Lake Baikal is the world's oldest lake, at 25 million years (possibly older), and deepest, averaging 744.4 metres (2,442 ft).
Located in the south of the Russian region of Siberia, between Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast, it is the most voluminous freshwater lake in the world, containing roughly 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water.
Workers adjust rails at the bed of a drained area of a lake used for the production of salt at the Sasyk-Sivash lake near the city of Yevpatoria, Crimea, September 25, 2015. The area has a long tradition of salt production, prepared from salt flats flooded with water from the Black Sea. (Photo by Pavel Rebrov/Reuters)
Yuccas catch fire as the Powerhouse fire makes a fast run toward Lake Hughes, south of Lake Hughes, California, on June 1, 2013. The 19,500-acre wildfire destroyed numerous homes overnight. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Fishermen are seen near thousands of fish found dead at Lake Maninjau due to lack of oxygen levels at the bottom of the lake and bad weather that hit the area in Agam, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia on April 29, 2021. (Photo by Muhammad Arif Pribadi/Antara Foto via Reuters)
A white yak sits on the lakeside of Namtso on May 19, 2024 in Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region of China. As temperature rises and ice melts, Lake Namtso is entering its tourism season. An event celebrating the melting of frozen water of Lake Namtso is held on May 19. (Photo by Jin Wei/VCG via Getty Images)
Yanick Wasser of Switzerland jumps in the Mens Large Hill Individual competition during Day 2 of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup at Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex on February 08, 2025 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)