Lake Ladoga

Lake Ladoga was once part of a marine channel between the Baltic and White Seas during the Last Interglacial.

The lake has an average surface area of 17,891 km2, slightly larger than Kuwait.

Lake Ladoga is home to an endemic subspecies of ringed seal known as the Ladoga seal.

The ancient Valaam Monastery on the largest island of Lake Ladoga was abandoned between 1611 and 1715.

During World War II, Lake Ladoga provided the only access to the besieged city of Leningrad.