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Great Lakes of Eurasia Europe – Asia: Caspian Sea Asia: Aral Sea Asia: Lake Baikal

Great Lakes of Eurasia Europe – Asia: Caspian Sea Asia: Aral Sea Asia: Lake Baikal

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Great Lakes of EurasiaEurope – Asia: Caspian Sea

Asia: Aral SeaAsia: Lake Baikal

Complete map of Eurasia….label the lakes (seas) and countries surrounding each.

Great Lakes of Eurasia

Where is the largest body of freshwater located?

The Great Lakes in N. America cover a land area of about 95,000 square miles.

The first lake we will talk about today covers 11,800 square miles

This lake covers 9 x less land but contains more water.

Great Lakes of Eurasia

Lake Baikal (bike al) is a rift valley lake.

This lake is located in the country of Russia and the continent of Asia.

It is a VERY deep lake.

The bottom of the lake is 6,300 feet below the surface and 5,135 feet below sea level.

It is over 1 mile deep in some places

Lake Baikal

1,085 species of plants and 1,550 species and varieties of animals.

Wild game reserves and parks surround the lake

People, Wildlife and Industry of Lake Baikal

“The Pearl of Siberia" is a great treasure to Russia

Timber companies create lumber and paper along the lake Ships are built on the lake

Unfortunately, timber companies leave few trees

Railroads along the lake connect mines and industries

People, Wildlife and Industry of Lake Baikal

The word “bai” means “wealthy” and “kul” means “lake”

The traditions and customs of the lake people is a mix of traditional beliefs, Buddhism and orthodox Christianity customs.

People, Wildlife and Industry of Lake Baikal

Buryats (buryet) believe that there are Spirits who live near us and every mountain and river has it’s own one.

People, Wildlife and Industry of Lake Baikal

How is the Caspian Sea a lake but called a sea? Perhaps the salt water

When water evaporates from the Caspian Sea, it leaves behind salt and other minerals. Freshwater does come into the Caspian Sea

from many freshwater lakes and streams

Caspian Sea

Located in a very dry climate

Used for transportation and trade

Very large

Oil deposits have made the sea even more valuable

Caspian Sea

This lake has shrunk by 75% in the past few decades

In 1960, it was the 4th largest lake in the world.

The sea level has dropped more than 50 feet.

It is now the 10th largest lake in the world

Aral Sea

Why has the lake shrunk?

Russia has diverted its waters to water their cotton crop

A planned canal to help with guided water was never built.

Aral Sea

How has the shrinking lake affected the people who live around it?

No more fisherman

Tourists have vanished

It has become a ghost town.

Five central Asian nations are affected by the changes to the sea.

Aral Sea