Lake Kivu Map
Lake Kivu is a lake across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, covering about 2,700 km² (1,040 sq mi), with a maximum depth of 485 m (1,591 ft). This map shows the lake outlined in blue on shaded relief, with the rivers, borders and towns around it.
How to read this map
Its surface lies about 1,463 m (4,800 ft) above sea level. Inflows include Karundura. It drains through the Ruzizi River. It is shared by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
The blue outline marks Lake Kivu as mapped by Natural Earth. Towns and cities on the map include Kigali, Bukavu, Nyanza, Goma, Muhanga, Ruhengeri, Butare and Byumba.
Greens show lower elevations; tan and brown show higher land, with pale tones toward the highest terrain. Shadows emphasize the slopes, and vertical relief is exaggerated so landforms are easier to read. Dashed lines show country borders.
The relief uses Terrain Tiles (SRTM, GMTED2010 and ETOPO1 elevation data). Rivers, lakes, borders and the outline of Lake Kivu come from Natural Earth, and the figures on this page from Wikidata. Natural Earth draws features at a small scale, so the outline is a guide to where Lake Kivu is, not a surveyed boundary.
Blank physical map
The blank version keeps the mapped features and removes the place labels. Download it for a geography worksheet or practice identifying the features.
Lake Kivu facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 89 km (55 mi) |
| Area | 2,700 km² (1,040 sq mi) |
| Drainage basin | 7,000 km² (2,700 sq mi) |
| Maximum depth | 485 m (1,591 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,463 m (4,800 ft) |
| Inflows | Karundura |
| Outflow | the Ruzizi River |
| Countries | the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda |
Data sources and license
- Natural Earth (public-domain geography): Public domain.
- Terrain Tiles / Mapzen (SRTM, GMTED2010, ETOPO1): Open elevation data; source attribution retained.
- Wikidata (lengths, areas, countries and other facts): CC0 1.0.
Map design and rendered images: Atlas of Maps, CC BY 4.0. Source databases retain their own licenses; the map license does not replace them.
Maps of the countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda. Compare with the world rivers map.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Lake Kivu?
Lake Kivu covers about 2,700 km² (1,040 sq mi).
How deep is Lake Kivu?
Its maximum depth is about 485 m (1,591 ft).
Where is Lake Kivu?
Lake Kivu lies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
Can I download a blank map of Lake Kivu?
Yes. The blank version keeps the relief, rivers and borders and the highlighted lake but removes the place names. Both versions are free to download as PNG and as an A4 PDF.
Use this map
You can download, print and share this map for free, in class, in school projects, in presentations and on websites, as long as you credit the source: Lake Kivu Map · Atlas of Maps (atlasofmaps.com), license CC BY 4.0.
More maps of lakes
- Lake Albert Map
- Lake Tanganyika Map
- Lake Mweru Map
- Lake Edward Map
- Lake Tumba Map
- Great Bear Lake Map
- Great Slave Lake Map
- Lake Winnipeg Map
- Lake Erie Map
- Lake Saint Clair Map
- Lake Superior Map
- Lake Huron Map
- Lake Ladoga Map
- Lake Balkhash Map
- Lake Baikal Map
- Lake Victoria Map
- South Aral Sea Map
- North Aral Sea Map
- Lake Okeechobee Map
- Vänern Map
- Lake Onega Map
- Lake Tana Map
- Titicaca Map
- Lake Eyre North Map