What Are the Biggest Lakes in the World by Volume? (List With Pics)

According to Britannica, there are over 304 million lakes on Earth, but only a few hold the title of the largest lakes in the world. The sheer size of these marvelous wonders will leave you baffled.

In this guide, I will go over the biggest lakes in the world by volume. Keep reading until the end, as I will also answer some frequently asked questions in regard to this topic. Let’s get started!

Understanding Lakes

Biggest Lakes in the World

A lake is a body of water in the Earth’s landscape typically formed by geological and hydrological processes. These may include the melting of the glaciers, volcanic activity, and the flow of the rivers.

While there are many lakes across the world, they vary in size, surface area, temperature, and features. Some contain freshwater, while others are saline water bodies. They can be natural or manmade and can be found above and below sea level.

The Dead Sea, for example, is a salt lake that borders Jordan and Israel. It is located below sea level, making its shores the lowest land-based elevation on Earth.

Now that you know the definition of lakes, it’s time to answer the question: What is the largest lake in the world?

Exploring the Top Five Biggest Lakes in the World by Volume

If you’re curious about “What’s the biggest lake in the world,” the answer to this question is not so simple. This is because the Earth’s landscape is constantly changing.

The world’s largest lakes are shrinking due to climatic and anthropogenic reasons. For example, the sand dunes of the Aralkum Desert used to be the Aral Sea, which at one time was the largest lake in the world.

However, since it started receding in the 1960s, it’s almost dried up. This has led to many other lakes fighting for the top spot. Our actions and commitment to reversing the damage may affect the ranking of the biggest lakes in the next 25 years.

From Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake, to Lake Huron, Victoria, and more, here are the top five largest lakes in the world:

1. Caspian Sea: The Biggest Lake in the World!

worlds biggest lake

Don’t be fooled by the name, as the Caspian Sea is often regarded as the largest lake in the world. It’s almost the same size as Japan. Scientists believe that 48 billion barrels of oil lie hidden under this body of water.

For years, the scientific community referred to this waterbody as an endorheic basin, which is a drainage basin that normally retains water. However, recent studies show that the Caspian Sea was contiguous with several different oceans via the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Sea of Azov over 11 million years ago.

Here are some fun facts about this saltwater lake:

  • The Caspian Sea has a total surface area of 143,244 square miles.
  • It has a maximum depth of 1,025 meters.
  • Since the Caspian Sea is the world’s largest lake, five countries surround this body of water, including Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.

2. Lake Superior

lake superior

While the Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake and the world’s second-largest by volume. It is shared by Canada and the United States, flowing through Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Around 1.2 billion years ago, when the North American Mid-Continent Rift happened, the seismic activity failed to produce an oceanic basin, resulting in this great lake. It is 160 miles wide and 350 miles long, spanning a total surface area of 31,700 square miles.

The Great Lakes of North America, which includes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, contain over 5,400 cubic miles of water. Lake Superior accounts for more than 50% (2,900 cubic miles) of that.

3. Lake Victoria

worlds biggest lakes

Considered the largest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria has a total surface area of 26,590 square miles. The locals referred to this body of water as Lake Nyanza until 1858, when a British explorer discovered it and decided to name it in honor of Queen Victoria.

While most of Lake Victoria is in Uganda and Tanzania, some parts of it lie in Kenya and Rwanda. This unique water body contains more than 3,000 islands, several archipelagos, and countless reefs.

A fun fact about Lake Victoria is that it is one of the primary sources of the Nile River in northeastern Africa. While it consists of 80% rainwater, the rest comes from the small rivers flowing into this lake.

4. Lake Huron

biggest lakes by volume

Lake Huron is the fourth largest lake in the world, with a total surface area of 23,007 square miles. It is home to Manitoulin Island, the largest lake island across all seven continents. You’d be baffled to hear that this island has over 100 lakes.

First discovered by Europeans in the 17th century, this body of water was initially named “La Mer Douce,” but later changed. It is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and is shared by Canada and the United States.

In 1913, the Great Lakes Storm hit all of the five water bodies, but it greatly impacted Lake Huron. The aftermath resulted in 10 sunken ships and 235 dead seamen.

5. Lake Michigan

largest lake by volume

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and it is the second largest of the Great Lakes in terms of volume. It is the only one located inside the United States, while the others also flow into Canada.

Surprisingly, the basin of Lake Michigan connects with that of Lake Huron at the Straits of Mackinac. Technically, both are the same body of water but are considered separate lakes.

Lake Michigan has a total surface area of 22,404 square miles and a depth of 923 feet. In the late 17th century, French explorers developed small ports and trading communities alongside this body of water.

By the 19th century, Lake Michigan played a crucial role in the development of Chicago, as grains from the state were shipped over this waterbody to different parts of the country.

Fun fact: Lake Michigan’s shoreline is home to the largest freshwater sand dunes, with the tallest (Sleeping Bear Dune) standing at about 450 feet above the shore.

Other Notable Great Lakes in the World

Besides the top five biggest lakes mentioned above, there are many others that deserve just as much recognition, if not more. These include the following:

  • Tanganyika
  • Lake Baikal
  • Great Bear Lake
  • Malawi
  • Great Slave Lake

FAQs

What Is the Biggest Lake in the World?

While there are many magnificent lakes in the world, the Caspian Sea snags the top spot due to its enormous surface area and the number of countries it touches.

Which Lake Contains the Most Fresh Water?

Located in Russia, Lake Baikal contains around 20% of the world’s fresh surface water. It is unique to the other lakes, as it is the world’s oldest and coldest waterbody, with 80% of its animal species limited to that geographic region.

Which Lake Is the Deepest Lake in the World?

While the Caspian Sea, Tanganyika, and Lake Vostok are considerably deep, Lake Baikal holds the title of the deepest freshwater lake in the world, with its lowest point touching 1,620 meters.

Scientists estimate that the formation of Lake Baikal may have occurred 20 million to 25 million years ago.

Which Lake Is the Second-largest Freshwater Lake in the World?

Although many people believe that Lake Superior is the second-largest freshwater lake, it’s actually the second-largest lake across the seven continents.

Lake Victoria holds the title of the world’s second-largest freshwater lake.

Which Lake Is the Fourth-largest Freshwater Lake?

Lake Michigan is considered to be the fifth largest lake in the world. Since the Caspian Sea contains saltwater, Lake Michigan is also the fourth largest freshwater lake.

Final Thoughts on the Biggest Lakes in the World by Volume

During my adventures across the world, I’ve visited many different lakes, but I have yet to come across any that match the sheer size and volume of those mentioned in this guide.

While the top five largest lakes in the world may contain a lot of water today, it’s important to remember that climate change and human activity can alter this list or rankings within a single generation.

If you’re an avid traveler who would like to visit any of these places, I highly recommend planning your trip soon so you can witness these water bodies in all their glory.

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About 

Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.

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