Which river is the Victoria Falls? Accurate data, figures, statistics and comparison

Before talking about what river Victoria Falls is on, let's find out what a waterfall is in principle, than it differs from ledges and rapids.

What is a waterfall

The path of any river, rivulet, brook is long and ornate. On its route can meet anything. In order to "get around" the obstacle, the water flow curls and twists (this is clearly seen in pictures taken from space). The only obstacle that any trickle (even if it is of a very impressive size) can not get around, is a ledge (it should not be confused with a cliff, as this is already the "hands" of the river itself). If the "threshold", from which it is necessary to "jump" to the water, is small, then this place will not be called a waterfall. The minimum drop height should be one meter.

Most often such places are formed as a result of shifts of tectonic rocks. Our planet is a living organism, growing, changing. This is exactly what the faults that appear in one place or another say. If at the moment of movement of terrestrial rocks on this place the river flowed, then it has nothing left to do, how to succumb to the laws of physics and fall down. So on our Earth there were almost all waterfalls, except artificially created, naturally.

If the river was large enough, it spills in a place of falling to grandiose size, hoping to find a place where you can not "jump", but more often this is a useless occupation, resulting in the grandeur of the external appearance. This is what the largest waterfalls of the world look like. In addition, the height of the fall of many reaches a hundred-meter height, so even in width it stretches for several kilometers, creating something unique and delightfully beautiful.

The Zambezi River

Which river is the Victoria Falls? On the one that flows through the expanses of Africa, it crosses several states, supplying the inhabitants of the continent with drinking water, the Zambezi. The river takes its origin in the black swamps of Zambia. The height of the highlands is about 1500 meters above sea level. It flows into the Indian Ocean. It is one of the longest rivers of the African continent. Its length is 2,574 km, and the Victoria Waterfall is an ornament. On the map and photos taken from a bird's-eye view, the scale of the current that collects the waters of several large rivers and a stormy stream that bursts into the ocean is clearly visible. Despite the considerable length of the river, it was built only five bridges. There are 2 large hydroelectric power stations and one small one.

Now you have an idea on which river the Victoria falls. I would like to not forget about two more faults, from which the waters of the Zambezi fall: Chuvama and Ngambwe, which, like Victoria, make the river a unique and amazing ornament of our planet.

The best

The highest and incredible waterfall in the world is Angel. The river Churun, flowing through the territory of South America, is forced to fall from the height of the canteen of the mountain Auyantepuy, and its height, by the way, is more than 1000 meters, and if to be precise, it is 1,054 km.

The second largest "drop" of water is on the African continent. This river Tugela is forced to descend from a height of 948 meters, forming the eponymous waterfall.

Despite the foregoing, the world recognition is not the highest and powerful, and bright and spectacular waterfalls. To the inhabitants of the world it does not matter at what height the water falls, the main thing is that it should be beautiful. There is a list of unforgettable natural wonders, where the Victoria falls takes the second place of honor. At the first Iguassu Falls, which is included not only in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but also received the title of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Victoria Falls

Geologists believe that a narrow fault in the earth's crust, which blocked the way to the Zambezi River, was formed a million years ago. As a result, water flowing on an even plateau has to fall from a height of about one hundred and twenty meters, creating a noise, which can be heard within a radius of forty kilometers. The locals nicknamed him for this "thundering smoke." A huge stream of water falls, creating a fountain of spray, able to rise during the rainy season to an incredible height, forming a fog. This is what locals take for smoke. Moreover, the "wall" of small drops creates an incredible beauty rainbow both from the sun and from the moon at night. They say that it is the night (which appears on the full moon) that is most memorable and fascinating.

Coordinates

On what river the Victoria falls is more or less clear, but the river is not a lake, you can not look at it, it flows hundreds of kilometers, crossing the territories of several states. Where exactly is the waterfall?

It is considered a natural border between two states, which formed national parks around it in the hope of preserving it for descendants. Zambia and Zimbabwe take care of the preservation of the world heritage called the Victoria Falls. True, the locals sincerely believe that the waterfall should be indicated in the world maps under the true name "Thundering smoke". The exact coordinates are as follows: latitude - 17 ° 55'28 "S (south), longitude - 25 ° 51'24" E (east).

History

Declared by UNESCO World Heritage, Mosi-oa-Tunya (Smoky smoke, the same Victoria) is considered the only waterfall in the world, having a width of almost two kilometers. He was recognized as the most spectacular landmark in Africa. Visiting tourists it became relatively recent, only after the river was built railway bridge, and it happened in 1905.

The first "tourist" who described the waterfall, became Livingston. In November 1855, while studying the Zambezi River, he naturally stumbled upon a waterfall. His impressions of what he saw, he could not even describe, not finding anything suitable for comparison, located in Europe. He owns the idea of calling a waterfall in honor of Queen Victoria's mother.

Tourism

A peculiar zigzag-like course attracts fans of rafting and kayakers to the region. Jumping is another popular entertainment on the waterfall. Leap from a huge height on the "rubber band" leaves an unforgettable impression. But the entertainment offered by guides and guides is nothing compared to the grandiose natural beauty. This is why millions of tourists come to the waterfall to see the creation of God's hands with their own eyes.