![this is the shore near Bukhta Peschanaya [Sand Bay]](http://hujev.net/image/peshbay.jpg)
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Superlatives:
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area, km2:
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31 500
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volume, km3:
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23 500
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maximum depth, m:
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1637
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elevation, m asl:
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456
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watershed, km2:
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566 000
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shoreline, km:
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2 200
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length, km:
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635
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width max, km:
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79
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age in years:
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2-20 million
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watershed population:
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3 600 000
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replacement time:
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450 years
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mictism:
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dimictic
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trophism:
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oligotrophic
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Lake
Baikal is the largest volume of pure water in the
world. This is the oldest lake on the
planet, and was formed by great forces which tore the
earth's crust apart. It has remarkably clear water,
and up to 6km of sediments on its floor. |
|
| The world is wonderful. |
| It is hard to resist repeating: how good it is that we have Baikal! Powerful, opulent, majestic, beauty upon radiance, regal and dignified, untamed; how good it is that we have this! | |
| - Valentin Rasputin (Baikal, 1990) |
| ... ice creaks, a hidden birds rustles her wings, and then we are asleep. | ||
| - Vasilii Peskov (Otechestvo, 1974) |
© 2004 by Robert
Liebermann