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Lithuania is a country in Europe's Baltic region. Situated on the edge of the North European Plain and shaped by glaciers from the last ice age, the country's landscape features moderate lowlands and highlands. Lithuania contains about 6,000 lakes, which cover a combined area of approximately 950 km²聽and account for about 1.5% of the country鈥檚 total area. Most of these lakes are concentrated in the Baltic Highlands, near Lithuania鈥檚 border with Poland, Belarus, and Latvia. About 1,200 of Lithuania's lakes are supported only by groundwater, while others are fed and drained by rivers and streams. Most of the country鈥檚 lakes were formed by the retreat of the Wisconsin glacier thousands of years ago.

1. Lake Dr奴k拧iai

Lake Dr奴k拧iai is the largest lake in Lithuania, occupying an area of 44.8 km²聽and reaching a maximum depth of 33.3 m. The lake is located in the northeastern part of the country, and also extends into the Vitebsk Voblast, which is a region of Belarus. Six small rivers supply water to the lake, while one dammed river drains it.

2. Lake Dysnai

With an area of 24.39 km², Lake Dysnai is Lithuania鈥檚 second biggest lake. Located in the Ignalina District Municipality, it is one of Lithuania鈥檚 shallowest lakes, as it has an average depth of only 3 m and a maximum depth of 6 m. The Dysna River flows through Lake Dysnai, and serves as its primary outflow.

3. Lake Dusia

Lake Dusia is the third biggest lake in Lithuania in terms of surface area, and the biggest in Southern Lithuania. The lake is located in the Lazdijai District Municipality and covers an area of 23.34 km². The Sutr臈 River is Lake Dusia's primary inflow, and Spernia is its primary outflow. The lake has an average depth of 14.6 m and reaches a maximum depth of 32.4 m. During the winter, the lake remains covered in thick ice. However, approximately 18 species of fish inhabit Lake Dusia.

4. Lake Vi拧tytis

Located on the border between Lithuania and Russia,聽Lake Vi拧tytis is the fourth largest lake in Lithuania, as it covers聽an area of 17.9 km². Several rivers drain into the lake, while the Pissa River is its primary outflow.聽The Lithuanian side of the lake and its surrounding area are protected as part of Vi拧tytis Regional Park. Since the lake forms part of an international border, going beyond Lithuania's side of the lake is considered an illegal border crossing and can result in sanctions from border guards.

5. Lake Sartai

Lake Sartai occupies an area of 13.32 km²聽in northeastern Lithuania and ranks as the country鈥檚 fifth largest lake. The 艩ventoji River passes through the lake, acting as its primary inflow and outflow. Lake Sartai has a maximum depth of 20.9 m.

The Largest Artificial Lake in Lithuania

While the lakes listed above are natural bodies of water, the Kaunas Reservoir is Lithuania鈥檚 largest artificial lake. In fact, it is bigger than all of the country's natural lakes, encompassing an area of 63.5 km². The Kaunas Reservoir was created in 1959 by damming the Nemunas River, and the Kaunas Hydroelectric Power Plant is part of the damming project.