Lake Baikal Overview
Situated in south-east Siberia in southern Russia, Lake Baikal is the oldest freshwater lake in the world dating back an estimated 25 million years. It's also the deepest freshwater lake in the world with a recorded depth of 1,700m (5,577ft) that contains approximately 20 per cent of the total unfrozen freshwater in the world. Lake Baikal is so big, it's estimated that if it was drained it would take a year for all the world's rivers to refill it. This incredible natural habitat supports an array of flora and fauna including the Nerpa - the only freshwater seal in the world that's unique to Lake Baikal. During the winter the temperature plummets and the lake completely freezes over for approximately two months each year. During the summer, many visitors choose to take boat tours out on the lake. Lake Baikal is ringed by stunning mountain scenery and forests that are home to bears, elk, lynx, and sables. Lake Baikal has been protected as a natural park since 1992 and is a popular trekking destination famed for its natural beauty.
Contact Addresses
For more information about Lake Baikal, contact the Russian National Tourist Office (see Tourist Information above).
Transportation
Air: Irkutzk International Airport. Water: Ferry services and boat excursions on Lake Baikal. Rail: Train: Irkutzk Station. Road: Bus: Public services.
Location
Russia
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