GREAT LAKES OF THE WORLD - An Introduction - - An Introduction -

Lakes: What are they? Lakes are bodies of water Lakes collect in large dips or depressions in the land These depressions are called basins Lake basins are surrounded on all sides by land The basins collect water from: rainfall, melting snow and glaciers, rivers, streams, brooks, as well as underground springs and groundwater

Lakes: How are they formed? NATURAL DAMS Glaciers and landslides can block a river’s flow and form a lake behind the natural dam. ACTIONS OF WAVES Coastline bays may be dammed off from the sea by the buildup of sand and silt at their mouth – this forms a lake.

Lakes: How are they formed? FAULTS IN THE EARTH’S CRUST Cracks or faults made by the movement in the earth’s crust (like the Andes Mountains) may be filled with melting ice and snow. ACTIONS OF GLACIERS Glaciers may scour out large basins which are then filled with melting ice and snow.

Great Lakes of the World Click on a Continent name to learn about the great lakes of that region. Click here when you have finished reviewing lakes from all the continents.

Great Lakes of Europe The Caspian Sea Located in Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia Largest inland body of water in the world Saltwater lake Area of 143,000 sq miles Mean depth of 550 ft Navigation is frequently dangerous due to storms Click here to return to the Continents

Great Lakes of Africa Lake Victoria Located in East central Africa World’s second largest freshwater lake Drained by the Nile River Area of 26,830 sq mile

Great Lakes of Africa Lake Tanganyika Located in East central Africa World’s second deepest freshwater lake 4,700 feet Area of 12,700 sq miles Noted for the crocodiles and hippopotamuses that are found on the shores

Great Lakes of Africa Lake Chad Located in central Africa Varies in size according to rainy and dry season Rainy: 10,000 sq miles Dry: 4000 sq miles Depth varies between 3ft & 20ft Steadily decreasing in size due to evaporation and underground seepage. Click here to return to the Continents

Great Lakes of North America Lake Superior Located in East central North America Largest body of freshwater in the world Freshwater lake Area of 31,700 sq miles Two-Thirds of the lake is in the United States

Great Lakes of North America Lake Huron Located in central North America Second largest of the five Great Lakes Freshwater lake Area of 23,000 sq miles Maximum depth is 750 ft Heavily used by fishing vessels

Great Lakes of North America Lake Michigan Located in North central United States Only Great Lake to be wholly lying in the United States Freshwater lake Area of 57,800 sq miles Maximum depth of 925 ft Has a complex system of lighthouses, buoys, weather report and storm signal stations Click here to return to the Continents

Great Lakes of South America Lake Maracaibo Located in Northwestern Venezuela Largest lake of South America Area of 5,140 sq miles Major petroleum deposits are located under and around the lake

Great Lakes of South America Lake Titicaca Located in East central South America Highest navigable lake in the world – 12,500 ft above sea- level in the Andes mountains Saltwater lake Area of 3,200 sq miles Average depth between ft Click here to return to the Continents

Great Lakes of Asia The Aral Sea Located in Central Asia (Southwestern Kazakhstan and Northwestern Uzbekistan) Saltwater lake Area of 12,050 sq miles Mean depth of 52 ft Evaporation & water diversion have resulted in major environmental problems Click here to return to the Continents

GREAT LAKES OF THE WORLD What have you learned?