Largest Lakes on Earth by Surface Area

About This Dataset

The chart displays the largest lakes on Earth by surface area, highlighting the vastness of these bodies of water. The Caspian Sea leads the list with an impressive surface area of 371,000 km², followed by Lake Superior at 82,100 km² and Lake Victoria at 68,870 km². These lakes are not only significant in size but also play crucial roles in their respective ecosystems and local economies.

✨ AI Insight

The disparity in surface area among the largest lakes is striking, with the Caspian Sea dwarfing its closest competitor, Lake Superior, by nearly four and a half times. This immense size of the Caspian Sea, which is technically a saltwater lake, raises questions about its geological history and the factors contributing to its unique characteristics. Meanwhile, the other lakes, such as Lake Victoria and Lake Huron, while significantly smaller, are vital freshwater sources for millions of people. The trend suggests a diverse range of lake types, from saline to freshwater, indicating various ecological environments and the importance of conservation efforts to protect these vital resources.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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Caspian Sea leads with 371,000 in All Time.

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Average value in All Time: 91,865 · median: 58,700.

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Gap in All Time: Caspian Sea is 11.9× larger than Great Bear Lake.

Largest Lakes on Earth by Surface Area

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Area

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Data Insights Below

Data Insights

Numbers, trends & sources behind this chart

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Data Points

8 categories · 1 year

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Top Value

371,000

Caspian Sea

Surface Area (km2) · All Time

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Metrics

Surface Area (km2)

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Period

All Time

Single year snapshot

Rankings & Full Data

8 records · Surface Area (km2) · ranked by All Time

✓ 8 sourced

#	Category	All Time
🥇	Caspian Sea	371,000
🥈	Lake Superior	82,100
🥉	Lake Victoria	68,870
4	Lake Huron	59,600
5	Lake Michigan	57,800
6	Lake Tanganyika	32,900
7	Lake Baikal	31,500
8	Great Bear Lake	31,153