There are millions of lakes around the world and humans used them as one of the main sources for drinking water, irrigation and transportation. Apart from their importance in daily life of humans lakes are home to plenty of aquatic plants and animals. At the same time the different coloration of water, clarity and wildlife support by them makes lakes to one of the wonders of nature. Here the list of 10 most beautiful lakes in the world.
10 Lake Matheson, South Westland, New Zealand
The lake matheson is one of the most scenic locations in New Zealand. It is located in South Westland of New Zealand, a few kilometers near the popular Fox Glacier. Matheson lake is known for offering a stunning mirror view of two highest peaks of New Zealand called Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. The brown colored water of the lake is actually result in its reflecting property. The unusual color of Matheson lake is due to draining of organic matters from the nearby ancient forest.
The lake Matheson was formed about 14000 years ago by the glaciation of fox glacier. The waters of Matheson lake also very calm during day time. It plays a major role in brilliant mirror view of mountains in the lake. The lake is home to long finned eels and many water birds. Apart from the mirror view of mountains visitors can also see a wide variety of plants around the lake Matheson.
9 Lake Pehoe, Magallanes, Chile
The lake pehoe is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Patagonia of Chile. It is located in spectacular Torres del Paine national park in Southern Chile. Pehoe lake is famed for its turquoise water and beautiful surroundings. The lake is fed by Paine river and linked to Nordenskjold lake. The site also has abundant wildlife, world class trekking routes, glaciers and magnificent forests.
8 Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir,India
The beautiful Dal lake in Srinagar city is referred as ‘Jewel in the crown of Kashmir’. The three sides of this Himalayan urban lake are surrounded by ice-capped mountains. The 15 kilometers long shoreline of Dal lake is lined lush gardens. These attractive gardens built by Mughal era also intensify the beauty of Dal lake. The Dal lake is also the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir with an area of 22 square kilometers.
The lake also includes floating garden, especially lotus flowers. The beauty and quiet waters of Dal lake attract thousands of visitors every year. There is also facility of small house boasts named ‘shikaras’ for the tourists to explore the exotic beauty of Dal lake.The shikaras of Dal lake found as a cultural symbol of Srinagar. During winter season the waters of Dal lake freezes and form thick ice sheets.
7 Lake Manasarovar, Western Tibet
Lake Manasarovar is the highest freshwater lake in the world. This holy lake is located in Western Tibet, about 4590 meters above sea level. Lake Manasarovar is also one of the important pilgrimage centers of Buddhists and Hindus. According to Hindu tradition Manasarovar was created by Lord Brahma and waters of this lake have power to bring the salvation. The lake Manasarovar is also considered as an epitome of purity.
The lake Manasarovar is almost in round shape and has a circumference of 88 kilometers. Around the shores the water is in clear blue color and in the center the color changes to deep green. The crystal clear waters of Lake Manasarovar brings mirror like reflection of Mount Kailash and that view is just unbelievable. The Spring season is the best time to visit lake Manasarovar. During this season the visitors can feel cool and pleasant climate in Lake Manasarovar.
6 Maligne Lake, Alberta, Canada
The magnificent Maligne lake located in Jasper national park of Alberta is the largest glacial lake of the Canadian Rockies. The 22 kilometers long Maligne lake famed for vivid blue colored water. The surreal site also comprises ice-capped mountains, three glaciers and popular Spirit Island. The tiny Spirit Island surrounded by the brilliant colored waters of Maligne lake make pure photogenic nature. The Spirit Island is also one of the most photographed islands in the world. The Spirit Island also regarded as a symbol of the Canadian Rockies.
The visitors can hire boats, sea kayaks and cruises to explore the full beauty of Maligne lake, Spirit Island and surrounding places. The famous trekking in steep slopes in surrounding woodlands also bring stunning views. The Maligne valley is also home to rich wilderness. In the summer season it is possible to see grizzly bear, mule deer, wolves, moose and mountain sheep neat the lake
5 Five-flower Lake, Sichuan, China
The five-flower lake is regarded as the pride of Jiuzhaigou national park in Northern Sichuan of China. There are 108 multi-colored lakes in the Jiuzhaigou national park and the five-flower lake look more colorful and beautiful. This shallow lake reflects different colors including azure blue, dark green and light yellow. The magical coloration of five-flower lake sue to the mineral deposit, algae and aquatic plants. There also can see many ancient tree trunks through crystal clear waters of five-flower lake. During the fall the color of surrounding forest changes to yellow, light orange and red. It makes spectacular view in the Jiuzhaigou national park.
4 Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia
The magnificent Baikal lake located in Southeastern Siberia is the oldest and deepest freshwater lake in the world. It formed around 25-30 million years ago and has a depth of 1.6 kilometers. The crescent shaped lake stretches more than 636 kilometers from North to South and contains 20% of world’s unfrozen fresh water.
Lake Baikal is also home to 2500 species of animals and 100 species of plants. Most of this unusual fresh water faunas are found only at Lake Baikal. Considering the rick biodiversity UNESCO recognized Lake Baikal as a world heritage site in 1996. Lake Baikal is also surrounded by mountains, boreal forests,tundra and Islands.
3 Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada
The breathtakingly beautiful Peyto lake is located at an elevation of 1860 meters in the Canadian Rockies. Peyto lake is a part of Banff national park, The oldest national park in Canada.The waters of this glacier-fed lake displays bright turquoise color. It is a result of mixing of rock flour in water that flow from Peyto glacier. The visitors can get the best view of Peyto lake from the bow summit trail in icefileds parkway highway. Around the lake you can see majestic mountains, deep valleys and beautiful flowers.
2 Plitvice Lakes, Central Croatia
The Plitvice lakes national park is a world heritage site and the most popular tourist attraction of Croatia. This incredible national park comprises woodlands, lakes, caves and waterfalls in a vast area of 300 square kilometers. It is the deposition of minerals result in the formation of natural dams that separate the lakes and this process still continue. Out of 20 stunning lakes 16 are interconnected by a series of waterfalls. The mixing of mineral also offers brilliant turquoise coloration to the lakes of Plitvice national park. The color of the lakes also changes in accordance with the amount of minerals in water.
The lakes of Plitvice national park are located in two different sections. Most of large lakes are located in the upper part o the national park and the lakes in lower part small and shallow. In surrounding places visitors can see thick forests and rich wildlife. This national park is home to wolf, eagle owl, European brown bear and 126 species of birds. During Winter season the lakes and waterfalls get freezes and higher water volume in the national park can be seen during Spring and Fall.
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1 Melissani Cave Lake, Cephalonia, Greece
The Melissani cave lake is one of the natural wonders of Greece, located in Cephalonia Island. The Melissani cave was formed by dissolution of rocks and water enter into the cavities. The continuous action of water over rocks result in formation of hollows and an underground lake millions of years ago. The Melissani cave lake contains both sea and fresh water and has a depth of 20-30 meters.
There is also a large opening in the roof of Melissani cave. At noon time the striking of direct Sunlight in the turquoise waters create a magical illumination in the whole cave. Many artifacts and a number of figures of Nymphs (Greek mythological figure) by archaeologists during excavations back in 1951 from the small Island in the lake. There are also many stalactite formations inside the Melissani cave.
