| Lake Tumba | |
|---|---|
 Seen from space (false color) | |
  Lake Tumba  Lake Tumba | |
| Coordinates | 0°50′S18°0′E / 0.833°S 18.000°E /-0.833; 18.000 |
| Basin countries | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Surface area | 500 km2 (193 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 6 m (20 ft) |
Lake Tumba (or Ntomba) is a shallow lake in northwestern part of theDemocratic Republic of the Congo, in theBikoro Territory of theProvince of Équateur.[1]
The lake covers about 765 square kilometres (295 sq mi) depending on the season, connected via the Irebu channel with theCongo River. Water may flow into or out of the lake through this channel depending on the floods. Lake Tumba has 114 species of fish and supports important fisheries.[2]The lake lies at the center of theTumba-Ngiri-Maindombe area, designated a Wetland of International Importance by theRamsar Convention in 2008.[3]
Lake Tumba was explored in 1883 byHenry Morton Stanley.Theswamp forest surrounding the lake is inhabited by theMongo people, who in this area are divided into twocastes: theOto, who farm, and theTwa,Pygmies who fish.
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