Views of the Earth

The Albertine Rift

This view shows the lakes of the western branch of the Great African Rift Valley, from foreground to background Lake Tanganyika, Lake Kivu, Lake Edward and Lake Albert. Between Lake Edward and Lake Kivu the Virunga volcanos can be seen which separate the southern lakes that drain into the Congo river to the west from the northern lakes which drain northward into the Nile. Between Lake Albert and Lake Edward in the background the Rwenzori Mountains can be seen with their snow covered highest peaks.