What is the difference between a lake and mere?

The terms "lake" and "mere" are often used interchangeably, but there are some subtle differences between the two.

Lake

* A lake is a large body of water surrounded by land.

* Lakes are usually freshwater bodies, but there are also saltwater lakes.

* Lakes can be natural or man-made.

Mere

* A mere is a smaller body of water than a lake.

* Meres are usually found in England and Scotland.

* Meres are often shallow and have a marshy shoreline.

In general, lakes are larger and deeper than meres, and they can be found in a wider variety of locations. Meres are more common in specific regions, such as England and Scotland, and they tend to be smaller and shallower than lakes.