The largest dam in the world is the Three Gorges Dam, located in China on the Yangtze River. It is a gravity dam, which means that it is held up by its own weight rather than by buoyancy. The dam is 2,335 feet (714 meters) tall and 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) long. The reservoir created by the dam is the largest artificial lake in the world, with a capacity of 1.2 trillion cubic feet (34 billion cubic meters).

The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydroelectric power station, with a total installed capacity of 22,500 megawatts. It generates an average of 95 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power about 100 million homes. The dam also helps to control flooding and improve navigation on the Yangtze River.

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam was a massive undertaking. It took more than 10 years to complete, and it displaced more than 1.2 million people. The dam has also had a significant impact on the environment, including the flooding of cultural and historical sites.

Despite the controversy surrounding its construction, the Three Gorges Dam is a marvel of engineering and a major source of renewable energy. It is a testament to the power of human ingenuity, and it will continue to be a major source of power for China for many years to come.

Here are the top 5 largest dams in the world, ranked by structural volume:

1. Tarbela Dam (Pakistan) - 106 million cubic meters
2. Fort Peck Dam (United States) - 95 million cubic meters
3. Atatürk Dam (Turkey) - 85 million cubic meters
4. Houtribdijk (Netherlands) - 78 million cubic meters
5. Sardar Sarovar Dam (India) - 77 million cubic meters

These dams are all massive structures that have had a significant impact on the environment and the people who live nearby. They are also important sources of water and hydroelectric power.