Rift Valley lakes

The Rift Valley lakes are a series of lakes in the East African Rift valley that runs through eastern Africa from Ethiopia in the north to Malawi in the south, and includes the African Great Lakes in the south. These include some of the world's oldest lakes, deepest lakes, largest lakes by area, and largest lakes by volume. Many are freshwater ecoregions of great biodiversity, while others are alkaline "soda lakes" supporting highly specialised organisms.   The Rift Valley lakes are well known for the evolution of at least 800 cichlid fish species that live in their waters. More species are expected to be discovered.[1]   The World Wide Fund for Nature has designated these lakes as one of its Global 200 priority ecoregions for conservation.[citation needed]   In this article, the major lakes are listed, generally in order from north to south, and more detailed articles on each lake can be accessed through the linked names.