Russia is the largest country in the world, with an area of 143,200,000 sq km… its largest cities are Moscow and St. Petersburg. Its population is approximately 145.1 million (2017), not including all the people living in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic. The capital of the country is Moscow. The official language is Russian. The most popular religion is Russian Orthodox Christianity (more than 90% of the population).
Russia has been seeing a big increase in tourism over the past ten years. With that growth, more and more tourists are visiting Russia. Recently, Russia has been ranked the 2nd largest tourist destination in the world. Many people come to see the history and culture, and the beautiful landscapes that are the main attractions.
Lakes in Russia are very popular with tourists. Russia is a beautiful place, and it has lots of lakes. So the start of the year is a great time to go out and enjoy the outdoors in the land of lakes.
Lake Baikal; Siberia
Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest lake, deepest lake, and the largest freshwater lake by volume. At over 1,642 m (4,393 ft) deep, it is also the deepest lake in the world. Lake Baikal is in the south-central part of Siberia, in the Russian Republic of Buryatia. It is the easternmost large lake in Eurasia and the fifth-largest lake in Asia. The lake is fed by the Angara, Onega, and lower Kurya Rivers, all of which end in Baikal.
The lake’s water is very pure, which is why it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known as one of the world’s most beautiful places. Blue mountains rise around it, a turquoise lake stretches far, and its shores have many plants and animals, including lots of birds and insects. Its location in Siberia makes it a great spot for travelers who want to see Russian wilderness.
Lake Ladoga; Northwestern Russia
Russia has some of the biggest lakes in the world, but what is Ladoga? It is a part of the Baltic Sea and the longest lake in Europe. 70% of its length is in the Republic of Karelia, Russia. It is also the largest lake in Europe by area. The lake is long and its depth changes, being shallow at the mouth and almost 1,000 meters in the middle. This makes it freeze for a long time.
Lake Ladoga is a beautiful lake with mild weather, surrounded by mountains and forests. Its shores have historical sites and monuments, and the changing water level is interesting. The north part has the city of Vyborg and town of Petrozavodsk and many World Heritage Sites. Tourists from around the world visit it.
Lake Onega; Northwestern Russia
Lake Onega is the largest lake in Europe outside the Arctic Circle. It is in the Republic of Karelia, north of St. Petersburg, and is about 100 km long. Its surface area is about 13,675 sq km, and the water area is 3,756 sq km. The highest point is Mt. Lebyazhsky, on the lake’s shore. The lake’s name comes from the Karelian word “elävä,” meaning “living water.”
The Republic of Komi is in northwest Russia and borders Finland. In summer, it is busy because Lake Onega is popular with tourists. Around the lake, there are national parks, forests, and lakes, and the narrow Komi-Karjala is very interesting.
Lake Khanka; Primorsky Krai
Lake Khanka is in Primorsky Krai, Russia, near the border with China and North Korea. It is the second largest lake in Russia, covering 20,000 sq km. Its deepest point is 11 meters. Rivers Khanka and Malykhanka feed the lake, which is the main water source for the region.
Primorsky Krai is very beautiful. Lake Khanka is a top tourist spot. It is the largest lake in Primorsky Krai, second largest in Siberia after Baikal, and third-largest in Asia. It has many fish, berries, mushrooms, and pine mushrooms.
Lake Peipus; Estonia
Lake Peipus is in Estonia and can be visited from Narva. The lake is 22 km long and covers 1,836 hectares. During the Soviet era, it was called “The Forgotten Lake” because few visited. Today, it is popular with tourists. You can see it from the cliffs of Narva or walk along it.
Estonia is a small country, but it has many attractions. Lake Peipus is one of them. It is large but shallow, and the banks rise and fall, giving surprising views.
Uvs Lake; Russia
Want adventure? Visit Lake Uvs (Uvs means blue in Kyrgyz) in remote Kyrgyzstan. Tourists enjoy scuba diving, night safaris, or walks in the wilderness. You can see ancient burial mounds or take a helicopter to beaches.
Uvs Lake is important for people in the Tuva Republic, Russia. It is a beautiful lake with harsh weather. Summer average is 4°C, winter is -5°C. The lakeshore is snowy in winter. The area is rich in nature and history, attracting tourists.
Lake Chany; Novosibirsk Oblast
Lake Chany is one of many lakes in Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia. It is in southwest Novosibirsk, part of the Volga River basin, and is popular with tourists. There are about 200 lakes, with Lake Chany the largest.
Lake Chany is very beautiful. The area has many camps and resorts, including forest, river, lake, and yurt camps. The Chany Museum shows history with over 20,000 artifacts and 12,000 icons.
Lake Teletskoye; Altai Republic
Lake Teletskoye is in the Altai Republic, southwest Russia, and covers 400 sq km. It has many fish, like perch, pike, burbot, eel, and carp. Brown bears live nearby, and the lake is featured in media.
Lake Teletskoye is beautiful and mysterious. At 156 meters deep, it is Russia’s deepest lake and one of the world’s deepest. It is remote, in Altai Republic. Tourists visit the village of Teletskoye, 90 km west of Salekhard.
Lake Ilmen; Novgorod Oblast
Lake Ilmen (Russian: Озеро Ильмень) is in southeastern European Russia, in Novgorod Oblast, on the Narva River, near Lake Ilmen, Europe’s largest lake.
Lake Ilmen is picturesque and popular. The waters are clean, perfect for recreation and sports. There is fishing and watersports. People can relax with nature and birds or see the bluffs and historical Novgorod-Novgorodsk Kremlin and visit the museum.
Elgygytgyn Lake; Chukchi Peninsula, Northeast Siberia
Since the Little Ice Age, Elgygytgyn Lake has been shrinking. Scientists in Moscow tracked changes since the 1980s. The lake is in Chukchi Peninsula, northeast Russia. It is the largest in Chukotka and one of Russia’s largest.
Elgygytgyn Lake is beautiful and glacier-fed. It is the last natural lake in the area and popular with tourists. People fly-fish in summer and experience traditional Chukchi culture.