Is Lake Baikal the biggest in the world? What is so special about Lake Baikal?

Lake Baikal's age, depth, water quality, geological composition, biodiversity, and stunning natural beauty make it a truly exceptional and irreplaceable natural wonder.

Is Lake Baikal the biggest in the world?

No, Lake Baikal is not the biggest lake in the world. The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, with an area of approximately 386,400 square kilometers. However, it is a saltwater lake, not a freshwater lake. Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in terms of volume, containing about 23,013 cubic kilometers of water, which is approximately 20% of Earth's fresh surface water. However, in terms of surface area, it is not the largest lake in the world. That title goes to the Caspian Sea, which is considered the world's largest inland body of water by surface area.

What is so special about Lake Baikal?

Lake Baikal holds several distinctions that make it truly unique and special:

1. Oldest Freshwater Lake: Lake Baikal is the oldest existing freshwater lake on Earth, estimated to be between 20 million and 25 million years old. This makes it a geological marvel and a natural treasure.

2. Deepest Continental Body of Water: With a maximum depth of 5,315 feet (1,620 meters), Lake Baikal is the deepest continental body of water. Its incredible depth adds to its mystique and scientific significance.

3. Exceptional Water Quality: The lake remains exceptionally clean due to the feeding of its waters from glaciers and rivers, which filter and clean the water before it enters the lake. Additionally, the presence of a unique crustaceous zooplankton, the Baikal epischura or sea flea, contributes to maintaining the lake's pristine water quality.

4. Oligotrophic Nature: Lake Baikal is classified as an oligotrophic lake, meaning it has low nutrient content, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, and a relatively small amount of algae and phytoplankton. This oligotrophic nature contributes to the clarity and purity of its waters.

5. Double-Circulation Lake: Lake Baikal undergoes two major cycles within a year, making it a double-circulation lake. This unique characteristic ensures that the oxygen content and water quality remain relatively consistent throughout the lake's depths.

6. Unique Geological and Chemical Composition: The lake's bottom features crystalline rock mass that is resistant to dissolution, contributing to the lake's pristine water quality. The chemical composition of the lake is influenced by various factors such as atmospheric dustfall and surface runoff, resulting in a uniform chemical composition and remarkable water transparency.

7. Breathtaking Scenery and Biodiversity: Lake Baikal is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, including vast virgin forests, mountains, grasslands, deep canyons, unique rocks, and mysterious ice caves. Its crystal-clear waters support a rich biodiversity, with over 2,000 species of animals and plants, 80% of which are unique to the lake.

8. Cultural and Environmental Significance: Lake Baikal holds immense cultural and environmental significance, earning it the titles of the "Blue Eye of Siberia" and the "Tears of Siberia." In recognition of its outstanding universal value, UNESCO included Lake Baikal in the World Heritage List as a natural heritage site in 1996.