Lake in the Great Rift Valley, 375 m/1,230 ft above sea level, with its northernmost end in Ethiopia and the rest in Kenya; area 8,000 sq km/3,100 sq mi. It is saline, and shrinking by evaporation. Its shores were an early human hunting ground, and valuable remains have been found that are accurately datable because of undisturbed stratification.
The Union Jack signifies the islands' wish to preserve links with Britain. The nine stars representing the islands are placed according to their locations. Effective date: 11 April 1997.