Russia: The Country with the Most Lakes and Rivers

Russia holds the world record for freshwater resources:

• Lakes: Over 2 million (including Lake Baikal—deepest, oldest, largest by volume, holding ~20% of Earth's unfrozen fresh water).
• Rivers: More than 100,000 rivers, including the Volga (Europe's longest), Lena, Ob, Yenisey, Amur (Siberian giants), and Kolyma, Indigirka (Arctic).

This abundance stems from Russia's vast land area (17M km²), low evaporation (cold climate), permafrost trapping water, and massive Siberian drainage basins. These waterways are vital for transport, hydroelectricity, fisheries, and global climate regulation.