Lake Victoria in central Africa. African lake victoria lake victoria on outline map of africa

Lake Victoria is located in east-central Africa along the equator. Three countries have access to it: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. hit the road with a travel agency in Samara "Hot Travel" and get to know this and others, no less interesting places in Africa.

This picturesque lake was discovered by Arab traders, their map of the reservoir dates back to around 1160 AD. But its name is quite European. The fact is that its first serious study was carried out by the Briton John Henning Speke, and he named the lake in honor of Queen Victoria, who ruled England at that time.

John Henning Speke, who arrived at the lake in 1858, claimed that it was the source of the Nile River. This opinion caused great debate in the scientific community before it was accepted.

Here are some interesting facts about the African Lake Victoria:

• Exactly this big lake in Africa, its surface area is 68,800 square kilometers.
• Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world.
• It is the world's second largest freshwater lake, second only to Lake Superior in North America in terms of surface area.
• Lake Victoria is about 400 thousand years old.
• The average depth is 40 meters, and the most deep point- 84 meters.
• Approximately 80 per cent of Victoria's water comes from rain. The remaining 20 percent comes from small rivers that flow into the lake.
• Geological studies have shown that the lake dried up completely several times. The last time was about 17,300 years ago.

Most large river, flowing into the lake is Kagera. Two rivers flow out of the lake: the White Nile and the Katonga.

Ecological situation on the lake

Lake Victoria, the legendary source of the Nile and the cradle of early human evolution, is losing its inhabitants. Scientists fear that if measures are not taken soon, all life in the lake may disappear.

Factors that negatively affected the ecological health of the lake:

• Sewage pollution combined with fertilizers and chemicals from farms.
• Water hyacinth. This plant was introduced to Africa at the end of the 20th century as an ornamental. It began to multiply quickly and covered large areas of the lake. Dense vegetation blocks the sunlight needed for life underwater.
• Fishing on an industrial basis. The demand for fish is growing rapidly along with the population of Africa. This has caused fish populations to drop to dangerously low levels.

Lake Victoria experienced the largest mass extinction of vertebrates in modern times. Thirty years ago it boasted about 500 species of fish. More than half of them have already disappeared.

VICTORIA, Victoria Nyanza, lake in East Africa, the second largest (after Lake Superior) among the world’s freshwater lakes, turned into a reservoir with the world’s largest usable volume (204.8 km 3); in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The area of ​​the lake is 68.9 thousand km2, length 320 km, width up to 275 km, volume 2700 km3, depth up to 92 m. The length of the coastline is over 3450 km. Tanzania owns 49% of the water area and 33% of the coastline of the southern part of the lake, Uganda - 45 and 50% of the northwestern part, respectively, Kenya - 6 and 17% of the northeastern part of the lake.

The Victoria Basin, one of the “Great Lakes” of Africa, is located in a gentle tectonic trough of the crystalline basement in the eastern part of the African Platform. It arose in the middle of the Quaternary period simultaneously with the formation of the narrow lake basins Albert and Edward during the formation of the western branch of the East African Rift System, which disrupted the previous flow into the Congo Basin. The new drainage system was turned east, towards the tectonic trough, where a vast reservoir was formed, the area of ​​which increased during pluvial eras. The flow of water from this reservoir formed the bed of the Victoria Nile River, which was directed during the formation of the Kabarega Falls into Lake Albert, and from it north into the Nile River. Victoria and located north of the lake Kyoga - relics of an ancient continental reservoir.

The modern coastline (at an altitude of 1134 m) is very rugged. Northern, Eastern and southern shore low-lying, sandy, with many bays (the largest are Vinam, Speke), the western coast is more elevated and leveled. There are over 3000 islands in the water area with total area about 6 thousand km 2, the largest are Ukereve, Rubondo, Kome, Sese Islands. 17 rivers flow into Victoria, the most water-bearing is the Kagera River (considered the source of the Nile - one of the longest rivers in the world). After the construction of the Owen Falls hydroelectric complex on the Victoria Nile River in 1954 with a dam height of 31 m and a hydroelectric power station, due to flow regulation, the water level in Victoria began to slowly rise. By the beginning of 1965, it became 3 m above the long-term average level, the area of ​​the lake reservoir reached 76 thousand km 2.

In the incoming part of Victoria's water balance, the share of rainwater is 82-87%, runoff from the catchment area is 13-18%, in the outgoing part - evaporation from the surface of the reservoir is 76-83%, and the flow of lake water mass is 17-24%. The small share of river waters in the lake’s nutrition is a consequence of the small catchment area (190 thousand km 2). Due to low flow rates, the average residence time of water in Victoria is about 25 years.

Victoria is located in the equatorial belt. On the shores of Winam Bay in the city of Kisumu (Kenya), the average annual air temperature is 23.1 ° C, precipitation is about 1300 mm per year. Victoria is characterized by severe storms caused by hurricane-force winds during tropical thunderstorms. The water level changes dramatically depending on the layer of precipitation, the water content of floods on tributaries and storm surges. The average long-term range of intra-annual level fluctuations is 0.5 m.

The surface layer of the lake water mass, almost uniform in temperature (23-25.8 ° C), has a thickness of 30-40 m. With strong south-eastern winds and the greatest cooling of the surface (usually in June - July), mixing spreads to the bottom, providing annual convective - dynamic circulation of the entire water column. The salinity of Victoria's waters is low (88 mg/l). Below is the long-term average chemical composition lake water (mg/l): HCO - 3 56.1; SO 2- 4 2.3; Cl - 3.9; Ca 2+ 5.6; Mg 2+ 2.6; Na + 10.4; K+3.8; SiO 2 3.0.

According to observations, in the coastal zone of Kenya, the high oxygen content in the surface trophogenic layer - up to 8-14 mg/l (100-180% saturation in calm periods) - decreases with depth to 4-7 (50-80%) at a horizon of 10 m and up to 1-4 mg/l - at a horizon of 40 m. In the shallow and storm-protected Vinam Bay, an equally low O 2 content was noted at a depth of 10 m, near the bottom. This is due to the negative impact of contaminated domestic wastewater from the city of Kisumu and other settlements, as well as agricultural runoff in the river basins flowing into the bay. Water transparency is low, it varies from 0.2 m in February with a water turbidity of 12-22 mg/l to 1.5 m in September (<10 мг/л). С 1930-х годов прозрачность уменьшилась более чем в 5 раз. В заливе Винам иногда наблюдается цветение воды. Подобные очаги антропогенного эвтрофирования в целом мезотрофной экосистемы Виктории наблюдаются и на других участках прибрежной зоны. Средняя скорость озёрного илонакопления 0,5-1 мм/год.

The transformation of the lake into a reservoir caused minor changes in the natural conditions and economy of the sparsely populated coast. The level rise did not exceed 1.4 m above the highest level of the lake. Victoria continues to boast pristine beauty and diverse flora and fauna. Macrophytes are dominated by papyrus and hornwort, providing shelter for fry. Phytoplankton is represented by diatoms (melosira, fragillaria, cyclotella), green algae (pediastrum, stagedesmus), dinophytes (glenodinium), cyanobacteria (lingbia, spirulina, anabena). There are numerous crocodiles in the waters. The main commercial fish are Nile perch, introduced in 1978, and tilapia. Protected areas are located mainly on the islands, for example, Rubondo National Park (relict tropical vegetation; inhabited by elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, oryxes, sitatunga forest antelopes, hippopotamuses, fat-bodied animals, chimpanzees, green monkeys, porcupines, mongooses, pythons, mambas, cobras; birds are numerous). To preserve Victoria's unique aquatic ecosystem, the Lake Victoria Fisheries Convention was adopted in 1994. Used as a source of water supply, for recreation (sailing). Fishing, shipping. The main ports are Mwanza, Bukoba (Tanzania), Entebbe (Uganda), Kisumu (Kenya). Discovered in 1858 by J. H. Speke, named after the Queen of Great Britain.

Lit.: Data book of world lake environments. Otsu, 1988. Vol. 1; Report on lake Victoria environmental management project. S. 1., 1995; Yin H., Nicholson S.E. The water balance of Lake Victoria // Hydrological Sciences Journal. 1998. Vol. 43(5); Nikanorov A. M. Hydrochemistry. 2nd ed. St. Petersburg, 2001.

M. D. Ananicheva, K. K. Edelshtein.

Lake Victoria is one of the most striking natural attractions in Africa, no less famous than Mount Sinai, Colored Canyon, Cameroon Volcano or Lake Chad. Victoria is the largest freshwater body of water on the black continent and the second in the world after one of the American Great Lakes - Lake Superior.

Its surface area is about 68,000 square kilometers, in some places the depth of the lake reaches 80 meters.

It is in this lake that the most majestic African river originates - Nile.

Where is Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is the natural border between Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. There are a significant number of Aboriginal people in the coastal areas - according to various sources, from 30 to 35 million people. Local residents have a different name for this place - Nyanza, which means “big water”.

In 1858, this reservoir was discovered by the famous English explorer John Speke, who named it in honor of the British queen.

The lake and its surroundings are very popular among hunting and fishing enthusiasts. These waters are home to more than 100 species of fish, including rare ones such as Nile perch.

This is also the only place in the world where fossil lang fish, which lived on Earth 300 million years ago, have been preserved. This unique species is considered a transitional link from fish to land animals, as it has an amazing respiratory system, which includes both gills and lungs.

Hunting and fishing

Fishing on Lake Victoria is a fascinating activity, but quite dangerous. These waters are simply teeming with crocodiles, so that an unwary fisherman can turn into prey himself.

By the way, hunting tours for crocodiles and hippos are one of the most extreme local entertainment offered to tourists.

There are several famous nature reserves and national parks around the lake.

One of the most popular places among tourists is park on Rubondo Island, home to several hundred bird species and dozens of animal species. Flocks of colorful tropical birds “paint” the coast in all the colors of the rainbow - perhaps there are few places in the world where you can observe such a fantastic spectacle. In the park you can see elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, mongooses and many other exotic animals.

The special pride of the park is the population of Sitatunga antelopes, distinguished by their unique grace and beauty.

No less interesting is the Ruma National Park - a great place to observe wild animals in their natural habitat.

Within the lake there are numerous islands, both quite large and small. Some of them are inhabited by people, they have conditions for accommodating tourists.

Landscapes of fabulous beauty, romantic canoe trips on the lake, the opportunity to watch rare animals or study the life of local fishermen - such a vacation is perfect for those who are looking for peace and quiet.

One of the most unique islands here is Mgingo Island. The island is famous for its excellent fishing and has a very original history. For a long time, Mgingo was uninhabited - residents of the coastal areas believed that an evil spirit lived on the island.

In the early 90s of the last century, one of the local shamans performed a ritual of exorcism, and two daredevils, Kenyan fishermen, settled on the island. Soon other fishermen began to settle on the island, attracted by the excellent catches. Currently, about 130 people live on Mgingo. Catching the expensive Nile perch allows fishermen to earn up to $200 a week, which is considered a lot of money by local standards.

Due to the fact that the island is a disputed territory, local inhabitants are forced to pay taxes to the treasury of both Kenya and Uganda.

At the same time, the islanders consider Mgingo a free republic, have their own government and live in a friendly community according to their own laws. The worst punishment for violating these laws is expulsion from the island.

The lake also has its own legends. According to one of them, Lukwata lives near the island of Rubondo - a mysterious monster that from time to time rises from the bottom of the lake and takes away the prey from the fishermen.

Of course, the mysterious Luquata is not as popular as its “colleague” from Loch Ness, and yet thousands of tourists come to these parts every year in the hope of meeting a strange creature.

On the coast there is no clearly defined division of the year into seasons. The air temperature stays around 25°C all year round, and the water temperature rarely drops below 22°C.

The change of seasons in these places is determined by the amount of rain. Spring and summer are the time of tropical showers, so the best time to visit Victoria is considered to be November-February.

Continent Africa is a territory that is associated with the world's largest desert. This is the Sahara Desert. The climate here is such that it is almost impossible to imagine sailing on ferries in the very heart of Africa. But there is a lake - Lake Victoria, which accomplishes all this. That is, the continent of Lake Victoria is Africa. Lake Victoria is the third largest lake in the world and the largest on the continent of Africa.

The location of Lake Victoria is the northern part of the East African Plateau. Lake Victoria has an area of ​​68,800 km2. The maximum depth of the lake is 80 m. It has a very rugged coastline. Currently, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are the states that own the lake. The length of Lake Victoria is 400 km.

The lake was named after the Queen of England - Victoria. John Henning Speke is the man who discovered it.
The climate of the lake is considered equatorial. The highest temperature here reaches 35 °C. And as is typical for Africa, summer is the cold season. So, the coldest month in this area is July. The warmest days are observed from October to the end of February. Precipitation is uneven. In some places it’s up to 1000 mm per year, and in others it’s 2000 mm. Spring is a time of storms. It also rains at this time.

The fauna of Lake Victoria is very diverse. For example, the fish that are found here belong to the cichlid family. The most common ones are Balti and Nile perches. The shores of Lake Victoria are home to various species of birds. Some of them are flamingos.

Since the lake is surrounded by mountainous terrain, there are accordingly a lot of plants. The basis of all vegetation is made up of deciduous forests and savannas. Tall grasses and rare trees grow here. The crowns of such trees are shaped like an umbrella. Sometimes there are swamps. Papyrus grows in the swamps. It is worth noting that papyrus grows not only in the coastal part, but also in the water of Lake Victoria itself.

There is a plant here that poses a great threat to other representatives of the lake. Water hyacinth is a plant that lives on the surface of water and reproduces at a very high speed. The danger is that the water is covered with a kind of carpet and the rays of the sun do not enter the water. As a result, many living organisms in Lake Victoria die.

Bantu are the inhabitants of Lake Victoria. The population here is growing at a rapid rate. Other inhabitants include the Nilotes tribe. The Sese Islands are home to the Basese tribe. The Basese differ from all the tribes of the lake in their culture and language. Life here depends on fishing and farming.