How Deep is Your Love: Top 10 Deepest Lakes in the World

What is the difference between lakes and oceans? It is a question that is asked by both children and adults. A lake is basically a body of water that is inland and is not part of any ocean. Lakes are usually supplied by rivers and most of them time deeper than a pond, and in some cases even deeper than some parts in the ocean.

1. Lake Baikal, Russia

5,712 feet (1,741 meters)

This lake is found in Southern Siberia, in the city of Irkutsk. This lake is so big and deep that it has more water than all the Great Lakes combined in the United States. Some people believe that Lake Baikal is older than 25 million years.

2. Lake Tanganyika, Democratic Republic of Congo/Zambia/Burundi/Tanzania

4,825 feet (1,471 meters)

This lake is the second deepest in the world but the biggest lake in Central Africa. Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo possess the majority of the lake and the water flows all the way into the Atlantic Ocean.

3. Caspian Sea, Russia/Turkmenistan/Kazakhstan/Iran/Azerbaijan
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3,363 feet (1,025 meters)

It may be classified as the third deepest, but this body of water is the world’s largest lake. The reason it is referred to as Sea is because it contains salt, about 1.2% of salinity. The Caspian receives water from over 130 rivers.

4. Lake Malawi, Tanzania/Mozambique/Malawi

2,316 feet (706 meters)

It is the third largest lake in Africa and occupies about 1/5th of the country. Most of the time this lake is calm but when strong winds hit it becomes fearful. The golden sands lakeshores are a top spot for tourists.

5. Lake Issyk-kul, Kyrgyzstan

2,191 feet (668 meters)

This lake is surrounded by mountains and basks itself in about 2900 hours of sunshine every year. Even though it is in the mountains, it does not suffer from extreme climate conditions. Temperature during the day is about 25C but at night it can get below zero.

6. Great Slave, Canada

2,015 feet (614 meters)

This lake is found in the Northwest Territories of Canada and was explored around 1771 by Samuel Hearne. In 1978 the lake was hit by a Soviet Satellite. For about eight months a year, this lake is frozen and semis are able to pass over it.

7. Lake Matano, Indonesia

1,936 feet (590 meters)

Around lake Matano one can find the world’s biggest nickel mine. It is one of the fewest lakes that has crystal clear water and serves as a home to many fish, animals and plants.

8. Lake Crater, USA

1,932 feet (589 meters)

Found in Oregon, this lake is the eighth deepest lake in the world. Usually the lake is supplied by snow as there are no other sources to it. It is also probably one of the most beautiful lakes with pure blue water, cliffs and even a volcano.

9. Lake Toba, Indonesia

1,736 feet (529 meters)

This is not just a lake, but also a volcano. It can be found on the island of Sumatra. The volcano found here was one of the most powerful ones and its eruption is considered to be the biggest in millions of years. Scientists even believe that it may have eradicated most of the world’s population due to extreme climate changing events.

10. Lake Hornindalsvatnet, Norway

1,686 feet (514 meters)

This lake is the final one on the list. It is located in Sogn og Fjordane. Its primary outflow is Eidselva and it measures about 22km in length and 4km in width. Every July a marathon is hosted at this lake, where runners have to run around it while admiring its beauty.