Top 15 Largest Lakes/Inland Seas Worldwide
This ranking lists the top 15 largest inland water bodies by surface area. Data is based on recognized geographical measurements, reflecting natural distribution and ecological significance.
Interesting Facts & Summary
As the undisputed king of inland bodies of water, the Caspian Sea holds a unique status. With an area of 371,000 square kilometers, it is more than four times larger than Lake Superior (the largest freshwater lake by area), and its total volume even exceeds that of all the world's freshwater lakes combined. Interestingly, despite being called a 'sea,' it is technically a saline lake with salinity levels about one-third that of the ocean. The Caspian acts like a temperamental giant; its water levels have fluctuated wildly throughout geological history, and it is currently facing significant ecological threats due to shrinking water levels caused by climate change.
| Rank | Name | Area (sq km) | Country/Region |
|---|---|---|---|
Caspian Sea | 371000 | Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan | |
Lake Superior | 82100 | USA, Canada | |
Lake Victoria | 68800 | Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya | |
| 4 | Lake Huron | 59600 | USA, Canada |
| 5 | Lake Michigan | 58000 | USA |
| 6 | Lake Tanganyika | 32900 | Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, Zambia |
| 7 | Lake Baikal | 31500 | Russia |
| 8 | Great Bear Lake | 31300 | Canada |
| 9 | Lake Malawi | 29600 | Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania |
| 10 | Great Slave Lake | 28600 | Canada |
| 11 | Lake Chad | 25000 | Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria |
| 12 | Lake Winnipeg | 24500 | Canada |
| 13 | Lake Ladoga | 17700 | Russia |
| 14 | Lake Balkhash | 16400 | Kazakhstan |
| 15 | Issyk-Kul Lake | 6236 | Kyrgyzstan |