Lake Tanganyika is outstanding for its extraordinary north-south extension (670km) and depth (1470 m). It is the second deepest and the longest in the world and it is also estimated to be the second oldest lake in the world after the Lake Baikal. The surrounding areas are mostly mountainous with poorly developed coastal plains except on part of the east side. There exist well developed regular ship lines between coastal towns. The enormous depth and tropical location of the lake prevent “turnover” of water masses, which means that the lower depths are lacking oxygen.