Lake Ladoga is the largest lake entirely in Europe, and the 14th largest freshwater lake by area in the world. it is located in the Republic of Karelia and Leningrad Oblast in northwestern Russia just outside the outskirts of Saint Petersburg.The average depth is 51 m, although it reaches a maximum of 230 m in the north-western part.
There are around 660 islands, with a total area of about 435 km².
Ladoga is, on average, 5 m above sea level.
Most of the islands, including the famous Valaam archipelago, Kilpola and Konevets, are situated in the northwest of the lake.
Separated from the Baltic Sea by the Karelian Isthmus, it drains into the Gulf of Finland via the Neva River.
Lake Ladoga is navigable, being a part of the Volga-Baltic Waterway connecting the Baltic Sea with the Volga River. The Ladoga Canal bypasses the lake in the southern part, connecting the Neva to the Svir.
