Lakes ( Geography)

1. What are lakes? Write about its features and classifisation.

Ans:  Lakes are those static bodies of water on the land surface which are surrounded by lands on all sides and are always located on the land surface.

Generally , lakes are found in the following regions -

a) humid regions

b) glaciated regions

c) flood - p;ain areas 

d) sea coastal areas 

e) rift valley zones etc. 

Lakes are abundantly found in -

a) the high latitude areas of North America 

b) South America 

c) Western europe 

d) rift valley zones of east africa.

Characteristic features of lakes :

a) Lakes are variables and change with time.

b) Some lakes are found at higher heights , whereas some lakes are found in below sea level.

c) Some lakes are characterised by greater depth , whereas many of the lakes are very shallow.

d) Lake range in areal extent from a tiny tarn glacial lake having an areal extent of a few square metres.

e) Salinity , example - salt lakes.

There are mainly two favourable conditions required for the origin and development of lakes. They are - 

1) Suitable places where water may collect and may remain stationary .

2) There should be proper and regular supply of water .

Classification of lakes: 

1. On the basis of salinity:

a) Freshwater lake

b) Saline lakes 

2. On the basis of mode of origin:

a) Glacial lakes

b) Fluvially originated lake

c) aeolian lake

d) Volcanic lakes 

e) Diastrophic lakes 

f) lakes formed by groundwater 

g) periglacial lakes 

h) anthropogenic lakes