What are 2 facts about Lake Victoria?
- Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes.
- With a surface area of 68,800 square kilometers (26,600 square miles), Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake by area and the largest tropical lake in the world.
What is unique about Lake Victoria?
The lake’s surface is 3,720 feet (1,134 metres) above sea level, and its greatest ascertained depth is 270 feet (82 metres). Many archipelagos are contained within the lake, as are numerous reefs, often just below the surface of the clear waters. Lake Victoria has more than 200 species of fish, of which the Tilapia is the most economically important. The lake’s basin area covers 92,240 square miles (238,900 square km).
What is the history of Lake Victoria?
Lake Victoria arose from a dry landscape 14 600 calendar years ago (14.6 ka). Primary production was extremely high as lake level rose in its first 500 years, nourished by the high input of nutrients from the flooded landscape.
Is Lake Victoria a fresh water lake?
Lake Victoria, in East Africa, is the world’s largest tropical freshwater lake. At 68,800km², it’s also the second largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior in North America.
Why is Lake Victoria called Lake Victoria?
Speke was in an expedition with Richard Francis Burton, an expedition aimed at exploring Central Africa and locating the Great Lakes. Speke also believed that Lake Victoria was the source of the Nile, and named the lake after Queen Victoria.
What makes Lake Victoria special?
Alongside its rich history, cultural wealth, and spectacular wildlife, Lake Victoria is special for being one of only two places in East Africa where it's possible to watch the sunset over water without being on the coast! Lake Turkana in Northern Kenya is the other.
What is an interesting fact about Lake Victoria?
The Largest Lake on the Continent There's a good reason for that: at 68,800 square kilometers, Lake Victoria is the largest lake on the continent of Africa. Even taking into account all the freshwater lakes in the world, Lake Victoria size-wise is second only to Lake Superior in the United States / Canada.
Is Lake Victoria the deepest lake in the world?
Background Lake Victoria It is the worlds largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake. Lake Victoria touches the Equator in its northern side. It covers a total area of 68,800 sq. km [km²] and with a maximum depth of 80 m it is relatively shallow.
How important is Lake Victoria?
The lake and its catchment provide 90 percent of Uganda's hydropower, hydropower for Burundi and Rwanda, and water supply for major urban centers like Kampala, Kigali, Mwanza, and Kisumu. Its fisheries support more than 3 million livelihoods and bring in $500 million in revenues annually.
Can you swim in Lake Victoria?
Swimming in Lake Victoria is not recommended but you will see locals and international visitors swimming in the great lake. The main worry about swimming in Lake Victoria is the risk of contracting bilharzia. There are also large populations of hippo and crocodiles in the lake.
Is Lake Victoria the largest lake in the world?
Lake Victoria, in East Africa, is the world's largest tropical freshwater lake. At 68,800km², it's also the second largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior in North America.
Does Lake Victoria have sharks?
Victorian waters are home to at least seven varieties of sharks, according to Fisheries Victoria. These include heavyweights like the seven-metre, three-tonne great whites but also smaller relatives of the shark family like the iridescent elephant sharks that don't grow past 1.5 metres.
Has Lake Victoria ever dried up?
Lake Victoria last dried out about 17,300 years ago, and it refilled 14,700 years ago as the African humid period began.
Is Lake Victoria clean?
Industrialization, agriculture and the common practice of discarding rubbish and sewerage have so polluted Lake Victoria that residents and officials have compared it to a septic tank.
Are there whales in Lake Victoria?
Victorian waters are home to an amazing diversity of marine mammal species, including whales, dolphins and seals.
Why is Lake Victoria disappearing?
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Scientists are warning that Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, is under threat of dying. They blame overfishing and pollution for severely damaged fish stocks. Amina Yuguda, the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award winner, reports from Uganda.
Which is the deepest lake in Africa?
Lake TanganyikaLake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa and is the largest among the Albertine Rift lakes.
Has Lake Victoria ever dried up?
Lake Victoria last dried out about 17,300 years ago, and it refilled 14,700 years ago as the African humid period began.
Is Lake Victoria the largest lake in Africa?
Lake Victoria is the largest African Great Lake by area, the world's largest tropical lake, and the second largest fresh water body in the world.
Which is the deepest lake in Africa?
Lake TanganyikaLake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa and is the largest among the Albertine Rift lakes.
How deep is Lake Victoria in Africa?
272′Lake Victoria / Max depth
Where is Lake Victoria?
Lake Victoria. The vegetated shores of Lake Victoria near the Speke Resort in Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. Michael Shade. The Kagera River, the largest and most important of the lake affluents, enters the western side of Lake Victoria just north of latitude 1° S.
How many species of fish are there in Lake Victoria?
Many archipelagos are contained within the lake, as are numerous reefs, often just below the surface of the clear waters. Lake Victoria has more than 200 species of fish, of which the Tilapia is the most economically important. The lake’s basin area covers 92,240 square miles (238,900 square km). Lake Victoria, at Rusinga Island, Kenya.
How long is Lake Superior?
It is an irregular quadrilateral in shape, and its shores, save on the west, are deeply indented. Its greatest length from north to south is 210 miles (337 km), its greatest breadth 150 miles (240 km). Its coastline exceeds 2,000 miles (3,220 km).
When was the Kiira dam built?
A second dam, Kiira, was later constructed 0.6 mile (1 km) from Nalubaale. It was completed in 1999 and began producing hydroelectric power the next year. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content.
What is the length of the Kavirondo Gulf?
A narrow channel leads into the Kavirondo Gulf, which has an average width of 16 miles (25 km) and extends for 40 miles (64 km) eastward to Kisumu, Kenya. The Ugandan cities of Kampala and Entebbe lie along or near the northern coast.
What is Lake Victoria known for?
It’s one of the greatest lakes in the world and is renowned for its spectacular beauty, lush tropical islands and beautiful beachside hotels and resorts. There are over 200 fish species in Lake Victoria which makes it a sought-after destination for a fishing tour in Africa.
How big is Lake Victoria?
The coastline of Lake Victoria covers an area of 5 180 square kilometres (2 000 miles). It’s incredibly diverse; ranging from 90-metre high cliffs and dense papyrus swamps at the delta of the Kagera River to the flat and barren shores of the channel to the Gulf of Kavirondo and Winam Gulf.
What are the two most famous islands in Lake Victoria Basin?
The two most stunning attractions in the Lake Victoria Basin are Rubondo Island National Park which is the largest island park in Africa and the Ssese Islands which is spectacular archipelago made up of 84 islands.
Why is Ngamba Island so popular?
Ngamba Island has grown in popularity as a place to visit in Lake Victoria because it’s home to a protected chimpanzee sanctuary. The sanctuary was founded in 1998 to care for orphaned chimpanzees that were rescued in Uganda from poaches and wildlife meat traders.
How many people die in Lake Victoria?
It’s estimated that about 5 000 people die every year from water-related accidents in Lake Victoria. This is due to a combination of extreme weather patterns, inferior fishing boats and people not being strong swimmers.
What is the largest lake in Africa?
Lake Victoria is the largest inland lake in Africa and the largest tropical lake in the world. Covering a surface area of 68 800 square kilometres, this Great African Lake is located in East Central Africa and lies nestled in an ancient basin on the borders of three countries: Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
Can you take anti-malaria tablets on Lake Victoria?
It’s highly recommended travellers take anti-malaria tablets for a holiday in Lake Victoria and the usual precautions to prevent being bitten.
What are some interesting facts about Lake Victoria?
In addition to the countries surrounding the lake and the rivers flowing from it, many of the interesting facts about Lake Victoria involve the wonders to be found within the monumental body of water itself. The Ssese Islands are a prime example.
What is the water in Lake Victoria?
Lake Victoria serves as a source of electricity for the surrounding area as well as a source of the Nile River, but the massive amount of water in the lake itself is mostly rainwater. As rainfall is responsible for up to 80% of Lake Victoria’s water, seasonal changes and dry weather can profoundly affect conditions along the lake.
Where to visit in Uganda?
18. Experiencing Lake Victoria from Uganda 1 The historic Entebbe Botanical Gardens, founded in 1901, hosts an array of dazzling plant life and wildlife right on the shores of Lake Victoria. The Entebbe Botanical Gardens is excellent for bird-watching, with a multitude of Ugandan bird species flocking around the area at any given time. Find a great hotel in Entebbe. 2 Right next to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens on Lake Victoria is the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. A family-friendly education experience, this wildlife center gives visitors a rare opportunity to see some of the continent’s most iconic wildlife – including rhinos, elephants and giraffes – up close and personal, with knowledgeable guides to enhance the experience. 3 For more independent bird-watching and general nature watching, the Kitubulu Forest and Beach is a popular yet peaceful and relaxing spot on the Ugandan coast of Lake Victoria. Located on Kampala -Entebbe Road, this is one of the best locations in Uganda to take in the breadth and beauty of Lake Victoria. It is also close to attractions like the botanical gardens and the wildlife center. This is another spot that bird watchers will not want to miss out on during a trip to Uganda and the Lake Victoria area. 4 For those even more curious about local wildlife, the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary provides an experience like no other. A trip to this small Lake Victoria island is a chance to witness these incredible creatures living and interacting in a natural environment.
How many islands are there in Lake Victoria?
Although the lake’s Sesse Islands are especially scenic and famous, the 26,600 square miles of Lake Victoria contains more than 3,000 islets. Another famous island in Lake Victoria is Maboko Island in Kenya.
How old is Lake Victoria?
While John Hanning Speke discovered Lake Victoria for Europeans, the lake is about 400,000 years old. In geological terms, this makes Lake Victoria fairly young. Traders from the Arab world used the lake hundreds of years prior to its modern discovery, and it can be seen on maps dating back to the 12th century.
What is the largest lake in the world?
Lake Victoria is immense not only in size, but also in personality, history and so much more. I hope you enjoy the following interesting facts about Lake Victoria. 1. The Largest Lake on the Continent. When discussing the most interesting things about Lake Victoria size is an unavoidable topic. There’s a good reason for that: at 68,800 square ...
What are the birds that live in Lake Victoria?
A bevy of different bird species can be spotted along the lake’s coastline and on its islets. Eagles, egrets, and cormorants are often seen hunting for fish around Lake Victoria.
What are some interesting facts about Lake Victoria?
5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is an African gem. Bordering Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania , this expansive body of water stretches into the horizon – appearing more like a sea than a lake. Gentle waves are punctuated by many small, verdant islands that play host to a rich variety of wildlife.
How Big is Lake Victoria?
It’s known in Kenya as Nam Lowe (body of endless water) and in Uganda as ’Nnalubaale (Home of the Gods). Both names allude to the grand scale of the lake – the largest in Africa, and second-largest in the world.
What Animals Are Native to Lake Victoria?
Lake Victoria is a haven for wildlife. Alongside a spectacular array of birdlife and wetland animals, such as the clawless otter and sitatunga, the lake has fostered a number of native species. Among these are several types of cichlid, many of which are notable by their vibrantly-coloured scales. More elusive – or, possibly extinct – is the Lake Victoria Deepwater Catfish. Dwelling at the bottom of the lake, which is 82 metres at its deepest, this little-known catfish is thought to have been brought to near-extinction by the introduction of the Nile Perch.
Where did Lake Victoria get its name?
Although the lake has different names corresponding to the different nations and communities it borders, it’s most common title derives from Queen Victoria of England. The British explorer John Hanning Speke was the first European to find the lake in the 1850s during his expedition to find the source of the River Nile, ...
How many islands are there in Lake Victoria?
Lake Victoria covers a gigantic area of 26,600 square miles and has a coastline that runs for over 2,000 miles around three countries. It contains approximately 1,000 islands, ranging from tiny spits of land to larger inhabited islets.
What is the largest tropical lake in the world?
Today, the combined effect of these three types of threats has put one of the world’s great ecosystems—Lake Victoria—close to death. Lake Victoria—called the freshwater heart of Africa—is the world’s largest tropical lake; it covers an area about the size of Scotland.
What percentage of the lake's fish come from cichlids?
Today less than one percent of the mass of fish caught in Lake Victoria comes from cichlids. More than half of the cichlid species may now be extinct or close to extinction.
