin stretches for 5 kilometers (from the banks of the Artazen River to the agricultural canal). But the water column here is only 1.5 meters (some parts of the basin, alas, have dried up). Flamingos and several varieties of rare birds live here. "Aji" from the Kumyk language is translated as "bitterness".

The westernmost lake in Russia

By definition, the westernmost lake in Russia should be in the Kaliningrad region. This is true. The Sinyavinsky seaside estuary lies on the most protruding (to the Gulf of Gdansk, and practically to Poland) cape of this region. Its largest value is 2 kilometers (waterway from the village of Sinyavino to the working settlement of Yantarny). You can dive here for 30 m. The place belongs to the Zelenograd urban district. Once at the bottom of this pit, amber was mined by the inhabitants of Sinyavino. She was named after them.

The easternmost lake in Russia

Talking about the easternmost lake in Russia, we mention that it was born on Cape Dezhnev (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug) - the point of mainland Russia closest to the USA. His name is Koolen (in local languages ​​- Koolen, Koglu). To the east of it there is only a lagoon, on which the village of Uelen stands (but the lagoon is not considered to be a lake, it is a backwater). The name "Coolen" is translated as "failure". The length of this “failure” is 15 kilometers, the area is 18.5 “squares”, and the lowest point of the bottom is lowered by 100 meters (which, by the way, speaks of its antiquity). The only attraction of this reservoir is the mountain on its shore (almost 940-meter peak). The fact is that no one will pronounce its name except the Chukchi. Why? It sounds like "Yttyvyyt".

The deepest lake in Russia

And again we have to talk about Baikal, since it is also the deepest lake in Russia. In this regard, its parameter reaches 1642 meters. The average water column is 744 meters. The most common water column is 920-1000 meters. The deepest place of the lake bottom is opposite about. Olkhon. So we are told by hydrologists who have studied the lake relief with the help of equipped submarines "Pisis" and "Mir". Ride on these devices, the researchers have identified and much more. Shallow areas occupy only a narrow strip near the coast. In other locations, a truly high-altitude "Atlantis" opens up to us - the deepest canyons (one of them is a kilometer long) and the tall peaks of the Academic Range. Simplified, the whole bottom consists of three deep depressions.

The smallest lake in Russia

There can be no difference between hydrologists here. The smallest lake in Russia is Manych-Gudilo, part of which dries up during the dry season. The average depth of a barely visible hydrological object is 60 centimeters. By the way, this elongated natural reservoir (its length is 53 kilometers, so the western end reaches the Rostov region) is a section of the border that separates Europe from Asia in the south, and in a more local version, the Republic of Kalmykia from the Stavropol Territory (already the Caucasus). This water area is fed by the Manych River. And on the banks of the reservoir there are most mustangs (their range is part of the Chernye Zemli GBZ). By the way, in spring the protected land is covered with special colors. You can safely get here only through the village of Yashalta.

The longest lake in Russia

If, nevertheless, the Caspian is recognized as a variety of reservoirs described here, then the longest lake in Russia is just it (we recall that it takes 1.5 hours to fly over it). If we take into account bowls that have only a lake status, then we will again talk about Baikal.

The smallest lake in Russia

Identifying the smallest lake in Russia is like finding a needle in a haystack. However, there were scientists who nevertheless achieved success in this field, naming Lake Kuokansuo (which is the northern continuation of the swamp of the same name). Its maximum diameter is 130 meters. That is, it can take the second position in the ranking of the smallest lakes in the world (“Olympus” is already occupied by the 125-meter Mexican water bowl Sarasota). Kuokansuo (“plowed around”) was found on the border of our Karelia and Finland (between the Karelian pond Tulos and the Finnish Ruunanjärvi). The reservoir is connected by a channel with Tuzhiozer, really, as it were, “plowed up” on all sides by forest clearings. And still the place is dense. Swamp…

The highest lake in Russia

Dzhulukul is the highest lake in Russia. After all, we are talking about an altitude of 2200 meters above sea level. Its address is Gorny Altai, the basin of the Shapshalsky Range (administratively, the location belongs to the Ulagansky district, it is part of the Altai Reserve). The most opposite coast is separated by 10 kilometers. The greatest depth of the water tract is 7 meters, the average is 4. It has a moraine-dammed origin. Cormorants and seagulls, rare for Altai, live around. The etymology of the name is connected with the Turkic words julu (“summer”) and kul (“lake”).

The freshest lake in Russia

As a result of recent measurements, it turned out that Vach-lake (Vyachezero) is the freshest lake in Russia (not to be confused with the largest reservoir of fresh water in Russia, which again is Baikal). It is located on the border of Karelia and the Leningrad region, in the middle reaches of the Svir. With an area of ​​17 square kilometers, it has managed to saline less than 0.5% of its water volume. The greatest length of this moisture source is 10 km. In the common language of the Slavs, the word "vyachezero" is translated as "eternal lake". The tribal union of the Slovenes (Ilmens) considered its waters to be the “gates” to the vyry (as the Slavs called paradise). Nobody settled here. Civilization bypassed the patch (there are still no villages on the lake shores, only the canvas of a rarely used railway passes nearby).

The most salty lake in Russia

Elton is the saltiest lake in Russia (and at the same time the lowest of all salty ones). Researchers know that the rate of mineral saturation at Elton is one and a half times higher than the number associated with the Dead Sea (200-500 g/l). This indoor pool lies in the neutral zone on the border with Kazakhstan (in the east of the Volgograd region). Its area is 152 sq. km, and the maximum length is 18 km. Depth - 1 m. The name of the salt marsh is tracing paper from the Kalmyk (in fact, Mongolian) expression "altyn nor" ("gold mine"). They go here along the railway road through Pallasovka or through Bykovo (only the road). We are talking about a fragment of the Eltonsky reserve, on the territory of which there is a balneological complex.

The hottest lake in Russia

Listing the amazing closed reservoirs, one cannot ignore the lake. Fumarolic. It is like a bath in which a good wizard has already heated the water for you! After all, its temperature is usually more than + 50 ° C. The hottest lake in Russia is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula. If there were fish in it, then tourists could come with camping pots and scoop ready-made fish soup seasoned with boiled seaweed from here. But no one lives in the boiling water itself. All the inhabitants huddle on the shore. These are, for the most part, northern birds and a brown bear.

Where is the heating from? It’s just that the reservoir is the caldera of an active volcano (the “gas burner” of the fire-breathing mountain Uzon itself heats up to + 125 ° C). The basin-vent has dimensions of 300 by 600 meters, and its depth is “infinite”. We add that it is an altitude with a position of 700 meters above sea level. All this "joy" is part of the Kronotsky State Reserve.

The coldest lake in Russia

Gates - this is the name of a closed hydrological formation on the territory of the Oymyakonsky ulus of Yakutia (the place where the permafrost belt begins, hence, apparently, the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe "hospitable" name). The water area is known as the coldest lake in Russia. The temperature regime of the water basin allows it to warm up only to ... -90°C. That is, we always observe it in a solid state. Rest here should not be on a boat or an air mattress, but on a boat, skates or harnessed sledges. And there is where to ride here, because the largest diameter of the Gate is 3.5 kilometers. Start from the duct of the lake. Upper, and finish at the canal of the lake. Stormy. And yes ... They saw a monster here.

The cleanest lake in Russia

Ecologists, after conducting a series of studies, trumpet that the cleanest lake in Russia is Lake Seliger. Its old name is Transparent. And it is quite justified. The bottom is viewed perfectly, almost without distortion. And this despite the fact that at some points it is separated from the observer by a 24-meter water column. The fact is that this water is not just pure (as in very fresh and deep Baikal), but CRYSTALLY clear. The literal explanation of the phenomenon is that the brainy guys checked every Seliger crystal “for lice”. The curved water surface, lost between the picturesque towns of Ostashkov and Valdai, was created exclusively by glacial rivers (there are 110 in total).

In fact, we are talking about a system of lakes with a total area of ​​260 square kilometers and a length of 48 kilometers. Over the centuries, 160 islands have formed here. The largest of them is Khachin. It has two boarding houses. And then there are forums. You can go crazy, but on Khachin itself there are also ... lakes (“details” of Seliger).

The most polluted lake in Russia

At the end of the review, it remains for us to do the most unpleasant work - to describe the most polluted lake in Russia. And here again it is necessary to give the floor to ecologists who shouted about the tragedy of one place. If the phenomenon of the Black Hole in deep space causes curiosity, then the lake of the same name - apprehension and disgust. Judge for yourself, the Black Hole is, in fact, a saturated solution of water and extremely toxic waste from the Soviet Plexiglas plant. This gloomy location is located on a segment of the "chemical belt" of Russia - between Nizhny Novgorod and Dzerzhinsk. In order to avoid accidents, it should have been covered long ago, and also surrounded by a fence. But the process has begun only recently. The stench from the "post-apocalyptic" reservoir is so strong that it interrupts the smell of fires! At the moment, the zone of Nizhny Novgorod pollution in the largest diameter is 800 m. Of course, no one dares to measure the depth. The Ministry of Emergency Situations surrounded everything with a fence with barbed wire and a stop poster on a high stick. "Hole" is buried.

Now our reader has got acquainted with something like "passports" for those lakes in Russia that could get into one or another rating. When thinking about where to go on vacation, you will remember this review and think about what is more important to you: size, cleanliness, geographical location, salinity level, altitude, and so on. Baikal, for example, made its way into 4 nominations of the “lake competition” at once. Everyone wants to come here. However, as you understand, there are other pleasantly surprising water areas in our regions.

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