Lake Baikal

About Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal is a large, deep, freshwater lake in Russia. It is the largest lake in Eurasia and the world's oldest and deepest lake, with a maximum depth of 1,642 meters. It is also the world's largest reservoir of fresh water, containing more than 20% of the world's total. Lake Baikal is located in the southern part of Siberia, in Russia. The lake is in a rift valley, created by the Baikal Rift Zone, where the Earth's crust is slowly pulling apart. This valley is also home to the world's deepest point, the Challenger Deep, located in the Mariana Trench. Lake Baikal has a surface area of 31,722 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 1,642 meters. It has a mean depth of 744 meters and a volume of 23,615 cubic kilometers. The lake is divided into three basins: the North, Central, and South Basins. The North and Central Basins are separated by the Trans-Baikal Ridge, and the Central and South Basins are separated by the Baikal Hills. Lake Baikal is a rift lake, meaning that it was formed by the separation of two tectonic plates. The lake is located in the Baikal Rift Zone, where the Earth's crust is slowly pulling apart. This valley is also home to the world's deepest point, the Challenger Deep, located in the Mariana Trench. Lake Baikal has a continental climate, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The average annual temperature is -1.5 degrees Celsius, and the average annual precipitation is 400 millimeters. Lake Baikal is a popular tourist destination, with visitors coming to enjoy its natural beauty and its many outdoor activities, such as fishing, hiking, and camping.