The world is adorned with an abundance of lakes, making them a ubiquitous feature across the globe.

According to satellite data, a staggering 100 million lakes larger than 1 hectare (2.47 acres) exist worldwide, collectively covering nearly 4% of the Earth's land area.

While lakes may seem similar at first glance, their characteristics can vary significantly, ranging from depth to salinity.

Moreover, the ranking of the world's largest lakes is dynamic, influenced by human activities that can transform vast water expanses into desolate landscapes within a single generation.

At the top of the list stands the Caspian Sea, a colossal salt lake with hints of its oceanic past dating back 11 million years. Stretching almost the size of Japan, the Caspian Sea shares its shores with five countries: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.

Remarkably, an estimated 48 billion barrels of oil lie beneath its surface, further emphasizing its strategic and economic significance.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Great Lakes, a series of interconnected lakes along the Canada-U.S. border, form one of Earth's largest repositories of freshwater. Comprising five lakes, this freshwater system accounts for approximately 20% of the world's freshwater.

The Great Lakes region supports a population exceeding 100 million people, roughly one-third of the combined population of Canada and the United States. Notably, Lake Baikal in Siberia stands out among these giants, holding as much freshwater as all the Great Lakes combined.

This Rift Valley lake boasts a maximum depth of 5,371 feet (1,637 meters), making it the deepest lake globally. Lake Baikal also claims the title of the oldest and coldest lake on Earth, with approximately 80% of its endemic animal species found nowhere else.

Lake Malawi, situated in the southernmost part of the East African Rift Valley, adds its unique charm to the world of lakes. Bordered by Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania, this lake is strategically positioned at the opening of the East African Rift Valley.

The age of Lake Malawi remains a topic of scientific debate, with estimates ranging from 40,000 to potentially two million years. While Malawi refers to it as "Lake Malawi," neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Tanzania prefer the name "Nyasa (ziwa)."

The lake earned the nickname "The Lake of Stars" from David Livingstone, who was captivated by the lights of fishing boats on its surface resembling stars in the night sky.

Additionally known as "Storm Lake" due to frequent gusts of wind, Lake Malawi covers an expansive area of 30,800 square kilometres, ranking as the world's ninth-largest lake. Within Africa, it is the third-largest freshwater lake and the sixth deepest globally.

Stretching an impressive 560 kilometres from north to south and ranging from 24 to 80 kilometres in east-west width, Lake Malawi has an average depth of 273 meters. Its northern end plunges to a depth of 706 meters, and the lake's elevation is 472 meters above sea level.

Fed by 14 perennial rivers, with the Ruohuhu River contributing the most significant volume, Lake Malawi is surrounded by verdant and upright peaks that create a picturesque and spectacular scenery on both sides of its narrow expanse.