Zambezi (the river in Africa) where originates and where it flows? Zambezi: source, length, location on the map and photo

In Central Africa, as in the northern part of this continent, there is its own unique, chic and very full-featured landmark - the Zambezi. The river originates in Zambia, and flows through such powers as Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. In Mozambique, the mouth of the Zambezi flows into the Indian Ocean. With the flow of this river is the greatest attraction of Africa - Victoria Falls.

River flow. Top part

The source of the Zambezi River is in the northwestern part of Zambia, surrounded by black marshes. The height above sea level here is one and a half meters. A little above the source is a mountain slope, along which there is a clear watershed between the basins of two water currents - the Congo and the Zambezi. The river flows to the southwest, and approximately on the 240th kilometer tributaries begin to flow into it. On one of the slopes the river passes into a small Chawam waterfall. This makes it unsuitable for navigation. During its first 350 km, approximately to the Victoria Falls, the altitude above which sea water runs is approximately the same. It changes its direction a couple of times from the south to the east, but these changes are insignificant. In the place where the waterfall is located, the upper Zambezi ends. The river in central Africa brings to the Victoria Falls most of its waters, forming in this place an amazing phenomenon, to admire which come billions of tourists.

The middle part of the river

Victoria Falls is considered a dividing line between the sources of the river and its middle reaches. Starting from it, the channel is directed already strictly to the east, where it lies between the hills. The approximate length of this part of the pond is 300 meters. Also note that the source of the Zambezi River, which we mentioned above, is surrounded by shrubs, savannah and sandy-clay rocks. Here, the waters flow along the basalts, which form hills and small rocks, enclosing the waters of the river. An important point of the middle part is the Caribbean Reservoir (it is also called Lake Kariba). This is one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. It was formed here in the middle of the 20th century, after the Zambezi was built in the middle reaches of the same dam. Since then, and up to now, the Caribbean HPP has enabled all residents of the vicinity to use electricity. Also during the middle course we meet two more major tributaries - Kafue and Luangwa, which flow into the Zambezi. The river becomes wider and fuller due to them. Therefore, a little further downstream was built another dam - Kabora-Bassa. At this point the middle part of the Zambezi ends.

The lower channel of the water artery

Zambezi, crossing the reservoir of Kabora-Bassa, redirects its waters to the west. The length of its final part is the largest in comparison with the previous ones, namely 650 km. This area is already suitable for shipping, but here there are often shoals. The fact is that the terrain along which the waters flow is a broad valley, and they simply spread along it, forming a wide river, but not very deep. Narrow the channel only when it passes through the canyon of Lupata. Here its width is only 200 meters, while in all other places the river literally blurs up to 5-8 kilometers. At a distance of 160 km from the ocean, the Zambezi intersects with the river. Wider. Due to this, it is fed by its waters, as well as by waters from the lake of Malawi. After that, our beauty splits into many small channels, forming a delta. Near the shores of the Indian Ocean, the Zambezi River on the map looks like a triangular sleeve that connects with large waters.

Tributaries of the river

This stream is considered on the continent as the fourth largest among its "brethren". The Zambezi River in Africa would not have been so full of water, if not for its many tributaries, crossing its channel of the lake and canals. Well, consider them in more detail. The first and most important feeding artery of the water flow is the river Kapombo. It originates in the hills, where the origins of Congo and Zambezi are close together. In the first knee of our research subject, where the direction varies from west to east, it is crossed by Kwanda - a very full river. In the middle course of the Zambezi, the waters of Kafue and Langi feed. Below we meet another extremely important inflow - Luangwa. It not only delivers its waters to the Zambezi, but also touches Lake Malawi, making it very wide and deep. In the lower part of the current, the river is fed by the tributaries of the tributaries of Sanyati, Shangani and Hanyani.

History and study of the reservoir

The people of knowledge about this geographical object were still in the era of the early Middle Ages. Historians believe that this knowledge was based on the Arab chronicles and documents. Thus, the Zambezi River on the map of Africa appeared in the distant 1300s, but only high-ranking people could know about it, as you understand. A major study of these African waters began only in the 19th century. The first person who drew attention to the river from a scientific point of view was David Livingston. He swam upstream, starting from Lake Malawi and ending with the Victoria Falls. On the way I found many of the now known tributaries and gave them their names. Until the end of the century, the river and all the elements adjoining it were thoroughly studied by Europeans, and all the data were firmly entrenched on the world maps.

Fish world

Most of the fish that are found in the waters of the Zambezi are endemics. All their types are found exclusively in this area. And even if many of the names that we list below will seem familiar to you, then be sure that in fact this water inhabitant will not look the way we used to contemplate it. There is a special microflora that allows all living organisms to develop differently than in Europe or in America. So, there are cichlids of various types, soma, terapon and catfish. A very popular inhabitant of the lower riverbed is the Tumored Shark, or the Shark Bull. It occurs both in the coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and in the Zambezi gorges.

Fauna

Based on the previous material, you can imagine where the Zambezi River is from a geographical point of view. This is the central part of the African continent, a tropical belt, a zone of eternal heat, sand and savannah. It is through such a landscape that the Zambezi flows, creating around it a corresponding fauna. There are countless crocodiles of various species. According to this characteristic, the river can be compared with the Nile. Along with them, live smaller lizards, as well as snakes (especially in the source area, where there are many marshes). On land there are elephants, zebras, bulls, lions, buffaloes - in a word, a typical African safari. Birds in the heavens above the Zambezi, alas, not so much. Here, lizards, pelicans, African eagles fly, and along the banks of the river are herons.

"Fish" economy

One can understand just looking at the photo: the Zambezi River is very full, wide, rich in fauna and flora, therefore it is a significant economic link in the development of all the countries in whose territory it flows. In addition to the fact that two giant hydropower plants are built here, which supply electricity to all adjacent countries and cities, fishing also thrives here. Residents of cities that grew on the banks of the Zambezi can use the gifts of its waters free of charge to feed their families. Visitors from more remote settlements pay a tax for fishing here. Many of the banks of the Zambezi are sport fishing. Here come for the pleasure and rare species of fish people from all over the world. Also from the river basin they catch those endemics that serve as an ornament for any aquarium.

Ecological situation

Perhaps the description of the ecology of the Zambezi River we will begin with its problems, since they are truly large-scale. All the misfortunes are that the wastewater is discharged here, and not directly through special treatment facilities, but directly. Sewage from settlements, from ports, single houses and other objects simply merges into the river. This causes not only water pollution, but also causes diseases such as typhus, cholera, dysentery, and a host of other more or less serious infections. Great problems also arose after the construction of the Cabourg-Bass Hydroelectric Power Station. This artificial lake was filled with rain, literally in one season, while the authorities planned that it would be filled gradually over several years. As a result, the runoff sharply decreased, which resulted in a reduction in the mangrove area around the water. This scared away the animals that used to live on the banks of the river. Many useful micronutrients also disappeared from waters, the number of species of fish that lived here decreased.

Transport situation

In general, the length of the Zambezi River is 2,574 kilometers, taking into account all of its knees and turns. This makes it one of the largest waterways in Africa, but it is not at all a sign that it is the ideal transport artery of its region. We have already said above that the river bed often changes its direction, and cardinally, the same applies to its width, depth and other indicators. The main obstacle to navigation is artificial lakes, dams and waterfalls that cross its current. Nevertheless, often many transport operations take place precisely because of the individual sections of this reservoir. For example, often pass steamers on the lower part of the Zambezi, which carry both passengers and cargo. The middle and upper parts of the river are used mainly by local residents. The surrounding roads are always blurred due to the instability of local soils, and on a boat to get from one village to another is the easiest.

Bridges across the Zambezi

The fourth largest in the water flow of Africa crosses only five bridges. Their construction began at the dawn of the 20th century, and still lasts, despite the fact that many projects have already been implemented. The first was built in 1905 in the city of Victoria Falls. It rises 125 meters above the surface of the water, its width is 150 meters, and its length is 250 meters. Since then it has been reconstructed, but has not been fundamentally rebuilt. Initially, it was planned as part of a railroad that would run from Cape Town to Cairo. Further, in 1939, a bridge was built in the city of Chirundu (Zambia), which was rebuilt in 2003, and in the 60s bridges appeared in the cities of Tete and Chinwings. In later years, namely in 2004, the construction of the last, fifth bridge across the Zambezi was completed. It lies between the cities of Sesheke (Zambia) and Katimo-Mulilo (Namibia).

Cities and villages surrounding the river

We examined where the Zambezi River originates, where it flows into, and what other waters it crosses during the course of the current. Now the subject of consideration are settlements, surrounding its banks. First, the river passes to a greater or lesser extent through six countries. Among them, we will name Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. But the cities that are located on its shores, there are more. Let us list them briefly: Lakalu, Kariba, Mongu, Tete, Songo, Lilui, Livingston, Sesheke and Katimo-Mulilo. All settlements are very small geopolitical objects. In total, only 32 million people live in the river valley. Most of them lead a rural way of life, content with local floating grounds and almost complete absence of livestock. Local cities earn mainly on tourism, but this industry is not properly developed here either. Many of them are fishing, poaching is also flourishing.