13 Lake Victoria Facts: This Will Blow Your Mind!
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The Lake Victoria basin is a prominent one in Eastern Africa with a population of close to 40 million.
Victoria Lake, also known as Victoria Nyanza, is Africa's largest lake and is named after Queen Victoria. It is the world's second-largest lake after Lake Superior.
This huge lake flows via the famous Nile River, and its inflow sources are from the Kagera River. It is estimated that Lake Victoria covers approximately 26,827 sq mi (69,484 sq km), and you cannot remain unimpressed with Lake Victoria's size.
Mineralogy And Geoscience: Lake Victoria
On an expedition to find the Nile River, English explorer John Hanning Speke was the person who discovered Lake Victoria in 1858. He named the lake in honor of Queen Victoria of England.
On the expedition, John initially found 'Ukerewe' as the Arabs called it. The lake also had a significant role in Africa's history.
They used the inland routes for trading with African regions. Initially, the scientific community found it difficult to believe his claim of the Nile originating from Lake Victoria, but it proved right after a few years.
It is so big that it is one of the only two water bodies in East Africa where you can see the sunset beyond the water body. Located in the center of East Africa, the Lake Victoria basin has a long coastline shared by three nations Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Lake Superior in North America and Canada is the only lake that surpasses its size in terms of freshwater lakes.
The lake in East-Central Africa lies along the equator. Ferries are important for transport between Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
The lake's surface is 3,720 ft (1,134 m) above sea level and has a surface area of 23,145 sq mi (59,945 sq km), receiving water from the Kagera River and smaller rivers. However, 80% of the water comes from seasonal rains.
The largest river flowing water into the lake is the Kagera River. The lake flows into Lake Albert and Albert Nile via the Murchison Falls in Uganda and then enters Sudan. The Katonga River and White Nile or Victoria Nile River flow out of Lake Victoria, making it Africa's largest lake.
The River Nile originates from Jinja in Uganda on the northern shore of Lake Victoria. River Nile starts its journey and meanders through Bujagali falls and drains in Lake Kyoga. The Victoria Nile river flows out of Lake Victoria and is the most important for all these countries.
Hydrology: Lake Victoria
This huge lake makes a meandering journey and plays a significant role in the history of Africa. Yet, surprisingly, Lake Victoria is a shallow lake. The reason for its shallowness is that it is located in a depression on the surface and not a deeper crack.
River Nile drains into the Mediterranean Sea before flowing through Egypt, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Two dams, namely-Kiira and Nalubaale on the Victoria Nile, use the lake's waters to produce electricity.
One of the African Great Lakes is 276 ft (84 m) at the deepest point, and the average depth is just 135 ft (41 m), but the volume of water sustains a huge ecosystem of fauna and flora. More than 200 fish species attract people from all over the world to this tourist destination.
Added attractions are Rubondo Island National Park and other natural island parks and sanctuaries.
Entebbe is located close to the northern shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda, while Ukerewe is the largest inland island in Lake Victoria. Buggala Island is another large island in the area and is famous for resorts and hotels and is a popular destination.
The other popular islands are the Ssese Islands in Uganda, where people come for tourism and fishing. Tourists also like to see the ancient rock paintings created by tribals like the Batwa on Mfangano Island.
Mammals: Lake Victoria
The Lake Victoria basin has historical significance since it is the crucible of human civilization. Many animals and plants thrive in the fertile lands here. You can visit the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary from Entebbe and spend a few hours with this mammal species. Boat trips from different islands entice bird watchers as there are numerous different species.
Many other mammal species living in the region of Lake Victoria are unique to these wetlands and the lake ecosystem. Hippopotamus, otters, reedbucks, mongoose and otter shrew, and many other species are native to this place.
Serengeti National Park is situated around northern Tanzania. Though it is far from the Lake Victoria basin, it depends on the lake's water and makes it a wonderful tourist destination.
Reptiles: Lake Victoria
According to its surface area, Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake, the second-largest freshwater lake, and home to many different aquatic animals. Like Nile perch and others, many exotic fish species are found in the lake, but there is often conflict between them, replacing the endemic species rapidly.
Lake Victoria cichlids are seen in many colors, and they differ in their sizes and behavior patterns. The main freshwater fish in Lake Victoria is more than 500 species of cichlids. Unfortunately, quite a few species disappeared in the last fifty years. For example, native cichlids are going extinct now.
Reading about Lake Victoria Uganda, its impact on the evolution of Uganda, and the history of its conservation shows the evidence of cichlid fishes in the remnants of plants of animals found in northern Lake Victoria.
The Nile River passes through Murchison Falls and enters Uganda and Sudan. All the adjacent wetlands are famous for Nile crocodiles and turtles. Lake Victoria and other lakes in the upper Nile basin have many different types of turtles- African helmeted ones, Williams' mud turtles, and some of them are found only in the swamps near the rivers.
Tourists visit these wetlands and rivers and Lake Victoria in the hope of catching some unusual animals and plants. There are many beach resorts on the islands around Lake Victoria. Animal lovers, photographers, amateur birdwatchers, and researchers join the tourists here to glimpse the most exotic animals and birds.
Lake Victoria has something for every visitor. It has an interesting history and the present fauna and flora will truly take your breath away!
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Based in Lucknow, India, Aashita is a skilled content creator with experience crafting study guides for high school-aged kids. Her education includes a degree in Business Administration from St. Mary's Convent Inter College, which she leverages to bring a unique perspective to her work. Aashita's passion for writing and education is evident in her ability to craft engaging content.
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