World's largest lake is the same size as Japan and spans 2 continents | Asia

The world’s largest lake is so vast it rivals Japan in size. With over 304 million lakes scattered across the globe, these bodies of slowly moving or standing water are impressive in their size.

Many of the largest lakes can even be considered as inland seas, yet they remain landlocked and linked to the oceans through rivers or narrow channels. The Caspian Sea holds the title of the world’s largest lake, with a surface area of 386,400 sq km (149,200 sq mi) and straddling both Europe and Asia. This enormous body of water is surrounded by Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan, with its surface sitting approximately 27 metres below sea level.

By comparison, the Caspian Sea is nearly five times the size of Lake Superior, which straddles the border of Canada and the US and spans 82,000 sq km (31,660 sq mi).

Thanks to its size, the Caspian Sea accounts for up to 44% of all the world’s lake waters.

Thought to be around 30 million years old, the Caspian Sea became landlocked approximately 5.5 million years ago. Europe’s longest river, the Volga, feeds into it and serves as its main freshwater source.

As a result of this flow, the Caspian Sea’s water is nearly fresh, with over 130 rivers draining into it, including the Ural River and the Kura River.

Several small islands are dotted throughout the lake, predominantly in the northern region, with some situated close to the shoreline but none found in its deeper waters.

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is the largest city on the Caspian Sea, with others including Astara in Iran, Atyrau in Kazakhstan and Derbent in Russia.

But contamination from the oil industry and dams constructed on rivers flowing into the lake has damaged its ecosystem.

Approximately 850 animal and over 500 plant species live in the Caspian. Six critically endangered species of sturgeon live in its waters, alongside the distinctive Caspian seal and beluga.