Which lake water is considered the cleanest? Where is the cleanest lake in the world? The deepest and cleanest lake in the world - Baikal

There are not many places left on our planet where you can find truly clean sources of water. We present to your attention a selection of 10 places with the cleanest and most transparent water on our planet.

The Maldives is a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. The water here is so clear that while in a boat, you can see your shadow at the bottom of the sea.

The water in this red stone cave is surprisingly clear. The only thing that distorts the view of the bottom is the slight ripples caused by the nearby waterfall.

There is a unique lake in the Jiuzhaigou Valley in the northern Chinese province of Sichuan. It is famous for its bottom, covered with a carpet of ancient trees that can be seen through the clear water.

Another popular place among tourists, you don’t even need to describe anything here, just look at the photo.

Crater Lake is located in Oregon. Scientists suggest it was formed as a result of an explosion ancient volcano about 7 thousand years ago.

Piccaninnie Ponds are a true nature reserve located in South Australia. You can dive into the purest water here only after receiving special permission.

By official version Lake Mashu is the most transparent lake in the world. The transparency of the water here reaches 41.6 meters.

This natural lake so perfect that one might think it was the work of man.

Peyto Lake got its attractive turquoise from a local glacier.

Besides its purity, Lake Baikal is known as the deepest lake in the world. In spring, the transparency of Baikal water is about 40 meters.

Water, which is of great importance for human life, is the main treasure of our planet. Nowadays, environmental problems of urban areas are becoming particularly relevant. As technological progress develops, water bodies become polluted, as a result of which the biogeochemical cycle of substances is disrupted, which negatively affects the self-regulation of natural systems.

Picturesque lakes, which are under state protection, always attract a large number of tourists from all over globe. It must be said that the rating of natural reservoirs with clear water often changes. In our article we will tell you in detail where the cleanest lake in the world is located.

Natural masterpiece of Russia

The pearl of Siberia of tectonic origin deservedly enjoys the fame of the main miraculous masterpiece of Russia. Ancient Baikal is considered the leader in the number of records set in various categories among the world's lakes. Hundreds of thousands of tourists and researchers go to the legendary reservoir every year to fully enjoy its amazing beauty.

Until recently, Baikal, the photo of which is amazing, was considered the cleanest lake in the world. In clear water containing a small percentage of suspended matter and impurities, you can see stones at a depth of up to forty meters. This clearness is explained by the activity of living organisms living in the lake, which are a natural filter.

True, not all scientists support this statement. Many people believe that numerous mountain streams rush into the cleanest lake in the world, literally washing away all the pollution.

Legendary lake

It is interesting that in the winter season, the same transparent ice forms on the world-famous natural reservoir. That is why tourists strive to get to the amazing riot of colors in summer time year and striking with its snow-white grandeur. The photos fully convey the unusual atmosphere of a mysterious place about which many legends have been written.

Researchers claim that water with a high concentration of oxygen can be used as distilled water. And in former times it was considered healing, and many diseases were treated with the weakly mineralized liquid.

New discovery by scientists

Recently, scientists made a real discovery, telling the whole world that the cleanest lake in the world is located in New Zealand. Swimming in the Blue Lake natural reservoir is strictly prohibited, and only scientists are given permission to dive into the water to conduct research and take unique photographs.

During laboratory tests it was found that the depth of visibility natural wonder on a good day it is about 80 meters, and in any place you can see the smallest details of the bottom in detail. The freshwater Blue Lake in New Zealand, formed over seven thousand years ago, is recognized as being as pure as distilled water. Even after the heaviest rains, the natural creation returns to its pristine purity.

This amazing transparency is due to pre-filtration through various rocks water coming from another lake, completely renewed within a day.

Wilderness in New Zealand

The indigenous people of New Zealand have long revered the purest lake in the world and perform mysterious rituals dedicated to spirits on it.

Surrounded by relict forests and high cliffs an untouched corner located in a nature conservation area delights any traveler. The stunning landscapes of the lake, which has recently received the name “God’s Bath,” remain in everyone’s memory for a long time.

Chinese miracle of nature

Chinese national park Jiuzhaigou boasts a huge collection natural resources. flowers - a shallow and mysterious miracle, considered the real pride of the reserve. It is not for nothing that it is called the most beautiful body of water in the world that changes its color.

At the bottom of the quiet landmark, long-fallen trees lie criss-cross, giving the beautiful lake a fairytale-like appearance. The dark trunks are perfectly visible to visitors, because the water in the lake is incredibly clean. When immersed in a never-drying water, you can clearly see what is happening at a distance of 40 meters.

Lake changing shades

Local residents say that the sacred pearl of the reserve, painted in several colors, resembles the fluffed tail of a peacock. The icy water of a beautiful turquoise hue changes its palette from time to time, becoming either piercing yellow, then dark green, or acquiring a rich blue color. The reasons for this unusual phenomenon were contained in large quantities minerals and terrestrial and aquatic plants - hydrophytes.

Matte water surface

The recently discovered one (Canada) is unlikely to take first place in the ranking of the cleanest natural reservoirs due to particles of tiny suspended matter dissolved in the water. However, one cannot fail to mention the amazingly unreal beauty of the attraction. This amazing masterpiece, reminiscent of a wolf's head with protruding ears in its bizarre outlines, is of glacial origin.

The bright blue has never been transparent due to the fine dust that geologists call glacial flour. The mineral-enriched mass gives the lake, located high in the mountains, an amazing color and unusual matte finish.

Human activity causes enormous harm to nature by polluting fresh water sources. Caring for the environment is the only measure that will allow us to pass on to future descendants the pristine beauty of clear lakes. Nature will respond with gratitude for your care, and our children and grandchildren will enjoy the stunning beauty of marvelous reservoirs.

Water of a mesmerizing azure color, with visibility of several tens of meters - some bodies of water on the planet are still distinguished by incredible environmental indicators. They miraculously managed to escape the harmful influence of civilization; for thousands and millions of years, the water in them remains crystal clear. Some of the cleanest lakes and rivers on the planet are located in incredibly inaccessible places; to see them, tourists need to overcome a difficult path. Others, on the contrary, have long been centers of tourist life, which does not prevent them from maintaining their unique environmental indicators. All the cleanest bodies of water on the planet are incredibly beautiful and certainly deserve the attention of the most sophisticated travelers.

Crater Lake, USA

In the USA, in the state of Oregon, there is an incredible beautiful lake Kreiter, it formed in a crater extinct volcano. This lake has become famous throughout the world unique water deep blue color, which is considered one of the purest in the world. According to scientists, this lake was formed more than 7.5 thousand years ago, its average depth is about 350 meters. The size of the lake is also quite impressive, its length is about 9.6 km and its width is about 8 km.

This lake is one of the deepest not only in the United States, but also in the territory North America. A few years ago around unique lake a national park was formed, on the territory of which today they conduct interesting excursions. The main event for travelers remains the climb to the crater of an extinct volcano; this is the only way to see the beautiful lake with your own eyes. In recent years, the amazing nature reserve has been visited annually by about 400,000 tourists from all over the world.

The crystal clear lake attracts not only curious travelers, but also environmentalists and researchers. Several years ago, a group of scientists conducted an interesting experiment here. The fact is that initially there were no species of fish in Lake Kreiter; environmentalists decided to introduce some species of trout and salmon here. Their experiment was a complete success; today the lake is inhabited by fish. Tourists are even allowed to fish here, subject to the only condition - they must use artificial bait.

Lake Zyuratkul, Russia

In Russia among Ural mountains There is an amazing lake Zyuratkul, it is located at an altitude of 724 meters above sea level and is the highest mountain lake in the Urals. The maximum depth of this lake is relatively small and is about 12 meters, and the area of the reservoir is 13.5 square meters. km. Today, the amazing lake is considered one of the cleanest in the world, despite the fact that the water in it is by no means transparent. It has a cloudy tea color, which is explained by the fact that many streams flowing into the lake originate in swamps.

The area near the lake is famous not only for its natural beauty, but also for its historical sites. During the study, scientists discovered several important archaeological sites, where they raised tools primitive people and a giant geoglyph was found. For local residents Lake Zyuratkul has been a sacred landmark for hundreds of years; many things are associated with it interesting legends and believe.

In the forests located along the shores of the lake, hundreds of years ago the Old Believers performed their rituals; while walking through them, today you can see unusual monuments carved from wood. Excellent conditions for recreation have been created on the territory of the Zyuratkul National Park. There are several equipped camping areas, so during the warm season travelers can stay in these scenic spots oh for a few days. There are hundreds of different excursions here, during which you can see the most significant natural attractions, as well as unique historical areas.

Piccaninny Ponds, Australia

In Australia, on the territory of the Piccaninny Nature Reserve, there is a system of ponds of the same name, which have recently been considered a favorite vacation spot for divers. There are three ponds in the system, all of them with crystal clear water. However, each of these ponds has its own unique characteristics. The “First Pond” is the smallest, its depth is only 10 meters. The “Abyss” pond is much deeper; its maximum depth is 100 meters. The water in this pond is crystal clear and visibility can reach 40 meters.

The Cathedral is considered the most unusual and interesting of the three ponds; its depth is 35 meters. This pond was formed in a grotto of limestone formation and is the most popular among divers. The system of ponds is located in a special swampy area, which is notable not only for its reservoirs, but also for its unique vegetation and fauna. This marshy area is home to several rare species of birds, the observation of which attracts not only ornithologists, but also tourists.

Piccaninny Park has many hiking trails for tourists, as well as several excellent observation platforms, from which you can admire the beautiful ponds and their surrounding landscapes. Piccaninny National Park was established in 1969 and covers an area of about 8.6 square kilometers. km. Since several years ago the ponds were opened to snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, today environmentalists monitor their cleanliness with particular care. Those who want to swim in these pristine ponds will need to comply with some formalities.

Lake Masyuko, Japan

In Japan, on the territory of the island of Hokkaido, there is another crystal clear lake - Masyuko. It is located in the Akan Nature Reserve, the lake is surrounded on all sides by incredibly beautiful mountain ranges covered with dense vegetation. This crystal clear lake was formed in a caldera active volcano, the water in it has a shade of rich blue color due to its special mineral composition. Hundreds of tourists visit this beautiful lake every day as part of organized excursions around the national reserve.

While walking through the mountainous areas, they will have the opportunity to see many rare plants, animals and birds; it is most interesting to walk through these colorful places in the summer. However, visiting the reserve and winter period. On the territory of the national park there is another crater lake - Kussyaro, which also has its own unique features. The thing is that several hot springs flow into it, which prevent some areas of the lake from freezing even in winter. This feature attracts many heat-loving birds to the reservoir; whooper swans always spend the winter here.

The main feature of Lake Masyuko is that not a single stream flows into it, nor does it flow out. Researchers believe that it is precisely this feature of the lake that allows it to maintain its crystal purity for hundreds of years. It is also worth noting that on the territory of the reserve there are several interesting miniature villages, where you can get acquainted with the life of the local residents and buy interesting souvenirs.

Bowman Lake, USA

In the United States there is the amazing Lake Bowman, which is also famous for its clear water. It is located in Montana, on the territory national reserve Glacier. Despite the fact that the reserve is rich in a variety of natural attractions, it is still visited by very few tourists. This greatly contributes to the preservation of the unique ecosystem here. Lake Bowman is impressive in size: its length is about 11 km and its width is about 1.5 km.

This fabulously beautiful lake is considered one of the most transparent in the world; today tourists here are provided with all the conditions for organizing have an interesting holiday. They can not only walk around the reserve, but also spend several days in a tent camp. The lake is home to a lot of fish, which tourists are allowed to catch, and you can also swim in some areas of the lake.

Situated on the shore of the lake camping It works only in the warm season, it is well equipped. Toilets and even showers are equipped on its territory; every measure is taken here to preserve the ecology of these places. Today, the main guests of this “resort” are local residents, although last years Bowman Lake also attracts a fair number of foreign travelers. Getting to this wonderful lake is not difficult; there is a road through part of the reserve.

Lake Sheosar, Pakistan

In the northern part of Pakistan, in the territory of the Deosai National Park, there is a fabulously beautiful Lake Sheosar. It has gained popularity among tourists precisely because of its crystal clear water; for hundreds of years this lake has remained one of the cleanest bodies of water on the planet. The maximum depth of this lake is 40 meters, its length reaches 2.3 km, and its width is 1.8 km. This lake is located in a very inaccessible mountainous area, at an altitude of 4,142 meters above sea level.

Both car and walking excursions are organized for travelers. nature reserve. By jeep you can get to a remote mountainous area in just a few hours, while walking usually takes at least two days. For nature lovers, the best way to explore the reserve is on foot; there are several specially designated areas on its territory where you can set up a tent camp.

The best time The period for visiting the beautiful lake and walking around the reserve is from the beginning of June to the end of September, at which time the plateaus surrounding the lake are covered with carpets of bright colors. One of the main inhabitants of these picturesque places are butterflies; there are several dozen species of them. Already in November, the beautiful valley and lake are hidden under thick snow; it completely disappears only by May. During the cold season, excursions around the reserve are not conducted.

Peyto Lake, Canada

In Canada one of cleanest lakes It’s worth looking in Banff National Park, where the world-famous Peyto Lake is located. This lake is located in an incredibly beautiful foothill area, its area is about 5.3 square meters. km. The length of the lake stretches for 2.8 km, and its average width is only 800 meters. The first to discover this amazing lake was traveler Bill Peyto, and the lake got its name in honor of its discoverer.

One of the main features of the lake is its unusual shape; if you look at it from a bird's eye view, it resembles a huge wolf's head. The water in the lake has a rich turquoise hue, which also attracts attention. Every year the lake is replenished with water from nearby glaciers. Mountain streams bring with them tiny particles of minerals into the lake, which make the color of the water so unusual. Nowadays, several comfortable recreation centers are equipped for tourists on the shore of the lake; here you can have a wonderful rest for a few days and enjoy the natural splendor.

These places are especially attractive to fishing enthusiasts; the lake is home to rainbow trout, salmon, pike and other species of noble fish. Those who want to fish in this wonderful place should take care of purchasing a license in advance. Guests of the reserve can diversify their holiday with exciting walks; there are extensive forests along the shores of the lake. Here you can see many rare animals and birds, and in the summer, rare species of flowers bloom in the reserve.

Lake Baikal, Russia

On South Eastern Siberia There is a world famous landmark - Lake Baikal. It is the world's largest reservoir of fresh water and the deepest lake on the planet, with a maximum depth of 1,642 meters. The area of the lake is 31.7 square meters. km. The lake is interesting not only in itself, it is surrounded by unique natural landscapes. Many unique endemic animals live here, and you can also see a lot of rare plants.

Lake Baikal is of tectonic origin, its water is considered one of the cleanest in the world and is home to valuable species of fish. One of the main features of water is its high oxygen content, while the amount of minerals is very small. Lake Baikal is also one of the coldest in the world; the water temperature in it, even in the summer months, does not rise above +8 degrees Celsius.

One of the main unresolved issues related to the lake remains the theory of its origin. According to scientists, its formation was provoked by tectonic activity; the age of the lake is at least 25 million years. The inhabitants of the lake are of great interest to researchers; there are more than 2,600 species of them. More than half of the aquatic inhabitants are endemic and cannot be found in any other body of water in the world. One of the most important environmental problems of Lake Baikal is wastewater. Many rivers flow into the lake, the water in some of them is polluted by industrial waste.

Moraine Lake, Canada

In Canada there is the famous glacial lake Moraine, it is located in Banff National Park. This lake is very small, its area is only 500 square meters. meters, and the maximum depth reaches 14 meters. At the same time, it is difficult to find equals in the beauty of this lake. The discoverer of this unique natural attraction was explorer Walter Wilcox. When he discovered this lake, he could not stop admiring it for half an hour. Later, in his manuscripts, the scientist noted that these were the happiest half an hour in his life.

This lake is located in a very inaccessible mountainous area, so for a long time no one knew about its existence. The water in the lake, which fills it year after year during the melting of glaciers, has a rich sapphire hue. Against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains, the lake looks fantastic. The best time to visit the lake is considered to be June; at this time the peak of glacier melting occurs and the lake reaches its maximum size.

Travelers can visit Moraine Lake only from May to September, the rest of the year Mountain road closed for security reasons. You can easily get to the lake by car, the nearest large locality is the city of Calgary. Recent years have been spent going to the lake organized excursions, By tourist route the bus runs. Half an hour’s drive from the lake there is a small mountain village, which will also be very interesting to visit as part of the excursion.

Lake Jenny, USA

Jenny Lake is located in northwestern Wyoming and is today part of Grand Triton National Park. This lake is also of glacial origin and is located at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters above sea level. According to researchers, the lake was formed about 12,000 years ago, its maximum depth reaches 129 meters, and its area is about 482 square meters. km. Despite the fact that this lake is one of the cleanest in the world, motor boats are allowed on it, which is actively used not only by researchers, but also by tourists.

The main route, formed along the shores of the lake, is called the Jenny Lake Trail; excursions are conducted here not only during the day, but also at night. Nearby is the beautiful Cascade Canyon, which is also an important attraction of these places. The name of the lake has a very interesting story. In 1872, one of the first large expedition groups, led by the Englishman Richard Lee, worked on the lake. This beautiful lake was later named after his wife Jenny.

Another attractive feature of the reservoir is the variety of fish species; fishing was allowed here several years ago. The most cherished catch of fishermen is trout; to go fishing here, you need to obtain a special license. Tourists are allowed to travel to these places only when accompanied by guides; among the inhabitants of the nearby forests there are many predatory animals, and bears are also found here. Just like many years ago, today the national park attracts hunters, and climbers also like to relax here.

Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

There are also many wonderful lakes in New Zealand, worthy of attention tourists. One of them is worth looking for on Yuzhny Island, where the beautiful Lake Pukaki is located. This lake of glacial origin has become famous throughout the world thanks to the rich blue color of the water, which, among other things, is also incredibly clean. The area of the lake is 178.7 square meters. km, it is located at an altitude of more than 500 meters above sea level. This fabulously beautiful reservoir stretches for 15 km in length and its width is about 8 km.

Several years ago, Lake Pukaki became part of a large hydropower system; experts made sure that such use of the reservoir would in no way affect its environmental performance. For local residents, the appearance of the hydraulic unit was a real breakthrough; it was thanks to the lake that they finally received stable electricity.

Not everyone knows that initially the glacial lake was very small, its maximum depth was no more than 25 meters. When the construction of a hydraulic station began in the 40s of the last century, the volume of the lake was significantly increased. Initially, in the center of the lake there was a small island, which, as a result of the expansion of the reservoir, was flooded. The water in the glacial lake is always very cold, so not everyone dares to swim in its crystal clear azure water. Even at the height of summer, its temperature is no more than + 7 degrees Celsius. Local residents have many beautiful legends associated with the lake; it got its name in honor of one of the mythical warriors.

Lake Tahoe, USA

There's something amazing in California freshwater lake Tahoe, it is located in the picturesque foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This lake is well known to tourists; in its immediate vicinity there are several popular ski resorts. Lake Tahoe is the second most deep lakes USA, its average depth is 305 meters, and its area is about 495 square meters. km. From the number the most beautiful lakes Tahoe is considered one of the most easily accessible in the world; large roads run along the entire perimeter of the reservoir.

The lake was formed at the site of a geological fault in the earth's crust about 3 million years ago. Today, not only the lake itself with water of a fantastic heavenly color is of great interest, but also the coniferous forests surrounding it. Here you can see many rare species of pine and fir, as well as rare species of shrubs and grasses. The lake was discovered relatively recently, in 1844, its discoverer was Lieutenant John Fremont.

He explored these mountainous areas in search of a river, and discovered an incredibly beautiful lake, which a few years later was explored by scientists from all over the world. Most tourists began to visit these places after 1960, when winter holidays were held at one of the local resorts. Olympic Games. Since those times there has remained a beautiful tourism infrastructure, today there are comfortable hotels near the lake, and there are also many ski slopes of varying difficulty levels. It will be interesting for lovers to relax here too. hiking, at any time of the year, exciting excursions are held near the lake.

Blue Lake, New Zealand

One of the cleanest and most unusual lakes on the planet with complex name Rotomairewhenua is located in New Zealand, translated from the Maori language its name means “Blue Lake”. This miniature freshwater lake is located within the Nelson National Forest and is part of a complex system of lakes. Ecologists began to study the reservoir in detail only in 2011; they accidentally discovered that the water in the lake is extremely clean.

Visibility there can reach 80 meters. From year to year, the lake is fed by water from nearby glaciers. Dripping with mountain peaks, it passes through many natural rocks, which act as a natural filter. Largely due to its purity, the water in the lake has an amazing hue, which during the day varies from deep blue to light purple.

One of the first specialists to show interest in the lake was hydrologist Rob Mirriles. After admiring the crystal clear water, travelers should definitely take a walk through the forests and mountain ranges. There are no tourist centers near the lake; it is extremely rare to meet travelers here. The main visitors to these picturesque places are researchers and ecologists; recently, as a result of a major study of water in Blue Lake They equated it in properties and quality to distilled water.

Petermann River, Greenland

Some rivers are also striking in their amazing purity of water. An excellent example is the Petermann River, located in Greenland; it is known to a wide range of travelers under the unofficial name of the Blue River. The location of the river is the glacier of the same name, which melts in the summer and forms many small streams. They all converge into a single river, the water of which has a rich blue tint.

The incredibly beautiful and clean river poses a huge threat to the world ecology. In recent years, the Petermann Glacier has begun to melt four times faster, which is contributing to a significant increase in the water level of the world's oceans. According to researchers' forecasts, in the coming years the glacier will melt even more intensely, which could lead to serious ecological disasters. In the meantime, the crystal clear river is of great interest to scientists. They can estimate the composition of glacial waters that have been frozen for millions of years.

It is very difficult for ordinary travelers to reach this remote corner of the world with an incredibly harsh climate; this can only be done together with organized expedition groups. Now environmentalists are trying to take all possible measures to minimize the influx of glacier meltwater into the world ocean. In the coming years it may lose up to 100 sq. kilometers of ice, this amount of melt water would be enough to supply a large metropolis for 10 years.

Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Off the coast of West Antarctica lies the beautiful Lake Weddell, which is also one of the cleanest bodies of water on the planet. It bears its name in honor of the discoverer J. Weddell, who made an expedition to these places in 1832. The sea area is 2,900,000 square meters. km, and its maximum depth reaches 6,800 meters. In addition to the incredibly beautiful water of a heavenly hue, the sea is distinguished by a huge number of ice floes that float in it all year round.

This beautiful, clear sea is home to thousands of aquatic inhabitants, huge populations of whales, seals and fish live here, and penguins are also typical inhabitants of these places. Today the Weddell Sea is considered the cleanest in the world. The last major study of its water took place in 1986, the average visibility was estimated at 79 meters, which corresponds to distilled water.

Not all research groups, not to mention ordinary tourists, decide to sail on this sea; drifting ice poses a huge threat to ships. Many natural and physical phenomena are associated with the North Sea. The water in it never freezes, despite the fact that its temperature can reach -25 degrees Celsius. The Weddell Sea is the coldest and cleanest sea on the planet. To see it with your own eyes, travelers need to be part of one of the research expeditions, but they go to this harsh sea extremely rarely

The pearl of Siberia, the deepest and cleanest lake in the world, is truly a masterpiece of nature, whose name is Baikal. Russian Cossack explorers, who first set foot on the shores of Lake Baikal in the 17th century, nicknamed it “the great ocean-sea.” No other body of water on the entire planet deserves so many rave reviews and mentions, which is not surprising. Baikal is the absolute leader in the number of records in a variety of categories among all the lakes in the world. Dozens of discoveries are made here every year; Crowds of researchers and tourists flock here to personally enjoy all the beauties of the legendary lake and its surroundings.

General information about Baikal

Baikal is a freshwater lake of tectonic origin, located in the southern part of Eastern Siberia on the border Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia. The length of the lake from northeast to southwest is 636 km (according to other sources - 620 km), the maximum width is about 80 km, and the length coastline- at least 2000 km.

The origin of Baikal and its true age are still debated among scientists. Most researchers support the theory of its tectonic origin at the epicenter of a transform fault. The age of the lake is traditionally estimated at 25-35 million years, but some scientists are inclined to believe that this figure is much more modest.

The average depth of Lake Baikal ranges from 730-750 m, the maximum depth is 1642 m (the value was established in 1983 and confirmed in 2002). There are not many lakes on Earth deeper than 1000 m. These are, in particular, Tanganyika (1470 m), the Caspian Sea (1025 m) and, possibly, hidden by ice Lake Vostok in Antarctica (at least 1200 m). In this list, Baikal holds the depth record.

The total area of the lake's water surface, excluding islands, is 31,722 km², and this fact leaves no doubt that Baikal is not only the largest lake in Russia by area, but also one of the largest enclosed bodies of water in the world. True, in this ranking Baikal holds only seventh place (the top three are the Caspian Sea, Victoria and Tanganyika).

As for the volume of water mass contained in the basin of the lake, here Baikal with an indicator of 23,615 km³ again finds itself in a leading position, second only to the same Caspian Sea. However, in the Caspian Sea the water is salty, while Baikal is famous for its purest fresh water, and therefore is known as the largest freshwater lake in the world. Moreover, the volume of Baikal water makes up almost 20% of all the world's fresh lake water resources (polar and mountain glaciers, river waters and moisture contained in the atmosphere are not taken into account).

As noted above, the water in the lake is unusually clean and transparent. It contains a negligible percentage of suspended mineral particles and organic impurities, but there is a high concentration of oxygen. Experts assure that water with such properties in some cases can be used as distilled water.

The water in Baikal is so clear that, for example, in early spring individual stones and other objects can be seen at a depth of up to 40 m. All this is also surprising because at least 336 rivers, rivulets and streams flow into the lake, and only one river flows out of it - the Angara. The largest tributaries are the Upper Angara, Selenga, Barguzin, Turka, etc. The drainage basin area is estimated at 588 thousand km², of which 53% falls on the territory of Russia.

Flora and fauna of Baikal

Vegetable and animal world Lake Baikal is unique and infinitely diverse. Of the 2,630 names of plants and animals that live both in the lake itself and on its shores, more than half are endemic (that is, found only here and nowhere else). This biological abundance is explained by the exceptionally high concentration of oxygen in the lake water.

The unusually clear waters of Lake Baikal are home to 58 species of fish, 27 of which are classified as endemic. The most famous of them are Baikal sturgeon, whitefish, grayling, pike, taimen. The legendary Baikal omul, which is not found anywhere else in the world, deserves special attention. Another endemic species is quite interesting - the viviparous golomyanka fish, which contains up to 30% fat in its body.

The real symbol of Baikal is the Baikal seal - the only seal in the world that lives in fresh waters. This species is most common in the northern and central parts of the reservoir.

The bulk of the zooplankton in the lake is made up of the small copepod epishura, unique in addition to its endemicity and the fact that it purifies Baikal water by filtering it during the feeding process. Over the course of a year, the epishura population is capable of filtering the water in the entire lake up to ten times or more. Largely thanks to this inconspicuous crustacean, Baikal is famous as the cleanest lake in Russia.

On the mountainous shores of the lake grow relict pines, cedars and larches, preserved here since the last ice age. Some trees are so huge that they reach 40 m in height. Some of them are about 700 years old. Thyme, Rhodiola rosea, wild garlic, rhododendron and even edelweiss are also found in the local foothills, although quite rarely.

In order to preserve the integrity of such a unique corner of wildlife in the area of Lake Baikal, three nature reserves and two national parks were established at one time.

In terms of water surface area (excluding the area of islands), Baikal is comparable to the territories of countries such as Belgium, Denmark or the Netherlands.
Baikal's fresh water reserves could well be enough to supply the entire population of the Earth for 40 years.
The oldest known mention of Baikal is contained in Chinese chronicles dating back to 110 BC.
If all the water contained in the lake is divided by the number of residents of Russia, then each citizen will be the owner of 2,700 railway tanks with water.
Such well-known personalities as Russian President V. Putin, director J. Cameron (who, by the way, celebrated his 56th birthday here) and writer V. Rasputin have dived to the bottom of Lake Baikal.
The peculiar local climate is determined by the influence of winds, many of which have their own names: Barguzin, Verkhovik, Shelonnik, Sarma, Kultuk, etc.
Baikal contains more water than all five Great Lakes of North America together, it is 2 times greater than Lake Tanganyika, 4 times greater than the Baltic Sea and 23 times greater than Lake Ladoga.
Every year, about 4 thousand tons of oil enter the water column from the bottom of the lake, which is completely utilized by copepods - epishurs.
If we assume that the flow of water into Baikal due to the existing tributaries ceased, then a river equal in flow strength to the Angara would take 383 years to completely drain the lake. On the contrary, to fill the Baikal basin to the top, all the rivers of the world would need about 200 days.
There is enough water in the lake to simultaneously feed about forty-six quadrillion five hundred trillion people (assuming that each person gets about 0.5 liters).
The number of sunny days in the vicinity of Lake Baikal can be considered a record for Russia. More of them happen here per year than on the Black Sea coast. On Olkhon Island, for example, there are less than 50 cloudy days per year.
The name “Baikal” is given to asteroid 2776, discovered in 1976, a soft carbonated drink known to many since childhood, and one of the bays of the Sea of Okhotsk.

So, a multiple winner of the Guinness Book of Records, the most big lake Russia and Asia, Baikal is also a kind of Mecca for huge amount tourists from many countries of the world.

As summer approaches, we increasingly dream of taking a dip in cool and clean water. True, accessible beaches are not always impeccably clean. There are, however, places on Earth where the water is truly transparent and practically untouched by civilization.

In today's top ten we have collected the cleanest bodies of water in the world. Yes, not all of them are suitable for swimming, but enjoying the contemplation of the bottom through a 40-meter thickness of water is a special pleasure.

10. Crater Lake (Oregon, USA)

This crater lake is famous for its clear water and deep blue color. The lake was formed more than 7,700 years ago. One of the attractions of the Crater is a huge log that has been floating vertically across the entire surface for more than a hundred years.

9. Bak Bak Beach (Borneo Island)

The water here is so clean that you can see every blade of grass from the algae covering the huge boulders. This beach is unpopular among tourists because entering the water is very inconvenient. It was this circumstance that allowed us to keep the water crystal clear.

8. Lake Mashu (Japan)

The reservoir in Akan National Park is considered one of the cleanest in the world. The lake is located at the foot of the mountain of the same name. The transparency of the water here is amazing – it reaches more than meters. So that tourists can appreciate local beauties, several observation platforms are equipped for them above the water.

7. Flooded Red Rock Cave (Australia)

Tourists love to visit this place, spending hours looking at the smallest stones at the bottom. deep lake. The transparency of the water is somewhat reduced by light ripples arising from the nearby waterfall.

6. Peyto Lake (Canada)

The cleanest lake located in national park Banff was formed as a result of the melting of a glacier at an altitude of 1860 meters. One of the highlights of the lake is the tropical turquoise color of the water.

5. Lake Baikal (Russia)

boasts unusually clear water. In some places you can see the bottom located at a depth of over meters. Baikal waters reach particular purity in the spring.

4. Lake of Five Colors (China)

This extraordinary lake is located in Sichuan province. The bottom of the lake is covered with trunks of fallen trees, which can be seen in great detail thanks to the crystal clear water. The lake is fed by underground springs, the warmth of which prevents it from freezing even in severe winters.

3. Jenny Lake (Wyoming, USA)

The reservoir was formed about thousands of years ago during the melting of glaciers. By the way, the lake got its name from an Indian girl who married the British pioneer Richard Lee.

2. Rio Sucuri (Brazil)

This river is so clean and transparent that it creates the illusion that fish swimming in the water are fluttering in the air. Together with its banks covered with lush greenery, the Sukuri River creates a very picturesque landscape that attracts tourists. One of the most popular activities in Sukuri is snorkeling.

1. Lake Königssee (Germany)

This one is one of the cleanest bodies of water in the world formed as a result of melting glaciers. Only vessels with electric motors, rowing boats and pedal catamarans are allowed to travel on the lake. In the very middle of the lake you can hear an unusually pure and clear echo, helped by the surrounding mountains.

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