Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana is a large, mostly saline lake situated in the East African Rift Valley, primarily in northern Kenya with its northern tip extending into Ethiopia. It spans a massive surface area of roughly 6,405 square kilometers. Due to its remote desert location, it is often referred to as the "Jade Sea" due to its striking blue-green color.

The surrounding Lake Turkana basin is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world, often called the "Cradle of Mankind." Fossil discoveries in the area, particularly around Koobi Fora, have provided crucial evidence of early human ancestors spanning millions of years. Notable finds include the nearly complete skeleton of "Turkana Boy," a Homo erectus youth.

No, Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake and is highly alkaline and saline. Although it is fed primarily by the freshwater Omo River from Ethiopia, it has no river outlet, so water escapes only through evaporation. This process leaves behind high concentrations of minerals and salts.

Despite its alkaline waters, Lake Turkana supports a thriving fishery, most notably huge populations of Nile perch and tilapia. The lake also hosts endemic species like the Turkana tilapia, which have adapted to the highly saline conditions. Fishing provides a vital source of protein for indigenous communities like the Turkana and El Molo people.