Many of us at the request of "What is the largest lake in Africa" confidently replied that it was Victoria.As a source of the Nile River, it ranks second in the world in size of all the freshwater lakes.According to official information, it opened the Englishman J. Speke in 1858.This body of water the locals called the "big water".However, the discoverer named it Victoria - the name of the Queen of England.
between many scientists for a long time were debates as to how reservoirs belongs to Victoria.According to some, it is an inland sea, but others argued that it is the largest lake.As a result of the fact that the reservoir is filled with fresh water, it is made to converge all the second embodiment.
Location
largest lake of the continent (Africa) is at its heart.The total area of the reservoir is more than 68 thousand square kilometers.For this indicator, it exceeds even some of the sea (eg, Azov and Aral).The lake is located both on the territory of three countries: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.For them it is a center of commerce, navigation and fishing.
average depth of the lake was 80 meters.Due to the location at an altitude of 1134 m above sea level, it refers to the category of high altitude.The annual average water temperature is about 22 degrees.
outlines
largest lake in Africa has the shape of an irregular oval.Its dimensions in length and width is 350h200 kilometers respectively.Almost everywhere except the south-western region, the coast is swampy and low.It meets a lot of different capes, bays, inlets and peninsulas even.
on the territory of the lake there are also many islands of different sizes.Among the biggest of them are the Mansome, Ukereve, coma and Ruvondo.Researchers pond with archaeologists have found evidence that a few million years ago, it was a much larger area.
Climate
during the existence of the lake on its coast formed a special climate in which high humidity combined with the heat exhausting.In addition, the area is characterized as tropical downpours protracted and long periods of drought.The largest lake in Africa is characterized by the fact that a clear separation of the season on its territory there.The change of seasons is determined by a parameter such as the amount of precipitation.In particular, the winter crouches minimum number, and in the summer - on the contrary.
most water months are April to May.The level of the lake at this time can be increased to 600 millimeters.The temperature almost never falls below the mark of 25 degrees.Concepts such as frost and snow, the locals do not know.
largest lake in Africa raised tectonic and volcanic processes high enough, so here are all the winds that are characteristic of the continent.They are unable to protect even hillsides with passes.Now the body of water is one of the most dangerous in the world due to hurricanes, tornadoes and storms.Due to the hot climate a large amount of water is evaporated (about 93 cubic kilometers per year).Despite this, the shallow lake does not happen ever.Scientists attribute this to the unusual nature of the water cycle.
Flora and fauna
Plant and animal worlds in the area of the reservoir are the same as that on the whole continent.On the banks of the plants among the most common banana palms, cane, reeds and papyrus.Many locals grow coffee and bamboo.The largest lake in Africa is a habitat for crocodiles and hippos.In addition, the reservoir found more than a hundred species of fish.Among them are those who live exclusively here.
Specific words deserve birds inhabiting the coastal zone.Their flocks have millions of individuals, so the terrain is often painted in all colors of the rainbow.The most common are the Venetian cranes, flamingos and a variety of herons.
main problem
lake Around the middle of the twentieth century, local ecosystems found herself on the verge of total destruction.The number of endangered species of plants and animals started to increase.A vivid example is the rhinoceros, which massively exterminated by hunters in order to obtain valuable horns used in pharmacology.In addition, over the last few decades is at times reduced the number of leopards, elephants, giraffes, lions and hippos.
largest city and port on the coast
As mentioned above, the largest lake in Africa, is located on the territory of the three countries.Each of them has its coast its commercial ports and cities.In particular, for such is the Mwanza Tanzania.It is through this port city in the State carries out a significant amount of trade.Nearby is one of the largest in East Africa deposits of diamonds and gold, the export of which the lion's share of the national budget.
On the north coast is considered the largest port of Entebbe (Uganda), acting as a transfer point.The fact that all delivered products here on the lake is transported to the capital by road.With regard to Kenya, it is the largest city on Lake Victoria is Kissima.Almost all products of the industrial regions of the country are brought into it, and then deliver them to the destination.
