Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is a vast freshwater lake in Siberia, Russia, recognized as the deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world, containing roughly a fifth of the world's unfrozen fresh water.
Formed by an ancient and still-widening continental rift, this remote Siberian lake holds more fresh water than all five of North America's Great Lakes combined.
The World's Deepest Lake
Lake Baikal reaches depths of over 5,300 feet, making it the deepest lake on Earth, formed by an ancient continental rift that continues slowly widening the lake today.
An Extraordinary Volume of Fresh Water
Despite its relatively modest surface area, Lake Baikal's extreme depth means it holds approximately 20 percent of the world's unfrozen fresh water, more than all of North America's Great Lakes combined.
The World's Oldest Lake
Formed an estimated 25 to 30 million years ago, Lake Baikal is considered the oldest freshwater lake on Earth, home to thousands of plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world.
A Remote Natural Wonder
Located in a remote region of Siberia, Lake Baikal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, recognized for its exceptional age, depth, and unique biodiversity.
