Continent, famous for its deserts and ancient history can boast of quite a large water bodies.Standing on their banks, it is often difficult to imagine that around a thousand square kilometers of arid land.And the most amazing Lake Tana - water surface, seeming boundless and abundance of the diversified life.
geographical location of the lake
It is the biggest water reservoir in Ethiopia.In addition to well-established name, Lake Tana on the map Africa can sometimes occur as Cana (spelling and reading Latin) Dembea or similar name of the country, which is adjacent to the north shore.More or less precise coordinates are considered to be 11 ° 35'-12 ° 16 '.w.34 ° and 35 ° 39'-20 'in.d. Why are not completely accurate?Because the rainy season the lake Tana occupies a larger area than in the dry.It incorporates a variety of different water arteries - from the rather large rivers, the largest of which Abbay, to almost imperceptible streams.But it follows from only one river - Bar El Azrek, also known as the Blue Nile.Lake Tana is replete with islands of different sizes, but always small;the total area of the isolated land - about 50 square kilometers, at least against the backdrop of 3000 (in the dry season) square kilometers of water seems sheer trifle.
potential of Lake Tana
I must say that not for nothing that several countries at one time claimed sole ownership of this huge body of water.According to rough estimates, the unit of power it could provide electricity for the whole of Africa - around 60 billion kWh would be enough for the entire continent.But at the moment there is only one such station, and something about it, there are certain complaints: construction greatly reduced flow in the waterfall with the romantic name Tis Isat - "Smoke of Fire."
Lake Tana in Africa is replete with fish, clams and crabs.Their production - one of the main sources of livelihood of local residents.Quite a few here and a bird that settles on the banks and islands.An added bonus is the absence in the waters of the lake crocodiles that simply swarming all flowing into the Tana River.Although hippos are enough, but if left alone, they co-exist peacefully with humans.
In recent years, Lake Tana is increasingly gaining popularity among tourists.They are attracted, and the local beauty and historical monuments and religious shrines.
Religious values
As already mentioned, Lake Tana is strewn with small islands.Altogether there are 37. More than half of them built temples, churches and monasteries.These stores saved up invaluable manuscripts and ancient manuscripts of the Bible, many of the walls are painted with unique frescoes, preserved ancient Coptic crosses, and in the monastery allowed to see the mummies of kings.The most mysterious monastery is located on the island of Tana Kirkos.To get there it is practically impossible, although many believers willingly bowed to his knees in the monastery.According to legend, it was here eight centuries the priests hid from desecration Ark of the Covenant.However, visitors can visit the monasteries of Ura Kidane Mehret (Peninsula Zege) Gran Selassie (December), the Monastery of Jesus.
Natural and historical monuments
addition to the already mentioned waterfall, Lake Tana in Africa can boast of the fact that it is close to the highest peak of Ethiopia Ras Dashen.It is also a temple of old, but the more he is known for its picturesque.The waterfall is still worth to see, although they are not as impressive as before the construction of the station.But there since the 17th century, preserved stone bridge, built by the Portuguese.From the point of view of architecture is very curious city of Gondar, located near Lake: so many locks do not see, perhaps more than anywhere else.A fortress Fasil Ghebbi is amazing to see even a lot of travelers.And it should, of course, a swim in the morning with the local fishermen: a combination of wonderful species and exotic appearance, "gondolier" (they still use national garments, and is not a tourist attraction) will be remembered, probably for life.
As a lake
all large African reservoirs have received the "bed" as a result of the rift fault.Because of this, they have considerable depth.It is quite another - Lake Tana, the origin of which is hollow - dammed.That is the result of a tectonic trough in ancient times formed a long and wide valley.She proceeded small river bottom.And as a result of the volcanic eruption and the associated earthquake appeared clogged drains.Exiting the "traps" found (or shot for himself) only the Blue Nile.That is why, even in the deepest place in the period of flood Lake Tana barely reaches a depth of 14 meters, and in the dry months, and not deeply 10.
