Lake Baikal Facts

Interesting Facts about Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal, in eastern Siberia, is no ordinary lake. Here are some interesting facts about it:  

• Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world with a maximum depth of 1,632m 
• It is also the world's largest volume of fresh water 23,000 cubic km. This means that one-fifth of all the fresh water in the world is located here at Lake Baikal. 
• Lake Baikal is 640km long and judging by its dimensions only it would be more of a sea than a lake. 
• Baikal is also the world's most ancient freshwater lake, it originated 20-25 million years ago. 
• It is home to many unique species of animals and plants including the freshwater seal. 

• Lake Baikal is one of the clearest and purest bodies of water. In a good day you could see 40 meters into the lake. 
• Dimensions of Lake Baikal: It is 636 km long, 79 km wide. 
• There are 27 islands in Lake Baikal, most of them being uninhabited. 
• Baikal Lake’s coastline measures 2100 kilometers (around 1300 miles). 
• More than 300 streams and rivers flow into Lake Baikal, but there is just one outlet, the Angara. 
• The water in the lake creates a mild microclimate around its shores. 
• More than half the species found in Lake Baikal are unique to this place.