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Africa can safely be called a continent of contrasts. This continent contains sun-scorched steppes and beautiful impenetrable jungles, wide plains and majestic mountains, arid deserts and vast bodies of water. There are also quite large lakes here. Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa. It is located in the central part of the continent and washes the coasts of four countries. This reservoir is of great economic importance. It is an important source of fresh water for many communities along its coast. Tanganyika has others interesting features which are described in the article.
Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa. The maximum depth of this reservoir is 1470 m, and the average is 570 m. Thanks to these indicators, it ranks second among the deepest lakes in the world, losing the championship to Baikal. But Tanganyika got a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest lake on the planet, the length of which is 676 km. The average width of the reservoir reaches 50 km. The catchment area is 32.9 thousand km 2, and the volume of water contained in it is 18.9 thousand km 3.
Tanganyika is the oldest lake in Africa, formed in a rift valley 17 million years ago. Its coasts are indented by a huge number of bays and bays. Rocky mountains stretch along the western coast, the height of which reaches 2 thousand meters, but the eastern coast is mostly flat.
An amazing feature of Lake Tanganyika is its waters. The upper layer, whose thickness is approximately 100 m, does not mix with the lower one, so the so-called dead waters are stored at depth. They are not suitable for living organisms because they do not contain oxygen. But a significant amount of useful substances was identified in them.
Scientists have found that in last years in the upper layer of water the content increases nutrients. According to experts, there can be only two reasons that caused the flow of water from the lower layer to the upper: this is due to anthropogenic changes or is a sign of the aging of the lake. This phenomenon has a positive effect on the flora and fauna of the reservoir.
The water in Tanganyika is quite clear and can be seen to a depth of 30 m. It contains a significant amount of salt, which makes it look like it is well diluted sea water. This is due to the fact that the reservoir is located in a warm zone and constantly evaporates from it. great amount water.
Tanganyika's water reserves are replenished by precipitation and many reservoirs of various sizes. The most large rivers, carrying their waters into the lake are:
- Ruzizi;
- Kalambo;
- Malagarasi;
- Lufubu;
- Lugufu.
Only one river flows out of Tanganyika, the Lukuga River, which flows into the Congo River.
Flora and fauna
Lake Tanganyika has very meager biomass reserves. This is due to the fact that a small amount of algae grows in it. At a depth exceeding 200 m, the water is saturated with hydrogen sulfide, which is why it is unsuitable for the development of vegetation. But the lack of flora is fully compensated by the abundance of living organisms in the reservoir. Many of the lake's inhabitants are endemic species. This is due to the fact that Tanganyika long time was a closed lake, and only 12 thousand years ago a river was formed, originating in this reservoir.
The abundance of fish in the lake, which has rather sparse vegetation, has long been a mystery to scientists. Research has shown that many fish are similar to marine life and feed on plankton. This is due to the fact that when the lake was formed millions of years ago it never dried up, which allowed the living organisms that originally lived in it to survive.
Tanganyika is home to many industrial types fish, thereby ensuring the well-being of people living on the lake shore. Also, fish are caught in the reservoir, which, due to their endurance and bright color, are in great demand among aquarists. You can also meet other fauna representatives on the lake:
- crocodiles;
- hippos;
- many species of waterfowl;
- gastropods;
- crustaceans.
The lake is the most valuable natural resource for countries located on its coast. It is an important shipping artery. There are a huge number of ports on its shores, the largest of which are:
- Kigomo, located in Tanzania;
- Kalemie, belonging to the country of Congo;
- Bujumbura, located in the capital of Burundi.
Tanganyika is the main source of drinking water for a huge population. Thanks to the fishing industry that flourishes in the reservoir, the well-being of the settlements located on its banks is ensured. The rapidly developing tourism industry can also generate huge profits. There are many beautiful beaches near the lake that attract travelers from all over the world. Every year, a huge number of anglers come to Zambia to take part in the famous sport fishing championship.
Ecology
Tanganyika did not become a body of water that was avoided environmental problems related to human activities. A huge amount of industrial waste and sewage is dumped into the lake. The environmental issue is especially acute in the northern part of the reservoir, off the coast of Burundi. Due to the lack of sewerage in many settlements, sewage is discharged directly into Tanganyika. At the same time, drinking water is also taken from the lake. As a result of such irresponsible activities, epidemics often occur in the country.
Another serious problem threatening the lake is water hyacinth. These algae cover the surface of the reservoir with a dense carpet, causing serious damage to its ecosystem. They prevent the passage of sunlight into the depths of Tanganyika and do not allow the water to be enriched with oxygen. Scientists are making various attempts to control water hyacinth, but so far without success. The algae is growing rapidly and is already creating problems for shipping.
The African Great Lakes are several large lakes located in and around the East African Rift Zone. Includes Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, and Tanganyika, the second deepest and largest lake in the world. List of lakes: Tanganyika, Victoria, Albert, Edward, Kivu, Malawi.
Some consider only Lakes Victoria, Albert and Edward to be Great Lakes, since only these three lakes drain into the White Nile. Tanganyika and Kivu drain into the Congo River system, and Malawi drains into the Zambezi via the Shire River.
Victoria, Victoria Nyanza, Ukerewe (Victoria, Victoria Nyanza) is a lake in East Africa, in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Located in the tectonic trough of the East African Platform, at an altitude of 1134 m. The 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior and the most big lake in Africa.
Area 68 thousand sq. km, length 320 km, maximum width 275 km. It is part of the Victoria Reservoir. Many islands. The high-water Kagera River flows in and the Victoria Nile River flows out. The lake is navigable, local residents They are engaged in fishing on it.
The northern coast of the lake crosses the equator. The lake, with a maximum depth of 80 m, is a fairly deep lake.
Unlike its deep-sea neighbors Tanganyika and Nyasa, which lie within the African gorge system, Lake Victoria fills the shallow depression between the eastern and western sides of the Great Gorge valley. The lake receives a huge amount of water from rain, more than from all its tributaries.
Its waters are home to a huge number of crocodiles, and the lang fish (fish) that lived here 300 million years ago still lives here. She can inhale and hold air in her gills, like in her lungs. This rare fish is a link between ordinary fish and land animals.
Lake Chad (Tchad, Chad, in Arabic Bar es Salaam) is an endorheic relict lake located in central Africa. Located at an altitude of 240 m above sea level.
The surface of the lake is not constant: usually occupying about 27 thousand square meters. km, the lake in the rainy season overflows to 50 thousand, and in the dry season it shrinks to 11 thousand square meters. km. From the south, the rivers Shari with a wide and shallow delta and Mbulu flow into the lake, from the west - Komadugu-Vaube, and from the east - the shallow Bar el-Ghazal. According to Nachtigall, the influx of water through rain and rivers is 100 cubic meters. km, and the loss of water through evaporation is 70 cubic meters. km. Due to the absence of a visible source of water from the lake, while the water of the lake remains fresh, Nachtigall suggests the existence of an underground channel in the northeast direction to the Aegean and Borku. Near the river mouths the water in the lake is fresh, in the rest of the lake it is slightly brackish; the insignificance of mineralization is apparently explained by the constant change of water in the lake due to the underground outflow of infiltration waters. In a very rainy season (which happens extremely rarely), with extraordinary high levels the water's edge, a temporary surface runoff of the lake is formed in the north-east (along the dry bed of the Bahr el-Ghazal). The dark, dirty water of the lake is thickly overgrown with algae in places. From July to November, under the influence of rains, the water level gradually rises and the low southwestern coast is widely flooded almost to Cook. Over a considerable area, the lake is very shallow (you can wade across it on horseback); great depth The western part of Ngornu and Maduari is different. The maximum depth during the rainy season is 11 meters. The banks are mostly swampy and overgrown with papyrus; to the northeast the area has the character of a steppe, and only the southern coast is distinguished by rich tropical vegetation.
In the eastern part, the lake is covered with a network of islands (up to 100 in number), of which the Buduma, Karka and Kuri groups are inhabited (up to 30 thousand people) by people from neighboring tribes (Buduma, Kuri, Kanemba, Kanuri, Bulala and Datsa).
In 2006, the lake with an area of 23 thousand square kilometers, located on the borders of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, shrank 26 times and continues to dry out, which became known thanks to Earth monitoring carried out by the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation system. It is known that Chad is drying up for the seventh time in a row. last millennium. Scientists-paleontologists established this from the remains of animals found there.
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World Travel
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13.05.16 12:17
For those who have never been to the Dark Continent, Africa is associated with the Sahara Desert (and other badlands), the pyramids of Egypt, savannahs and the picturesque Serengeti nature reserve with its diverse fauna. For some reason, we lose sight of the beautiful lakes of Africa - this is also one of the riches of the continent. Let's talk about them.
The most beautiful lakes in Africa: where to go
The deepest in the world
This lake, located in the Great Rift Valley, has two names - Malawi and Nyasa, and is one of the largest in Africa. In the list of the deepest lakes in the world, Nyasa ranks third - after our Baikal and Tanganyika. The reservoir is not the property of any one country; the lake is located in the territories of Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. It is included in the same name national park. The shores enchant with their scenery, and swimming in aquamarine waters teeming with exotic fish is a real pleasure.
And here is Tanganyika, second only to Baikal in depth and considered the longest on the mainland (stretching across the expanses of Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo). One of the popular local crafts is fishing for aquariums. Tanganyika can be proud of its rich fauna - in addition to exotic fish, it is home to crocodiles, hippos, various mollusks and crustaceans, and colonies of waterfowl settle here.
The color miracle of Senegal
You've probably seen this Senegalese miracle in ratings of colored lakes. We are accustomed to turquoise, blue, almost transparent, emerald waters of rivers and lakes, but Retba has such a pronounced pink color! It has long been proven that its color is due to unicellular algae of the species Dunaliella salina. These crumbs settle only in very salty waters. Retba also has a high concentration of salt, so local residents have something to do. They extract salt of an unusual pinkish hue from the bottom of the lake and sell it.
If you happen to visit Zimbabwe, don't forget to visit the lake called Kariba. This is one of the most charming places in the country - especially for those who love and appreciate natural beauty. It is very pleasant to spend a few days of vacation in such amazing scenery - nice houses of varying degrees of comfort are scattered along the banks at the disposal of tourists.
Beautiful and dangerous
Kivu, located on the border of Rwanda and Congo, is one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa. As for Rwanda, its inhabitants do not suffer at all from being landlocked: sandy beaches and the turquoise-clear waters of Kivu make up for it. Riding a boat and enjoying the views and dramatic sunsets is so great! On the other hand, it is better not to go into some places of the lake: there are emissions of methane and carbon dioxide (due to underwater volcanoes).
Rugged lagoons and sea of salt
Experts call Lake Assal best place holiday in the small republic of Djibouti, located in East Africa. The lake is quite shallow, but its rugged shores (this is the lowest place on the continent) and lagoons are very beautiful. Assal, nestled in the center of the state, boasts a high concentration of salt (350%).
High mountain tandem
The duo of lakes Rutundu and Alice are high-altitude reservoirs (they are located on the slopes of Mount Kenya at an altitude of approximately 3 km above sea level). If you are in good physical condition, you can easily reach these African lakes on foot. Otherwise, you will be taken there by helicopter. The places around the lake tandem seem so wild that you will feel like a pioneer.
The largest in the country
But this is not only beautiful, but also the largest lake in Africa (by area). In addition, it is the largest lake in the world located in the tropics. The coasts of Victoria cover Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Boat trips - especially at sunset - on the lake can turn into a trip into a fairy tale. Victoria's waters are full of fish, there are crocodiles, and the coast also boasts a rich fauna (from giraffes, mongooses and pythons to elephants and chimpanzees and rhinoceroses). Here is the Rubondo Nature Reserve, which can only be traveled on foot.
Fairytale oasis
The incredible landscape of the shores of Lake Umm al-Maa will make anyone, even the most experienced naturalist, admire it. This is an oasis lake that arose in the middle of the sand dunes of the great Libyan Desert. The desert landscape reflected in the waters adds even more mystery and charm to the area - it seems like it’s just a mirage! It is clear that the water in Umm al-Maa is always very warm, so swimming will be a real pleasure.
At the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains
Another beautiful lake in Africa, Naveron, lies at the foot of the southern spurs of the Drakensberg Mountains. This is one of the pearls of South Africa, far from civilization and bustle modern world. On the shores of the lake there are cottages and small houses where you can relax, enjoying the views of the lake and the extraordinary tranquility that reigns in the foothills.
Home for pink flamingos
In addition to the majestic and full-flowing Victoria, there are several others in Kenya, smaller, but with their own zest. These include the decoration of the Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru, around which one of the Kenyan national parks is formed. The fascinating landscape, and most importantly, the thousands of flamingos that have chosen these places, make the lake magically beautiful. After admiring the shores, you will understand why they attract birds. Thanks to the flamingos, the lake seems to be shrouded in pink haze.
The list of the most beautiful lakes in Africa is completed by another Kenyan miracle – Lake Bogoria. It is famous for its geysers, which spew fountains of boiling water to a height of up to five meters (this phenomenon is not at all typical for Africa). And here, like on Nakuru, there lives a huge population of flamingos. So if you want to see both geysers and these birds at the same time, thoroughly explore the surroundings of Bogoria.
LAKES OF AFRICA
Largest lakes in Africa:
|
Name |
Area km sq |
Maximum depth m |
| Victoria lake | ||
| Tanganyika lake | ||
| Nyasa lake | ||
| Chad lake | ||
| Rudolph Lake | ||
| Albert (Mobutu-Sese-Seko) lake | ||
| Mveru lake | ||
| Bangweulu lake | ||
| Tana lake | ||
| Kivu lake | ||
| Kyoga lake | ||
| Rukwa lake | ||
| Mai-Ndombe lake | ||
| Edward Lake |
Great African Lakes- several large lakes located in and around the East African Rift Zone. Includes Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, and Tanganyika, the second deepest and largest lake in the world. List of lakes: Tanganyika, Victoria, Albert, Edward, Kivu, Malawi.
Some consider only Lakes Victoria, Albert and Edward to be Great Lakes, since only these three lakes drain into the White Nile. Tanganyika and Kivu drain into the Congo River system, and Malawi drains into the Zambezi via the Shire River.
Tanganyika- large lake in Central Africa, coordinates of the central part - 5°30 S. w. 29°30 in. d. (G).
In terms of volume and depth, Lake Tanganyika ranks second after Lake Baikal. The shores of the lake belong to four countries - the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi.
The length of the lake is about 650 km, width 40-80 km. Area 34 thousand sq. km. It lies at an altitude of 773 meters above sea level in the tectonic basin of the East African Rift Zone.
The lake is home to hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and many waterfowl. Fishing and shipping are well developed.
Victoria, Victoria Nyanza, Ukerewe (Victoria, Victoria Nyanza) - a lake in East Africa, in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Located in the tectonic trough of the East African Platform, at an altitude of 1134 m. The 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior and the largest lake in Africa.
Area 68 thousand sq. km, length 320 km, maximum width 275 km. It is part of the Victoria Reservoir. Many islands. The high-water Kagera River flows in and the Victoria Nile River flows out. The lake is navigable; local residents fish on it.
The northern coast of the lake crosses the equator. The lake, with a maximum depth of 80 m, is a fairly deep lake.
Unlike its deep-sea neighbors Tanganyika and Nyasa, which lie within the African gorge system, Lake Victoria fills the shallow depression between the eastern and western sides of the Great Gorge valley. The lake receives a huge amount of water from rain, more than from all its tributaries.
Its waters are home to a huge number of crocodiles, and the lang fish (fish) that lived here 300 million years ago still lives here. She can inhale and hold air in her gills, like in her lungs. This rare fish is a link between ordinary fish and land animals.
Malawi(Nyasa) is a lake in Central-Eastern Africa. The lake runs from north to south, length 560 km, depth 706 m. Northern and eastern shore steep with a poorly developed shelf, the southern and western coasts are flat. Water losses occur from surface evaporation (80%) and from the waters of the Sheri River flowing in the south of the lake. There are two climatic seasons: rainy (November - May) and dry (May - November).
Lake Chad(Tchad, Chad, in Arabic Bar es Salaam) is an endorheic relic lake located in central Africa. Located at an altitude of 240 m above sea level.
The surface of the lake is not constant: usually occupying about 27 thousand square meters. km, the lake in the rainy season overflows to 50 thousand, and in the dry season it shrinks to 11 thousand square meters. km. From the south, the rivers Shari with a wide and shallow delta and Mbulu flow into the lake, from the west - Komadugu-Vaube, and from the east - the shallow Bar el-Ghazal. According to Nachtigall, the influx of water through rain and rivers is 100 cubic meters. km, and the loss of water through evaporation is 70 cubic meters. km. Due to the absence of a visible source of water from the lake, while the water of the lake remains fresh, Nachtigall suggests the existence of an underground channel in the northeast direction to the Aegean and Borku. Near the river mouths the water in the lake is fresh, in the rest of the lake it is slightly brackish; the insignificance of mineralization is apparently explained by the constant change of water in the lake due to the underground outflow of infiltration waters. In a very rainy season (which happens extremely rarely), with unusually high levels of the water's edge, a temporary surface runoff of the lake is formed in the northeast (along the dry bed of Bahr el-Ghazal). The dark, dirty water of the lake is thickly overgrown with algae in places. From July to November, under the influence of rains, the water level gradually rises and the low southwestern coast is widely flooded almost to Cook. Over a considerable area, the lake is very shallow (you can wade across it on horseback); The western part near Ngornu and Maduari is distinguished by great depth. The maximum depth during the rainy season is 11 meters. The banks are mostly swampy and overgrown with papyrus; to the northeast the area has the character of a steppe, and only the southern coast is distinguished by rich tropical vegetation.
In the eastern part, the lake is covered with a network of islands (up to 100 in number), of which the Buduma, Karka and Kuri groups are inhabited (up to 30 thousand people) by people from neighboring tribes (Buduma, Kuri, Kanemba, Kanuri, Bulala and Datsa).
In 2006, the lake with an area of 23 thousand square kilometers, located on the borders of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, shrank 26 times and continues to dry out, which became known thanks to Earth monitoring carried out by the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation system. It is known that Chad is drying out for the seventh time in the last millennium. Scientists-paleontologists established this from the remains of animals found there.
Assal- crater lake in the center of Djibouti. The lake lies 155 m below sea level in the Afar Lowlands, the lowest point in Africa. The lake's salinity is 35%, making it the saltiest lake in the world. The lake is surrounded by a dense, saline layer of soil. The salt is mined and sent in caravans to Ethiopia.