The definition of "Lake" according to Indonesian dictionary is a vast pool of water and is surrounded by land. The lake has various benefits for human life, besides as a source of water, the lake can also be functioned into various economic activities such as Irrigation, Transportation, Fisheries, Hydropower (PLTA), tourist attraction and flood control.
The Largest Lake in Indonesia is Lake Toba located in North Sumatera Province of Sumatra Island with its surface area about 1.130km2. Inside Lake Toba there is an island called Samosir Island. Lake Toba is also the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Currently Lake Toba has been developed into a tourist attraction that is able to attract domestic and foreign tourists. While the Inner Lake in Indonesia is Lake Matano located in South Sulawesi Province with maximum depth is 590m. Lake Matano is also the deepest Lake in Southeast Asia and the eighth deepest Lake in the World.
- Lake Matano (164, 1 km2)
Next on the fifth of the ten largest lakes in Indonesia is Lake Matano. This lake measuring 164, 1 km2 with a depth of 590 meters. It can be said that Lake Matano is included in the deepest lake in Indonesia. The location of Lake Mantano is located in South Sulawesi Province, precisely in east Luwu regency. The lake's water surface is at an altitude of 382 meters above sea level so that the water depth of the lake from the sea level is 208 meters. This lake is designated as a natural park by the local government (read: Understanding Nature Parks). The type of Lake Matano is a tectonic lake.
- Lake Sentarum (275 km2)
The fourth order of the ten largest lakes in Indonesia is Sentranum Lake located in West Kalimantan Province, precisely in Kapuas Hulu District. The area of the lake is about 275 km2 with a relatively shallow depth of only 8 meters. Lake Sentarum is included in a seasonal lake where water can recede if there is no rain. The Government of West Kalimantan Province designated Sentranum Lake as a national park in 1999 (read: Understanding National Parks). Same with the previous lakes, this lake is also included in the type of lake floodplain.
- Lake Poso (323.2 km2)
In the top three there is Lake Poso located in Central Sulawesi Province. Lake Poso is very spacious and very deep. The area of this lake reaches 323.2 km2, while the depth reaches 450 meters. With the charm of white sand, this tectonic lake used as a tourist and already has complete facilities. Tourists can stay at the hotel and enjoy a meal in the restaurant located in the vicinity of the lake. The water ecosystem in this lake becomes a breeding ground for various types of freshwater fish (read: Lake ecosystem). For example fish mujair, carp, patchouli and catfish. The existence of commonly consumed fish is also very beneficial for the people who live around the lake (read: Lake Function and How to Maintain Lake Sustainability).
- Lake Towuti (561, 1 km2)
In the second position of the ten largest lakes in Indonesia is Lake Towuti. The lake is located in South Sulawesi Province, precisely in District Towuti- East Luwu regency. The lake is no deeper than Lake Poso has an area of 561.1 km2. This type of lake is a tectonic lake. Like the previous lake, Lake Towuti serve as a natural tourist attraction and managed by Natural Resources Conservation Center working under the Ministry of Forestry (read: Abiotic Natural Resources and Water Resources Conservation). Lake Towuti also has 5 charming islands in the middle of a vast lake of Loeha Island, Pulau Bolong, and Twin Island.
- Lake Toba (1. 130 km2)
The largest lake in Indonesia is Lake Toba. With an area of more than a thousand square kilometers and a depth of 529 meters, this lake deserves to be ranked first of the ten largest lake in Indonesia. Even included in the largest lake in Southeast Asia. The lake is located in North Sumatra Province has a legend that is very famous from generation to generation. Lake Toba is formed from volcanic eruptions (read: Understanding Vulkanisme), so it is included in the type of volcanic lake (read: Characteristics of Volcanic Lake). In the middle of the lake there is also a volcanic island called Samosir Island. The beauty of Lake Toba and Samosirnya Island became an attraction and visited by many local and foreign tourists.
Thus the discussion about the largest lake in Indonesia. Hopefully become additional knowledge and reference of the sights for readers.