The 15 countries with the most lakes in the world

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Lake-studded countries are the ultimate destination for adventure junkies, sports enthusiasts, and landscape lovers alike.

From high-altitude lakes with glacier-fed waters, to rugged lakes with beautiful mountain scenery—there really is something for everyone. They are also essential for water supply and biodiversity, and each one contains its own fascinating history.

But which country has the most? With one nation being home to over 800,000 of them, click on to find out the top 15!

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Columbia boasts an incredible 3,250 lakes, the largest of which is Lake Tota. Like most lakes in Colombia, it is a high-altitude lake and sits at an elevation of 3,015 meters (9,892 feet) in the stunning landscape of the Andes.

14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Despite being one of Europe's smallest countries, Switzerland is home to 7,000 lakes and holds 6% of Europe's fresh water reserves. As well as being famously beautiful, these lakes are also a crucial source of hydroelectric power.

13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

The largest of Belarus‘ many lakes is Lake Narach, which became famous for the unsuccessful Russian offensive on the Eastern Front in World War I, which was aptly called ‘The Lake Naroch Offensive.’ Now, however, it forms a beautiful national park.

12. Australia – 11,400 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Australia may be famed for its oceans, but it also boasts an incredible 11,400 lakes. Ranging from freshwater to saltwater, they are used not only for recreation but also for ecological conservation.

11. Peru – 12,000 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Peru is home to the highest accessible lake in the world: Lake Titicaca. And although this is the most famous of Peru’s lakes, the country boasts thousands more glacial wonders that you can witness if you brave the high altitudes.

10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Kazakhstan is home to the Caspian Sea, which, despite the name, is actually a lake. It is also the world’s largest enclosed inland body of water and hosts over 130 fish species, including sturgeon, which the country has been instrumental in spawning. 

9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Argentina’s lakes are often glacial, with Nahuel Huapi and Lago Argentino being among the most famous. As is typical of lakes in the country, they are surrounded by stunning landscapes and are popular for tourism, fishing, and outdoor activities.

8. Norway – 20,000 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Norway’s most famous lakes are located in the most mountainous regions of the country. Formed through glaciers, they are notoriously deep, clear, and cold, making them perfect for particularly brave swimmers (or ice skaters when they freeze over in the winter!).

6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Sweden is well known for the country's bounty of beautiful glacier lakes, including Lake Hjälmaren and Lake Torneträsk. Lake Mälaren, in particular, is known for its magical location between unique islands and historic castles.

5. China – 23,800 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

China’s vast water reserves include huge saltwater lakes, and the largest is Qinghai Lake. At an incredible 4,489 square kilometers (1,733 square miles), it is known as the “Turquoise Sea” and is home to some very unique wildlife. 

4. United States – 102,500 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

In fourth place is the US, with over 100,000 lakes. These include the Great Lakes, which are the largest freshwater system in the world, although Lake Michigan is technically the only Great Lake entirely within the United States and not Canada. 

3. Finland – 188,000 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Finland is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," and to be precise, it has 188,000! The largest lake in Finland is Saimaa, with an area of 4,400 square kilometers (1,699 square miles), however, some of the smallest are no bigger than 500 square meters (5,382 square feet).

2. Russia – 201,200 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

As the largest country in the world, it’s no surprise that Russia is home to a large number of lakes. Amongst these are Lake Baikal, the deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world, and Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe.

1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

15. Colombia – 3,250 lakes, 14. Switzerland – 7,000 lakes, 13. Belarus – 11,000 lakes, 12. Australia – 11,400 lakes, 11. Peru – 12,000 lakes, 10. Kazakhstan – 12,400 lakes, 9. Argentina – 13,600 lakes, 8. Norway – 20,000 lakes, 6. Sweden – 22,600 lakes, 5. China – 23,800 lakes, 4. United States – 102,500 lakes, 3. Finland – 188,000 lakes, 2. Russia – 201,200 lakes, 1. Canada – 879,800 lakes

Canada’s lakes cover nearly 9% of the country’s total area and make up 60% of the lakes in the world. And the Great Lakes (Superior, Huron, Erie, Ontario, and Michigan) contain 18% of the world's fresh lake water. 

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