Water Bodies - Vivid Maps

The Caspian Sea is the largest lake on Earth at 386,000 km² (149,000 mi²). Lake Paratethys, which existed twelve million years ago between the Alps and Kazakhstan, covered 2.8 million km², more than seven times that size. It held more water than every modern lake combined, had its own miniature whale species, and eventually broke apart into the Caspian, the Black Sea, and the Aral Sea.

Water Bodies

December 12, 2025 Alex

The Great Islands Map

Five years ago, I made a stylized Great Islands map. Recently I found Stephen Kennedy’s version, and it got me thinking about what actually lives in these lakes. When you see them as islands, you remember they’re not just water—they’re ecosystems packed with life.

Most powerful rivers in the world mapped

Water Bodies

November 22, 2025 Alex

Continental Runoff and River Discharge

Water resources on our planet follow uneven paths. The Amazon River alone moves more water than the next seven largest rivers combined.

Environment maps Water Bodies

May 29, 2025 Alex

Groundwater Resources: Distribution, Recharge Dynamics, and Environmental Challenges

Groundwater might be out of sight, but it’s central to everything from farming to clean drinking water. This post dives into where it’s found, how it moves, and why managing it wisely is becoming more urgent in a changing climate.

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May 22, 2024 Alex

Exploring the Rivers and Basins of North America

The rivers of North America are diverse and dynamic, ranging from the mighty Mississippi and its extensive basin to the vast, icy waters of the Mackenzie. They shape the continent’s landscapes, support rich ecosystems, and serve as crucial resources for human activities. These rivers vary greatly in length, flow rate, and basin size, reflecting the continent’s wide range of climates and geographies.

Water Bodies

September 17, 2022 Alex

World Map of Ocean Salinity

Dive into the salty world of ocean salinity! This post explores how salt concentrations vary across our planet’s seas, featuring world maps that reveal fascinating patterns. Learn about the saltiest bodies of water, how salinity has changed over time, and why this matters for our planet’s climate and ecosystems.

Water Bodies

August 7, 2022 Alex

The lost rivers of London

London was historically crisscrossed by numerous rivers and streams that played a crucial role in its development and growth. However, as the city expanded, many of rivers were covered, redirected, or built over. It is estimated that there were about 20 significant rivers that have been covered or built over in London.

Water Bodies

May 17, 2021 Alex

The 50 largest water bodies are ranked by size

71% of the surface of our planet is covered in water, with 96.5 percent of that being the world ocean. There are 5 oceans, more than 177 million lakes, and 76 rivers that are more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) long.

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December 7, 2020 Alex

Maps of the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are the most extensive freshwater system globally (94,600 sq mi / 244,000 sq km). The Lakes contain 5,400 cu mi (22,500 cu km) of surface freshwater on earth or 6 quadrillion gallons of freshwater (22.7 quadrillion liters), accounting for about 21% of the world’s surface freshwater or 84% of North America’s surface freshwater.

Using Digital Elevation Model data, I made the map of the Great Lakes in watercolor style.

Water Bodies

January 24, 2018 Alex

Water Area per U.S. Census Tract

States like Michigan have an abundance of water resources, while others like New Mexico have very little. This is revealed by a thorough analysis of U.S. Census Tracts. This distribution affects the quality of the water and presents problems for water management in the future.