Famous Lakes of the World: Can You Guess?
Guess the famous lake name quiz: Test your geography knowledge and identify 20 iconic lakes around the world in this fun, interactive challenge!
Lakes captivate geography buffs and travelers alike. Many hold astonishing records: for example, Siberia’s Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,642 m) lake on Earth, containing 20% of the planet’s unfrozen freshwater. North America’s Great Lakes (like Lake Superior) alone hold 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. According to National Geographic, lakes offer adventure and well-being—canoeing on mountain lakes, diving into submerged forests, or hiking around pristine shores can boost your mood and connect you to nature. Ready to test your knowledge of these famous waterways? Let’s dive in!
To guide your guessing, consider these fascinating facts about world lakes. The Caspian Sea (between Europe and Asia) is actually the largest lake on Earth by area (~371,000 km²). Africa boasts several giant lakes: Victoria (Africa’s largest by area at ~69,484 km²), Tanganyika (the world’s second-deepest lake), and Malawi (home to over 700 unique fish species). Up high, Lake Titicaca in the Andes sits at 3,812 m above sea level, making it the world’s highest navigable lake. Low down, the Dead Sea (between Jordan and Israel) lies ~395 m below sea level. We’ve mixed clues about lakes big and small, near and far. Put on your thinking cap and see if you can identify each one!
How Well Do You Know These Lakes?
Test your geography skills with this fun famous lakes of the world quiz! Read each clue carefully and guess which lake it describes. Answers are at the bottom – no peeking! Good luck, and feel free to share your score or challenge friends after playing.
- Clue: In southern Siberia, this lake is both the oldest (~25 million years) and deepest (1,642 m) on Earth. It holds about 20% of the world’s unfrozen fresh water.
- Clue: Africa’s largest lake by area (~69,000 km²), it straddles Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It is the main reservoir feeding the Nile River.
- Clue: The largest of North America’s Great Lakes, this lake spans the U.S.-Canada border and is about 563 km long (350 miles). It has the largest surface area of any freshwater lake in the world.
- Clue: This Great Lake is entirely within the United States (unlike the others); its shores include Chicago, Milwaukee, and Gary.
- Clue: An African Great Lake shared by Tanzania, the DRC, Burundi, and Zambia, it is the second-oldest and second-deepest lake on Earth.
- Clue: Also known as Lake Nyasa, this is Africa’s third-largest lake and second-deepest. Bordering Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania, it is famed for its rich cichlid fish diversity.
- Clue: At 3,812 m above sea level, this Andean lake on the Peru–Bolivia border is the highest navigable lake in the world.
- Clue: Actually a saline sea, this is the world’s largest lake by surface area (about 371,000 km²). It lies between Europe and Asia.
- Clue: A shallow, salty lake in Utah, it is the largest saltwater lake in North America. Its high salinity means swimmers float effortlessly.
- Clue: A landlocked salt lake between Jordan and Israel, it is the lowest point on Earth’s land surface (~395 m below sea level). Its super-salty water leaves a white crust on its shores.
- Clue: In Scotland’s Highlands, this elongated loch (~37 km long) is famous for folklore about a “monster.” It is ~230 m deep.
- Clue: This lake (Lac Léman) lies on the Switzerland–France border, with Geneva and Lausanne on its shores. It’s one of the largest lakes in Western Europe.
- Clue: High in the Sierra Nevada straddling California and Nevada, this alpine lake (6,225 ft elevation) is known for its clear blue water. At 1,897 m altitude it is North America’s largest alpine lake.
- Clue: An endorheic salt lake in central Australia (Kati Thanda), usually dry but sometimes flooded. It covers ~11,088 km² and contains Australia’s lowest point.
- Clue: Occupying a volcanic crater in Sumatra, this lake is over 1,145 km² and up to 450 m deep. It’s Southeast Asia’s largest lake and the world’s largest volcanic (caldera) lake.
- Clue: In Canada’s Northwest Territories, this Arctic lake is the largest entirely within Canada (fourth-largest in North America).
- Clue: Known as the Jade Sea, this lake in northern Kenya (partly in Ethiopia) is Africa’s fourth-largest. It lies in the Rift Valley and is the world’s largest permanent desert lake.
- Clue: Israel’s largest freshwater lake, this body of water is ~210 m below sea level (making it the lowest freshwater lake on Earth).
- Clue: A caldera lake in southern Oregon, it is the deepest lake in the United States (~592 m). Its brilliant blue color and steep walls make it a national park.
- Clue: In northern Canada (Nunavut), this long narrow lake drains into the Arctic Ocean. It is the second-largest lake entirely within Canada (by area) and one of the world’s deepes
If any answers surprised you, be sure to learn more about those lakes! (Hint: The National Geographic and Britannica sources linked above are great starting points.)
#GuessTheLakeName #WorldLakesTrivia #GeographyQuiz #LakeChallenge #FamousLakes
Answers (please check only after finishing!):
- Lake Baikal (Russia) – Oldest/deepest lake, 20% of fresh water.
- Lake Victoria (Africa) – Largest African lake (Tanzania/Uganda/Kenya).
- Lake Superior (USA/Canada) – Largest Great Lake by area.
- Lake Michigan (USA) – Only Great Lake wholly in the USA.
- Lake Tanganyika (Africa) – African Great Lake, 2nd-deepest.
- Lake Malawi (Africa) – Also called Nyasa, rich in cichlids.
- Lake Titicaca (Peru/Bolivia) – World’s highest navigable lake.
- Caspian Sea – Largest lake by area (Asia/Europe).
- Great Salt Lake (USA) – Large salty lake in Utah.
- Dead Sea (Jordan/Israel) – Lowest lake on Earth.
- Loch Ness (Scotland) – Scottish loch with legendary monster.
- Lake Geneva (Switzerland/France) – Large Alpine lake (Lac Léman).
- Lake Tahoe (USA) – Clear alpine lake (CA–NV), 2nd-deepest US lake.
- Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda, Australia) – Endorheic salt lake (dry much of time).
- Lake Toba (Indonesia) – Huge volcanic crater lake in Sumatra.
- Great Bear Lake (Canada) – Canada’s largest lake entirely within its borders.
- Lake Turkana (Kenya/Ethiopia) – “Jade Sea” of the Rift Valley.
- Sea of Galilee (Israel) – Lowest freshwater lake on Earth.
- Crater Lake (USA) – Deepest U.S. lake (Oregon caldera lake).
- Great Slave Lake (Canada) – Second-largest in Canada, extremely deep.
Share Your Results and Explore More
Did you ace the quiz? Let us know your score and favorite lake in the comments below! Quiz fans and learners – share this challenge with friends on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to see if they can identify all 20. Don’t forget to subscribe for more geography quizzes and travel adventures, and explore our other quizzes on mountains, rivers, and world capitals for even more brain-teasing fun. Happy travels and happy quizzing!
Sources: We’ve drawn facts from geography authorities like National Geographic, Britannica, UNESCO, and educational sites to make this quiz both fun and factual. Dive into those links for deeper reading on these amazing lakes.
