Lakes refer to water bodies in inland depressions that are relatively static, have a certain area, and are not directly connected to the ocean.

Currently, there are about 117 million lakes in the world, covering nearly 5 million square kilometers of the Earth's surface.

Lakes are not static objects but dynamic complexes that continuously circulate matter and energy in nature. They are inextricably linked and interact with humans wherever humans live and operate.

Generally speaking, a lake refers to a body of water that stores a large amount of water in a low-lying area on land and is not directly connected to the ocean. Therefore, any depressions with poor drainage on the ground can store water and develop into lakes.

In terms of area, the top nine lakes in the world are the Caspian Sea, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Michigan, Lake Victoria, Lake Baikal, Big Bear Lake, and Lake Malawi.

There are many famous freshwater lakes in the world that are vast in area and rich in resources, making them precious material wealth for human beings. They are not only significant natural resources on Earth but also human cultural heritage and tourist attractions. Some of these lakes are:

Great Lakes:

The Great Lakes are five large lakes at the junction of Canada and the United States, known as the five largest freshwater lakes in the world.

They have a total area of 245,660 square kilometers, and their total freshwater accounts for about 20% of the world's freshwater reserves. The lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario.

Lake Victoria:

Located at the junction of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in East Africa, Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa. It covers an area of about 67,000 square kilometers. Lake Victoria is one of the most important fishery resources in Africa and also an important water resource and tourist destination.

Lake Tanzania:

Lake Tanzania is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, located in northern Tanzania, with an area of about 64,000 square kilometers. It is one of the most important water resources in Africa, providing a large amount of drinking and agricultural water. It is also an important fishery resource in Africa.

Lake Maldives:

Located in central Sri Lanka, Lake Maldives is the largest freshwater lake in Sri Lanka, with an area of about 62,000 square kilometers. It is one of the most important water resources in Sri Lanka, providing a large amount of water for drinking and agriculture. It is also an important tourist attraction and fishery resource.

These lakes attract millions of tourists worldwide, who come to experience the beauty and culture of the lakes.

However, with the impact of global climate change and human activities, these lakes also face many challenges, such as water pollution, water shortages, and ecosystem collapse. Therefore, the protection and management of these lakes have become particularly important.