List of lakes of Georgia (country) facts for kids
Lakes are amazing natural pools of water, usually surrounded by land. They are different from oceans because their water doesn't flow out to sea directly. Some lakes are huge, while others are small ponds. Georgia, a beautiful country in the Caucasus region, has many lakes. In Georgian, the word for "lake" is tba (Georgian: ტბა). These lakes are important for nature, animals, and even for people to enjoy.
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Georgia's Biggest Lakes
Georgia is home to many lakes, some of which are quite large. When we talk about how big a lake is, we often look at its surface area. This is the total space the lake covers on the ground. We also look at its maximum depth, which is how deep the lake is at its deepest point. Another interesting fact is its height above sea level, which tells us how high up in the mountains or low near the coast the lake is located.
Paravani Lake
Paravani Lake is the largest lake in Georgia. It covers a huge area of 37.5 square kilometers. Imagine a square that's about 6 kilometers on each side – that's how big it is! Even though it's very wide, it's not very deep, only about 3.3 meters at its deepest. This lake is found high up in the mountains, at 2,073 meters above sea level, in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
Kartsakhi Lake
The second largest lake is Kartsakhi Lake, with a surface area of 26.3 square kilometers. It's also quite shallow, only 1 meter deep. This lake is located at 1,799 meters above sea level, also in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
Paliastomi Lake
Paliastomi Lake is special because it's located below sea level! Its height is -0.3 meters, meaning it's slightly lower than the ocean. It covers 18.2 square kilometers and is 3.2 meters deep. You can find this lake in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, close to the Black Sea coast.
Tabatskuri Lake
Tabatskuri Lake is the fourth largest, covering 14.2 square kilometers. What makes it stand out is its depth – it's 40.2 meters deep, making it one of the deeper large lakes. It's also high up in the mountains, at 1,991 meters above sea level, in Samtskhe-Javakheti.
Khanchali Lake
Another large lake in Samtskhe-Javakheti is Khanchali Lake. It has a surface area of 13.3 square kilometers but is very shallow, only 0.7 meters deep. It sits at 1,928 meters above sea level.
Jandari Lake
Jandari Lake is 10.6 square kilometers in size and 7.2 meters deep. It's located at a much lower elevation compared to many other large lakes, at 291 meters above sea level, in the Kvemo Kartli region.
Ritsa Lake
While not among the very largest by surface area (1.5 square kilometers), Ritsa Lake is famous for being incredibly deep. It plunges down to 101 meters, making it the deepest lake in this list! It's located at 884 meters above sea level in the Abkhazia region.
Keli Lake
Keli Lake is another high-altitude lake, sitting at 2,914 meters above sea level. It covers 1.3 square kilometers and is very deep, reaching 63 meters. You can find it in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region.
Bazaleti Lake
Bazaleti Lake is a beautiful lake covering 1.2 square kilometers. It's 7 meters deep and is located at 878 meters above sea level, also in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region.
Other Interesting Lakes
Besides the largest ones, Georgia has many other lakes that are popular or unique.
- Lisi Lake is a smaller lake located near the capital city, Tbilisi. It's a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy nature.
- Turtle Lake (Tbilisi) is another well-known lake close to Tbilisi. Its name comes from its shape, which some say looks like a turtle. It's a great place for walks and outdoor activities.
