What is Lake Tanganyika and why is it significant?

Lake Tanganyika is a freshwater lake located in East Africa, bordered by Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the second deepest lake in the world and the second largest lake by volume, holding about 18% of the world's freshwater. The lake is approximately 673 km long, 50 km wide, and up to 1,470 m deep.

Lake Tanganyika is one of the African Great Lakes and is known for its incredible biodiversity. The lake is home to more than 1,500 species of plants and animals, with over 600 of them found nowhere else on Earth. The lake's unique ecosystem also includes an estimated 250 species of cichlid fish, making it an important location for studying the evolution of aquatic species.

The lake is also significant for its role in the region's history and economy. It has served as a major transportation route for centuries, connecting communities along its shores and providing access to the Congo River and Atlantic Ocean. The lake's fisheries are an important source of food and income for the surrounding communities and the global market.