The gigantic ancient lake, bigger than all of the Great Lakes of North America combined, encompasses about 23% of the planet’s freshwater reserves and is home to over 2,000 species.
It is also the site of a bitter battle between the state, residents, and environmentalists trying to strike a balance between a population dependent on tourism and mass development infringing on a fragile ecosystem.
On seeing Baikal for the first time, it’s hard to believe it’s a lake. The crescent-shaped Baikal — 400 miles long and a mile deep — completely freezes in the winter, creating a mirror-like surface…
