Our Earth has plenty of water (about 1.386 × 10¹⁸ cubic meters). But only 2.5% is potable, out of which the surface freshwater easily accessible to all life forms is even skimpier (~0.008%), carried by rivers and lakes.
Freshwater lakes are among the most convenient sources of drinking water available worldwide.
This list contains the seven world’s largest freshwater lakes, ranked by their surface area.
Here are the world's 7 largest freshwater lakes by surface area:
World map showing 7 largest freshwater lakes by surface area on Earth
| Rank | Name | Area in sq miles / km² | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Superior | 31,699 / 82,100 | US, Canada |
| 2 | Lake Victoria | 26,564 / 68,800 | Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya |
| 3 | Lake Huron | 23,012 / 59,600 | US, Canada |
| 4 | Lake Michigan | 22,317 / 57,800 | US |
| 5 | Tanganyika | 12,703 / 32,900 | Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Zambia |
| 6 | Lake Baikal | 12,162 / 31,500 | Russia |
| 7 | Great Bear Lake | 12,096 / 31,328 | Canada |
1. Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake on Earth. Situated in North America, Lake Superior stretches over a total surface area of 31,699 square miles (82,100 km²). It is bordered by the US (to the west and south) and Canada (to the north and east).
- Major Tributaries: Nipigon, St. Louis, Pigeon, Kaministikwia, Pic, White, Michipicoten
- Total Volume: 2,903 cubic miles (12,100 km³)
- Maximum Depth: 1,332 feet (406 meters)
- Total Length: 2,725 miles (4,385 km)
2. Lake Victoria
With a total surface area of 26,564 square miles (68,800 km²), Lake Victoria is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. It is also the largest lake on the African continent, sharing its shoreline with Tanzania (51%), Uganda (43%), and Kenya (~6%).
- Major Tributaries: Kagera, Nzoia, Yala, Sondu, Awsch Kaboun
- Total Volume: 662 cubic miles (2,760 km³)
- Maximum Depth: 262-296 feet (80-90 meters)
- Total Length: 2,137 miles (3,440 km)
3. Lake Huron
Lake Huron is the world’s third-largest freshwater lake, with a total surface area of 23,012 square miles (59,600 km²). Lake Huron is situated east of Lake Michigan, to which it is connected through the Strait of Mackinac. The lake shares its shoreline with Michigan (USA) and Ontario (Canada).
- Major Tributaries: St. Mary’s River, Saginaw River, Au Sable River
- Total Volume: 849 cubic miles (3,540 km³)
- Maximum Depth: 751 feet (229 meters)
- Total Length: 3,826 miles (6157 km)
4. Lake Michigan
Lake Huron’s neighboring Great Lake, Lake Michigan, has a surface area of 22,317 square miles (57,800 km²), making it the 4th largest freshwater lake in the world. It is also the only one of the Great Lakes of North America that lies entirely within the US.
- Major Tributaries: The Grand River, Fox-Wolf River, Kalamazoo River
- Total Volume: 1,180 cubic miles (4,920 km³)
- Maximum Depth: 925 feet (282 meters)
- Total Length: 1,636 miles (2633 km)
5. Tanganyika
Situated on the African continent, Lake Tanganyika ranks as the world’s fifth-largest freshwater lake by surface area. Covering about 12,703 square miles (32,900 km²), the lake is shared by four countries - Tanzania to the east, Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Burundi to the northeast, and Zambia to the south- sharing 41%, 45%, 8%, and 6% of the lake’s shoreline, respectively.
- Major Tributaries: Rusizi, Malagarasi, Lugufu
- Total Volume: 4,528 cubic miles (18,880 km³)
- Maximum Depth: 4,823 feet (1470 meters)
- Total Length: 1,136 miles (1828 km)
6. Lake Baikal
Known as the “Jewel of Siberia,” Lake Baikal’s surface area of 12,162 square miles (31,500 km²) makes it the world’s 6th largest freshwater lake. Situated in the southeastern Siberian territory of Russia, it is also the largest freshwater lake in Asia.
- Major Tributaries: Selenga, Verkhnaya Angara, Barguzin
- Total Volume: 5,521 cubic miles (23,013 km³)
- Maximum Depth: 5,370 feet (1637 meters)
- Total Length: 1,305 miles (2100 km)
7. Great Bear Lake
Positioned around 66°N latitude near the Arctic Circle, the Great Bear Lake is the world’s seventh-largest freshwater lake by surface area. Covering around 12,096 square miles (31,153 km²), it lies entirely within the northwestern Canadian territories.
- Major Tributaries: Dease, Sloan, Camsell, Johnny, Hoe River
- Total Volume: 550 cubic miles (2,292 km³)
- Maximum Depth: 1,355 feet (413 meters)
- Total Length: 1,426 miles (2,295 km)
