Lake Baikal
Baikal is the lake in the southern part of Eastern Siberia in Russia. It has a tectonic origin. It is the deepest lake on the earth and the major natural reservoir of fresh water. Lake Baikal is also called the Baikal Sea.
1. Baikal is located in the center of Asia, on the border of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia. Its width ranges from 24 to 79 km, and the water surface area of Lake Baikal equals 31,722 km² (excluding islands), which is approximately equal to the area of Belgium or the Netherlands.
2. Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world. Its maximum depth is 1,642 m. The average depth of the lake is 744.4 m. It exceeds the maximum depths of the deepest lakes on our planet.
3. During a freeze-up season (January 9 through May 4) Baikal is completely covered with ice, except for a small area of 20 km, which is a source of the Angara River. The period of navigation for passenger and cargo ships usually opens in June and ends in September.
4. A famous Russian soft drink that looks like Coke was named after the lake was created in 1973. A special blend of herbal extracts and essential oils is the secret of the unique Baikal’s beverage taste.
5. 65 km from Irkutsk (on the shore of Lake Baikal near the Angara River) there is a village Listvyanka - one of the most popular tourist’s destinations. The best routes start at the village and lead to the Big Cats at the peninsula Holy Nose, Olkhon Island and other places.
6. Lake Baikal is a home for more than 2,600 aquatic animals (1,000 endemic species, 11 endemic families and subfamilies).
7. There are many monuments of nature, culture, history and archaeology at the lake. One the most famous are North Baikal, Shaman Stone, Chivyrkuisky Gulf, Barguzinsky Bay and Ushkany Islands.
8. According to the legend Baikal was the father of 336 rivers-sons and one daughter-Angara. All rivers met the father-river to replenish his waters; but his daughter fell in love with the Yenisei River and gave her father`s waters to her loved one. Therefore, the father Baikal threw a huge piece of rock (Shaman Stone) into his daughter’s body and cursed her.
9. Baikal keeps about 19% (more than 23,000 km3) of the world's fresh water. The Great Lakes keep 22,000 km3 of fresh water.
10. There are several theories about the origin of the name Baikal. It can be translated from Buryat language as "to stand" and "fire" or "to rich fire". According to a legend Lake Baikal was formed on a site of a fire-breathing mountains.
11. If we will divide the lake’s water (23 615.4 cubic meters) by all Russians (141,927,300 people), then each one will get about 166,4 thousand m3 (it is about 2,773 rail tank cars of 60 tons each). According to a famous lake researcher L. Kolotilo, utilitarian value of water in the lake is $236 trillion.
12. Since 1956 the lake has been used for getting hydroelectric power. Lake Baikal has become an integral part of the Irkutsk reservoir.
13. Scientists believe that the lake appeared 25-35 million years ago. Since 1996 Lake Baikal is in the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
14. One of the main problems of preservation the Baikal natural territory flora and fauna is poaching. One of the main objects of illegal fishing is the Baikal seal.
15. Many countries (Armenia, Albania or Malta) could fit on the territory of Baikal (its area is nearly 32,000 km2).
