Everyone knows that the United States has five Great Lakes (Erie, Ontario, Huron, Michigan, and Superior). But did you know that Canada has six Great Lakes? And did you know there are numerous other lakes around the world that would qualify as great if they were in the U.S.? Here are 10 of them to look out for during your travels.
Great Lake #1: Lake Victoria
Africa’s Lake Victoria is the world’s largest tropical lake, covering more than 26,000 square miles. The lake is home to more than 3,000 species of fish, making it a popular spot for fishing. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, boating, and bird watching.
Great Lake #2: Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes by surface area, and it’s also the deepest. It’s located between the Canadian province of Ontario to the north and the U.S. states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan to the south. The lake gets its name from the French word supérieur, meaning upper.
This large freshwater lake is home to many different kinds of fish, including sturgeon, walleye, pike, bass, and trout. The shores of Lake Superior are also a popular destination for birdwatching, as many different species of birds migrate through the area.
Great Lake #3: Sea of Galilee (Israel)
The fourth largest freshwater lake in the world is the Sea of Galilee in Israel. It’s also the lowest freshwater lake on Earth, sitting more than 200 feet below sea level. The Sea of Galilee is about 13 miles long and 8 miles wide, and its freshwater comes from the Jordan River. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing in the Sea of Galilee.
Great Lake #4: Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third-largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. To the east, its basin is conjoined with that of Lake Huron through the narrow Straits of Mackinac, giving it the same water surface elevation as its easterly counterpart; the two are technically a single lake. The lake is shared, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Portions of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana lie on peninsula that juts into the lake.
Great Lake #5: Malawi
Malawi is often called the Calendar Lake because it is approximately 365 miles long and 52 miles wide. It is also one of the deepest lakes in the world, with depths reaching over 700 feet in some places. Malawi is home to more than 1,000 species of fish, making it a popular destination for both recreational and commercial fishing. The lake is also a popular spot for swimming, boating, and sailing.
Great Lake #6: Zayandeh Rud River (Iran)
The Zayandeh Rud River is one of the great lakes of the world. It is located in Iran and is about 500 miles long. The river is an important source of water for the country and provides irrigation for crops. The river also supports a large number of fish, which are a major source of food for the people of Iran.
Great Lake #7: Caspian Sea (Asia)
The Caspian Sea is bordered by five countries: Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan. It is the largest inland body of water in the world with a surface area of 143,200 square miles. The Caspian Sea is home to sturgeon, which are harvested for their caviar. The Caspian Sea has a unique ecosystem that is under threat from pollution and overfishing.
Great Lake #8 – Tanganyika (Africa)
Located in East Africa, Tanganyika is the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake. The lake is home to more than 1,000 species of fish, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. In addition to its unique fish population, Tanganyika is also home to hippos, crocodiles, and flamingos. The lake is so large that it has its own waves and weather patterns.
Great Lake #9 – Nubra Valley Lakes (India/China)
The Nubra Valley is a high-altitude cold desert in the Ladakh region of India. It is home to some of the world’s most spectacular lakes, which are known as the Nubra Valley Lakes. These lakes are located at an altitude of over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) and are fed by glacial meltwater. The Nubra Valley Lakes is truly a sight to behold and are definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself in the area.
Great Lake #10: Manicouagan Reservoir (Canada)
The Manicouagan Reservoir, 1,942 km2, elevation 360 m, is located in southeastern Quebec, about 140 km from the Labrador border. The second-largest natural lake in Quebec, it was created by meteorite millions of years ago. The name “Manicouagan” is possible of Innu origin and might mean “where there is bark” (for canoe making). The lake appears on Jonathan Carver’s map of Quebec (1776) as Lake Asturagamicook and is shown to be drained by the Manicouagan or Black River.
