Correct Option
The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
[as per provisional answerkey]
Explanation
Lake Turkana, located in the Great Rift Valley, is a unique alkaline endorheic basin characterized by its extreme environment and significant archaeological importance.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Lake Turkana is recognized as the world's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake. It exists in an arid, volcanic landscape where evaporation is the only primary outflow.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The lake is primarily located in northern Kenya, with its northernmost tip extending into Ethiopia. It is not situated in South Sudan, nor is it on the fringe of the Sahara Desert; rather, it lies within the Eastern Rift of the East African Rift System.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The lake is famously known as the 'Jade Sea' due to its stunning turquoise color, which results from the presence of algae. The Lake Turkana National Parks (comprising Sibiloi National Park, Central Island, and South Island National Parks) were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Key Takeaway: Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake, located in the Kenyan Rift Valley, and is distinguished by its UNESCO status and the moniker 'Jade Sea'.