Peipsi

Peipsi, known in Estonian as Peipsi järv, is a large freshwater lake located on the border between Estonia and Russia. Its northern shore lies in Estonia and its southern shore in Russia. The lake drains via the Narva River into the Gulf of Finland, part of the Baltic Sea basin. With an area of about 3,550 square kilometers, it is one of Europe’s larger lakes and a significant geographic feature of the Baltic region.

Geographically, Peipsi is an elongated lake, roughly 135 kilometers long and up to about 60 kilometers wide. It has a relatively shallow profile, with average depths around 7 to 9 meters and a maximum depth near 15 meters. The shoreline is irregular, featuring bays, peninsulas, and several islands, the most notable Estonian island being Piirissaar in the southern part of the lake.

Historically and culturally, Peipsi has played an important role in the region. In 1242, the Battle on the Ice occurred on the ice of Lake Peipus, where forces led by Alexander Nevsky defeated the Livonian Order, a event often cited as a turning point in medieval northeastern Europe. The lake has long supported local fishing communities and, more recently, tourism and recreation.

Environmental and economic aspects continue to shape the area. Peipsi supplies freshwater, supports fish species such as vendace and pike, and hosts nearby nature reserves. Its waters have faced eutrophication pressures, prompting conservation and management efforts to balance ecological health with regional livelihoods.