freshwater systems of the African continent includes the largest and deepest lake on the planet.Most of them belong to the Great Lakes region, with links to Neil.
Here is a list of lakes in Africa.
- Victoria.
- Tanganyika.
- Malawi (Nyasa).
- Albert.
- Edward.
This, of course, not all the lakes in Africa, but only the largest.Full list includes 14 names.
But just among the great many geographers include only the following lakes of Africa: Victoria, Edward and Albert.Because only they have a natural outlet to the White Nile.Lake Tanganyika is the natural flow in the water system of the Congo, Malawi and the lake due to the Zambezi River.All the lakes in Africa (picture shown below) have a very beautiful natural scenery.
Lake Victoria
It occupies a huge space.For its size is comparable to the area of the whole country, such as Ireland.The coastline of the reservoir serves as the border at the same time for several African countries: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
total area of Lake Victoria is estimated at 68 thousand. Km2.The length of the water surface is 320 km and the maximum width - 275 km.Victoria is one of the deepest lakes in the world.Its maximum depth is 80 m. His contribution to the replenishment of the reservoir with fresh water makes deepest Kagera.Victoria, in turn, gives rise to the river Victoria Nile.
Today, the lake is a reservoir.This status is obtained after the construction of the dam in 1954, Owen Falls, blocking the river Victoria Nile.As a result of these actions the natural water level rose to 3 meters.
Numerous islands, which are scattered across the water surface, are home to myriad birds.Lake waters simply teem with crocodiles.The area around Victoria is a destination for many nature reserves and national parks in Africa.
Lake Tanganyika
Tanganyika not only the largest, but also the deepest lake in Africa.The maximum depth of water in the reservoir reaches 1432 km, which is only slightly inferior to the famous Lake Baikal.The lake is equal to 650 kilometers, and its width - 80 kilometers.
Beach Tanganyika serve overseas once to four countries: Burundi, Tanzania, Congo and Zambia.Replenishing water reserve of the lake is due to a number of rivers flowing into it.But Tanganyika is the only source for the river Lukuga.
Lake Tanganyika enough population.It is home to hippos, crocodiles are found.Many birds have chosen it as a permanent habitat.The waters found many varieties of fish.
Lake Malawi (Nyasa)
Lake Niassa or Malawi rather long and narrow when viewed from above.But this does not prevent him to occupy the second place of honor in the list of the deepest lakes in Africa.The banks are Malawi border area for three African countries: Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.The waters of this lake is very rich in fish: there are tilapia, kampango and others.Therefore, its shores are located plenty of fishing villages.Fisheries is an important component of the local economy.
part of the coast of the lake, owned by Malawi, has a fairly developed tourist infrastructure.Nyasa transparent waters are safe for sailing, they will come to taste and lovers of snorkeling and water skiing.
They were presented the largest lake in Africa, referring to the network the African Great Lakes.Next you will meet with other, well-known, but much smaller in size ponds that continent.
Lake Albert
It is located in the eastern part of Africa, on the border of the two republics of Congo and Uganda.The total area reaches 5600 square kilometers.The coastline of the pond has a small number of bays, beaches for the most part quite steep.
Lake Albert has a fairly large number of tributaries, but they carry water only during the rainy season.Of the many rivers flowing into it big only two: Victoria Nile and Semliki.At the confluence, they form a vast delta, which serve as an excellent habitat for a number of crocodiles and hippos.Waterfowl feel here in perfect safety.The lake is the source of the river to the Albert Nile.
As usual a lot of pond fish species (40).This tiger fish, the Nile perch, and many others.It is also quite developed shipping.The main port is the Port of Butiama owned Uganda and Kasenyi - the main port of the Republic of the Congo.
coast of the island, owned Uganda has good developed tourist infrastructure: it hosts a variety of excursions, horseback riding.
Lake Edward
It is located in the central part of Africa, just a few kilometers from the equatorial line.Is the border areas for the two countries: the Republic of Uganda and the Congo.
Such unusually sonorous name it received in honor of the royal family's eldest son Edward VII.
There is one rather unusual circumstances, which makes it very unusual lake.This is one of a very small number of ponds in tropical Africa, where there is absolutely no crocodiles.These toothy monster in excess inhabit the lower reaches of Lake Albert and the Semliki, but for unknown reasons they do not come here.
largest lake in Africa
list is headed by Lake Victoria, which has a total area of just over 68 000 km2.In second place among the continent's largest lake is Lake Tanganyika.The area of this reservoir covers 34,000 km2.Three leaders closes the Lake Nyasa (Malawi).Its surface area is about 30 000 km2.
But it's not all the lakes in Africa, which are among the largest of its water bodies.
Lake Chad
This is the fourth of its largest African lake.The area of the reservoir - 27 000 km2, but this value is not constant.In the rainy season it can be increased to 50 000 km2, and in times of drought reduced up to 11 000 km2.
lake has no natural flow, so the water simply evaporates or goes into the sandy ground.The conditions are incredibly hot climate of the continent in this mode, the water in the lake water is simply obliged to be salty.But Chad - almost entirely fresh water lake.His upper layers of water suitable for drinking, but only at the bottom of it a little bit salty.But why water layers do not mix?The answer is quite simple.To the north-east of the lake basin have Bodélé Depression, which is below its level.The pond is connected to it underground river through which and go demersal salted water.
Chad is home to many birds.These arrive on wintering pelicans and flamingos.On its shores is home to many animals.This zebras, and giraffes, and antelope.You can enumerate a long time.Here you can meet indigenous marine animals - the manatee.It is still a mystery how he managed to be in the fresh water lake.
This is the largest lake in Africa.Other bodies of water have a much smaller area.
The formation of the Great Lakes
And they appeared as a result of the so-called Great faults.Bed for most of these bodies of water is a rift basin.Great Lakes began almost immediately filled with water immediately after its formation.
rift lakes can be small or large, shallow, or, on the contrary, have quite a solid depth, but the only thing that unites them - it outlines.All lakes formed in this manner have a specific extended shape which is defined by outlines of rifts.
