World’s Major Lakes

World’s Major Lakes include important lake systems spread across North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, playing a crucial role in climate balance, water resources, biodiversity, and human activities. In the subject of world geography, studying these continent-wise lake distributions helps in understanding physical features, drainage patterns, and map-based questions for competitive exams. This topic offers a structured overview for quick learning and effective revision.

World’s Major Lakes

North America

The Great Lakes (Canada & USA)

Shape: Resembling fingers (connected lakes)

Largest to Smallest by Area:

1. Lake Superior
2. Lake Huron
3. Lake Michigan (entirely in the USA)
4. Lake Erie
5. Lake Ontario

West to East Order:

1. Lake Superior
2. Lake Michigan
3. Lake Huron
4. Lake Erie
5. Lake Ontario

Canada-USA Split:

• Four lakes are shared by both countries, each split 50%: 50%
• Lake Michigan is entirely in the USA.
• Canada’s Northern Lakes (From North to South):
  1. Great Bear Lake
  2. La Martre Lake
  3. Great Slave Lake
  4. Athabasca Lake
  5. Reindeer Lake
  6. Lake Winnipeg

South America

Africa

Europe

Asia

Australia

Lake	River	Important Features
Lake Argyle	Ord River	One of Australia’s largest freshwater reservoirs
Lake Woods		Shallow intermittent lake in the Northern Territory
Lake Gregory	Sturt Creek	Large desert lake, important wetland for birds
Lake Mackay		One of Australia’s largest salt lakes
Lake Disappointment / Kumpupintil		Major salt lake in the Gibson Desert, usually dry
Lake Carnegie		Large ephemeral salt lake, fills during heavy rainfall
Lake Wells		Ephemeral salt lake in an arid region
Lake Austin		Dry salt lake
Lake Barlee
Lake Moore		Long shallow salt lake, seasonal
Lake Cowan		Large salt pan near Norseman
Lake Lefroy		Dry salt lake popular for land sailing
Lake Dundas		Salt lake
Lake Carey		Ephemeral salt lake
Lake Gairdner		One of Australia’s largest salt lakes
Lake Eyre / Kati Thanda	Cooper Creek, Warburton River	Australia’s largest lake, floods occasionally, lowest point of Australia
Lake Torrens		Long U-shaped saline lake, mostly dry
Lake Blanche		Shallow saline lake in South Australia
Lake Frome		Dry salt lake, important geological site