Lanao, also known as the wound - the largest lake in Mindanao, located in the province of South Lanao. The total area of ​​the lake - 340 square kilometers, the length - 33 km, width - 20 km. The maximum depth of the lake - 112 meters, average - 60, 3 meters. Lanao considered one of the 15 oldest lakes in the world. Another feature is its location at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level. In the low-lying and flat shores of Lanao spread rice farming.

4 into the lake river, and follows only one - Agus, which then flows into the Gulf of Iligan. The river is notable for beautiful waterfalls Maria Cristina, which is sometimes called "twin waterfalls." It also built hydroelectric power plant, which provides up to 70% of the electricity needs of residents of Mindanao.

Lanao is the subject of many myths and legends of local tribes "Maranao" - the name of the tribe means "people living on the shores of the lake." In the myths of the origin of the lake as described: once upon a time the angels led by Archangel Gabriel moved the inhabitants of one city to another place, that the world is not overturned by overpopulation. However, the void was soon filled with water, which flooded nearly the rest of the world. To avert disaster, the angels called to the aid of the four elements that they make a hole, and the water flowed - so formed Lake Lanao and Agus River.

In 1992 the lake was declared watershed reserve - which means that the vegetation on its banks, and runoff are under special protection for water hydropower plants, irrigation systems and agriculture. The area of ​​the reserve - 153 thousand hectares. On its territory you can find a great variety of flora and fauna species, including several species of carp fish that are endemic to the lake. In the early 1980s ucheny were concerned that these species are on the verge of extinction due to the negative impact of hydropower plants and the introduction of alien species. Thus, due to the appearance in the waters of Lake white calves carp population has decreased significantly - from 18 species today there are only 5.