20- Major Lakes of the World - General Knowledge for UPSC, APPSC, IBPS & Bank PO Exams

(World Geography Objective general knowledge, current general knowledge, online general knowledge quiz, Gk quiz questions, general knowledge quiz questions, Indian General Knowledge)

Definition of Lakes:
i. A depression on the surface of the earth, where water gets collected is known as a lake.
ii. Lakes of greater size are called the seas-Examples the Caspian, the Dead and the Aral seas.

Types of Lakes:

Glacier lakes and tectonic lakes are the most common types of lakes. There are several other things that can create lakes too.

Volcanic lakes are formed through many different kinds of volcanic activity. One such way is the natural formation of crater basins. Volcanic craters are formed when a volcano becomes extinct. These basins are distinguishable by their very clear waters and dams created by lava.

Landslides, such as a rock or mud slide can create a dam that blocks rivers or streams. The water that collects there forms a lake. These lakes often disappear in short periods of time, but there are instances in which the lake remains for a long time.

A solution lake is distinguished by significant deposits of limestone being found where bubbling water creates holes. This particular lake type is found a lot in the Florida area.

A plunge pool is a lake that is created by waterfalls eroding the ground at the bottom, creating deep pools for water to stand. This particular type of lake often occurs with glacier activity that has changes the course of the water flow. They are found, generally, in the northern parts of the United States, such as Washington and New York They are somewhat rare to find.

An oxbow lake is a lake that is created when rivers or streams happen to move across low parts of land. They also form when the river or stream has altered its course, and there is a previous channel left behind. An oxbow lake will often form within the previous channel. These are commonly found along the Mississippi River.

Beaver-made lakes are those lakes that are created when beavers build their dams. Water flows into the area and remains there as long as the dam stays in place and stays strong.

Human beings also create lakes by building dams. Lake Mead is a human made lake.

Rank	Name of the Lake	Area
1	Caspian Sea, Asia and Europe	3,71,000
2	Superior, North America	82,103
3	Victoria, Africa	69,484
4	Huron, North America	59,570
5	Michgan (U.S.A.), North America	57,760
6	Tanganyika, Africa	32,900
7	Baikal, Asia	31,499
8	Great Bear, North America	31,328
9	Nayasa (Malawi), Africa	28,749
10	Great Slave, North America	28,568
11	Aral Sea, Asia	28,500
12	Erie, North America	25,670
13	Winnipeg, North America	24,387
14	Ontario, North America	18,960
15	Ladoga, (Russia) Europe	17,703
16	Balkash, Asia	17,275
17	Chad, Africa	16,300
18	Maracaibo, South America	13,512
19	Onega, (Russia), Europe	9,700
20	Eyre, Australia	8,900

Caspian: A landlocked salt lake closed by Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran. It is the world's largest body of inland water with an area of 371,000 sq km. Its northern coast lies 28 m below sea level.

Superior: It is one of the five great lakes of North America. Superior is the largest fresh water lake in the world. Its area is 82,103 sq km. It is shared by Canada and USA.

Victoria: It is the largest lake in Africa and the third largest in the world. Its area is 69,484 sq km It is surrounded by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Huron: It is the second largest of the five Great Lakes of North America and the fourth largest in the world. Its area is 59,570 sq km.

Michigan: With an area of 57,760 sq km, it is the fifth largest lake in the world. It is linked to Lake Huron by the Strait of Mackinac.

Tanganyika: Surrounded by Tanzania, Zaire, Zambia and Burundi, Tanganyika is a lake of east Africa. Its total area is 32,900 sq km

Baikal: Lying in Siberia, it is the deepest lake in the world. Its area is 31,499 sq km. and depth 1743 m.

Great Bear: It is a great lake in the northwest territory of Canada. It is the largest lake in Canada. Its area is 31,328 sq km. It drains into the Mackenzie river via the Great Bear River.

Nayasa (Malawi Lake): Surrounded by Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique, it is one of the deepest lakes of south-east Africa. Its area is about 28,749 sq km.

Great Slave: It lies in the north-western territory of Canada. It is the deepest lake (615 m) in North America. Named after the slave Indians who used to live on its shores, it is the tenth largest lake in the world.

Aral Sea: Surrounded in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Aral sea is an important lake of Central Asia. Its area is about 28,500 sq km. The diversion for irrigation flowing into Aral Sea led to water level falling by 13 m and the area of the sea being reduced to two-thirds of its original size.

Erie : It is the fourth largest and shallowest of the five Great Lakes of North America. Its total area is about 25,670 sq km.

Winnipeg: Having an area of 24,387 sq km, it is the third largest lake in Canada.

Ontario: It is the smallest and most easterly of the Great Lakes of North America, lying on the border between Ontario in Canada and New York State.

Ladoga: It is a large lake in north-west Russia, north-east of St. Petersburg, near the border with Finland. It is the largest lake in Europe with an area of 17,703 sq km.

Balkash: It is shallow salt lake with no outlet in Kazakhstan. 

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