Geographers at McGill University (Canada) created this list based on natural lakes that are at least 10 hectares big. Small ponds or man-made lakes were not counted. So, countries like Finland might not be on top, even though they have many small lakes.
🇨🇦 Canada – 879,800 lakes
More than half of the world’s lakes are in Canada. Whether you’re in Alberta, Ontario, or Yukon, lakes are everywhere. Visit Moraine Lake or go deep into the wild—perfect for nature lovers.
🇷🇺 Russia – 201,200 lakes
Russia’s huge size means it has thousands of lakes. The most famous is Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest and oldest freshwater lake. It even has see-through ice in winter!
🇺🇸 United States – 102,500 lakes
From the Great Lakes to mountain lakes in Colorado, the US is full of lakes. Minnesota is called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but it actually has more!
🇨🇳 China – 23,800 lakes
China’s lakes are beautiful and spiritual—like Namtso Lake in Tibet or Poyang Lake in the southeast.
🇸🇪 Sweden – 22,600 lakes
Sweden has big lakes and deep traditions. People love canoeing, swimming, and relaxing by the lake in summer.
🇧🇷 Brazil – 20,900 lakes
While famous for rivers, Brazil has thousands of lakes in the Amazon and Pantanal. These areas are full of animals and birds.
🇳🇴 Norway – 20,000 lakes
Norway has glacial lakes and hidden mountain pools. People love wild swimming and hiking here.
🇦🇷 Argentina – 13,600 lakes
Argentina’s lakes stretch from the Andes mountains to Patagonia. Lake Nahuel Huapi is great for fishing, kayaking, or sipping wine by the water.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes
Lakes in Kazakhstan are often in dry regions. Lake Balkhash is special because half is freshwater and half is salty!
🇦🇺 Australia – 11,400 lakes
Most Australian lakes are dry or salty, but they’re still amazing. Lake Eyre fills with water only sometimes but becomes stunning when it does.
Whether you love swimming, fishing, or just enjoying quiet views, these lake-filled countries are perfect for slow, peaceful travel. Just pack your swimsuit and don’t forget mosquito spray!
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