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The largest river in Africa is the Nile. The longest river in Africa. Brief description of the rivers of Africa

Among the African rivers, Atlantic Ocean rivers flow into: Congo (Zaire) - the most full-flowing and second longest river in Africa, Niger, Senegal, Gambia and Orange. In the Mediterranean - the Nile (the longest river in Africa). The flow to the Indian Ocean is carried out mainly by the Za Mbezi River.

The stepping of the surface causes the rapids of many rivers and the formation of waterfalls. The largest and most beautiful waterfall in Africa is on the Zambezi River (border between Zambia and Zimbabwe).

About one third of the area of Africa - the area of internal flow, in the main temporary watercourses. Unique natural phenomenon of internal runoff - (in Botswana)

Rivers of Africa:

Gambia- a river in West Africa (Guinea, Senegal and Gambia). The length is about 1200 km. It flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Floods from July to October. It is navigable for 467 km from the mouth, where the city of Banjul is located.

Zambezi- the fourth longest river in Africa. The area of the basin is 1,570,000 square kilometers, the length is 2,574 km. The source of the river is in Zambia, the river flows through Angola, along the border of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, to Mozambique, where it flows into the Indian Ocean. The name Zambezi was given to the river by its discoverer among Europeans, David Livingston, and comes from the distorted Kasambo Wayze - the name in one of the local dialects.
One of the most striking features of the Zambezi is the Victoria Falls, one of the greatest waterfalls in the world.
There are many other remarkable waterfalls in Zambezi: Chavuma on the border of Zambia and Angola and Ngambwe, in Western Zambia. For the entire course of the river across the Zambezi, there are only five bridges in the cities: Chinwingi, Katima Mulilo, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Tete.
Two large hydroelectric power plants were built on the river - Kariba HPP, which provides electricity to Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Kabora-Bassa HPP in Mozambique, which provides electricity to Zimbabwe and South Africa. There is also a small power plant in Victoria Falls.

Congo (Zaire) - big river in Central Africa, flows under the name of Chambezi between lakes Nyasa and Tanganyika at an altitude of 1590 m above sea level, Lake Bangveolo flows and under the name of Luapuda - Lake Moero, connects with Luadaba and Lukuga; both in the upper and lower reaches it forms many rapids and waterfalls (Stanley Falls and a number of Livingston Falls); flows into the Atlantic Ocean in a wide (11 km) and deep channel.
The length of the Congo is 4374 km, navigable for 1600 km. The area of the basin is 3680 thousand sq. km.
Tributaries on the right: Aruvimi, Rubi, Mongalla, Mobangi (Ouelle), Saaga-Mambere, Likuala-Lekoli, Alima, Lefini; left: Lomami, Lulongo, Ikelemba, Ruki, Kassai with Sankuru and Kuango, Lualaba.

Limpopo- a river in South Africa, flows south of Pretoria from the Witwatersrand mountains (1800 m), in upstream its own, crosses the Mogali Mountains and connects with Mariko. After passing 1600 km and taking in many tributaries, it flows into the Indian Ocean north of Delagoa Bay.
Limpopo is navigable from the point where it is at 32° E, connecting with Nuanetsi.

Niger is the most important river in West Africa. The length is 4160 km, the basin area is 2092 thousand square kilometers, the third in Africa after the Nile and the Congo in terms of these parameters.
The source is in Guinea, then the river flows through Mali, Niger, along the border of Benin, then flows through Nigeria and flows into the Gulf of Guinea.
Main tributaries: Milo, Bani (right); Sokoto, Kaduna and Benue (left).

Nile- a river in northern and northeastern Africa, one of the two longest rivers in the world. The length of the Nile (including Kagera) is about 6,700 km (the most commonly used figure is 6,671 km), from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea - about 5,600 km.
The basin area, according to various sources, is 2.8-3.4 million km2 (completely or partially covers the territories of Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt). m The average discharge from Aswan is 2,600 m3 / s, but in different years fluctuations from 500 m3 / s to 15,000 m3 / s are possible. The river originates in the East African Plateau and flows into the Mediterranean Sea, forming a delta. In the upper reaches, it receives large tributaries - Bahr el-Ghazal (left) and Aswa, Sobat, Blue Nile and Atbara (right). Below the mouth of the right tributary of the Atbara, the Nile flows through the semi-desert, having no tributaries for the last 3000 km.

orange a river in South Africa. It originates in the Dragon Mountains on the border of South Africa and Lesotho, flows through the territory of Namibia and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The length is 2200 km, the basin area is 973,000 km2.
The well-known 146-meter Augrabis waterfall (South Africa) is located on the Orangeray River.
The name of the river comes from the Orange dynasty.

Senegal river located in West Africa and forms a natural border between the states of Senegal and Mauritania. The length of the river is about 1970 km.
The area of the river basin is 419`575 km2 and the annual discharge of water into the Atlantic Ocean is close to 8 million km2. Main tributaries: Falem, Karakoro and Gorgol.
In 1972, Mali, Senegal and Mauritania founded the Senegal River Restoration Organization to jointly manage the river basin. Guinea joined this organization in 2005.

Length: about 600 kilometers.

Basin area: 178,000 square kilometers.

Where it flows: it is formed from the connection of the Ulanga River, which is 68 meters wide and navigable in some places, with the Luwego (Luvu) River, which is still little explored; both rivers originate in the Livingston Mountains. On the left side, Rufiji receives a significant tributary of Ruanga, which begins in the mountains near the northern bank of Nyassa and flows through the regions of Urori (Uzango), Ugege, Magenda, Uzagara and Kgutu; then the river passes through the mountains of Tundazi, where it forms the falls of Pangani, and, starting from Korogero, widens, at Gunguno (39 ° east longitude) it becomes navigable for small steamers and at 7 ° 56` south latitude flows into the Indian Ocean against the island of Mafia, forming with its 12 branches, the delta is 65 kilometers wide; there are three harbors at the mouth of the river: Sandazi - at the northern arm, Kiaju - at the southern one, and Kukundzha - somewhat upstream on the arm of the same name.

Feeding method: rain.

Freezing: does not freeze.

Length: 2,200 kilometers.

Basin area: 973,000 square kilometers

Where it flows: the Orange River flows through the countries: South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia. It originates on the western side of the Katlamba Mountains, with two branches, of which the southern one, called Nu-Garip, or the Black River, as well as the Orange, Noka-Sinku, is considered the upper one, and the northern one, Gay-Garip, or Vaal River (Yellow River) , - lower. Both of them, with innumerable tributaries, flow in a westerly direction and join at 29°10` South latitude and 24°18` East longitude. Nu-Garip, or Orange, flows from the heights of Katkin Peak at an altitude of 3,160 meters, irrigates the land of Bazatos and, on a long journey, forms the border between the Orange Republic and the Cape Colony. On the right side, the Caledon River, or Mogokara, flows into it. Gay-Garip, or Baal, or Likva follows from the environs. Ermelo and separates the Orange Republic from the Republic of South Africa and takes on the right: Mooi and Harts. After the connection of both branches, the Orange line forms the southern border of the land of the Hottentots and flows at 28 ° 38 'south latitude into the Atlantic Ocean. Between the confluence of these last two rivers, the Orange River forms the Angrabi waterfall, 46 meters high; in its lower reaches, in rainy times, the river has a width of 5 kilometers. Shallow-water Orange is almost everywhere and, as a result, in spite of its length, it is not navigable; at the mouth it is blocked by sandbars. Thunderstorms characteristic of this part of Africa often raise the water level by 6-10 meters against the usual.

Tributaries: Molopo, Kuruman, Nozobom, Aub, Ongars, Khartibes.

Freezing: does not freeze.

Length: 1,600 kilometers.

Basin area: 394,000 square kilometers

Where it flows: a river in the northwestern part of Africa, in upper Guinea. The Volta is formed from the many rivers that irrigate the French Sudan, the most important of them: the Western, or Black Volta (Kitamu, Adere) and the Eastern, or White Volta (Iode, Baliviri, Moare). By combining these two constituent parts The Volta receives significant Daku rivers from the north and flows south, forming the border between the English and German possessions on the Gold Coast, at the city of Kpong it turns sharply to the East and flows at the city of Ada into the Gulf of Benin of the Atlantic Ocean. Shallow-draft ships on the Volta run at a distance of 400 kilometers to the city of Kete Kratchi, for sea vessels to Kpong (92 kilometers) only during rainy season (from July to October). The Volta flows through the countries: Ghana and Burkina Faso.

Feeding method: mainly rain.

Tributaries: The main tributary is the Ooty River.

Freezing: does not freeze.

Length: 6,670 kilometers.

Basin area: 2,870,000 square kilometers

Where it flows: Nile - one of the longest rivers in the world, in Africa, the sacred river of Egypt; for the source take Kager, or Alexander Nile, a tributary of the lake. Victoria Nyanza, from which flows to the North Kivir, or Somerset Nile. The latter forms the Ripon waterfalls, passes through the lakes: Gita-Ntsige and Kodzha, at Mruli (here the depth is 3 - 5 m, the width is from 900 - 1,000 meters) turns to the North to Fovera, from here to the West, forms the Karinsky and Murchison waterfalls (36 meters high) and 12 rapids, rolls down to the second terrace, flowing at Magungo into Lake Albert. From the South, the river flows into Nyanza. Isango, or Countrymen, flowing from Albert Edward Lake, the 3rd source of the Nile. From Lake Albert (2.5 ° north latitude), the Nile goes under the name Bar el-Jebel to the North (400 - 1,500 meters wide), navigable only to Dufile, then cuts through the mountain ranges of the 2nd terrace, forms 9 rapids, at Lado descends 200 meters into the plains of eastern Sudan and loses the character of a mountain river. Of the tributaries along this path, the Nile receives the river. Assua and more mountain rivers; forming many islands, channels and branches, constantly meandering, the Nile slowly flows to the North to 9 ° 21` northern latitude, receives Bar-al-Ghazal from the West and turns to the East. During the rains, the Nile turns the valley north of Gaba-Shambe into a lake 100 kilometers wide, after which such thick grass grows here that it often causes the Nile to change direction. The whole plain between the Nile and its branch Seraph forms the swampy region of the Upper Nile. After passing 150 kilometers to the East and connecting with Seraph, the Nile takes the river. Sobat, she goes to meet him and makes him turn to the northwest; here the Nile takes the name of Bar el-Abiad, that is, the White Nile (actually the Transparent Nile), flows at a distance of 845 kilometers in a northerly direction and connects at Khartoum (15 ° 31 north latitude) with Bar el-Azrek, or the Blue Nile ( Muddy Nile). The latter begins in Abyssinia (10 ° 55`) at an altitude of 2,800 meters under the name Abai, flows into Lake Tana, exits (200 meters wide, 3 meters deep) from the south side of the lake, goes around the mountainous country of Gojjam and turns at 10 ° north latitude to the northwest - along this stretch it receives Jemma and Didessa on the left, Dinder (560 kilometers long) and Raat on the right.

The Blue Nile supplies Egypt with fertile silt and produces annual floods. The waters of Azrek and Abiad, connected in one channel under common name The Nile flows through the low uplands (330 meters) of the Libyan Desert. The Nile is navigable up to 17 ° north latitude, here it receives the last tributary of the Atbaru (1,230 kilometers long), navigation stops at 1,800 km, and rapids begin up to Aswan: the fifth threshold consists of 3 rapids between Shendi and Elkab, 4 threshold of seven ( 75 km long.) between Mograt Island and Mount Barkal, 3rd between Argo Island and Gerindid, 2nd, largest, of 9, between Dal Island and Wadigalfa, 1st between Philae Island and Aswan. The fall of the river along this stretch is 250 meters, at Aswan the Nile flows at an altitude of 101 meters above sea level, so that the remaining 1,185 kilometers to the mouth account for 101 meters of fall. The width of the Nile often changes along this path: at Shendi 165 meters, above the mouth of the Atbara 320 meters, below the fifth threshold 460, north of Vadigalf the Nile becomes wider, and between Esne and Cairo its width is from 500 to 2200 meters. The width of the valley between Abu Hammed and Edfu is from 500 to 1,000 meters. To the north of Edfu, the Nile expands to 3 kilometers, and to Cairo its width is from 4 to 28 kilometers. At Damer, the Nile changes its direction, bypasses the Bayud steppe from 3 sides, in the shape of the letter “S”, cuts through the mountains of the Nubian steppe; the windings of the Nile above Korosko are explained by the special arrangement of sandstone layers. From 27 ° north latitude, next to the Nile, the Yusuf (Joseph) canal flows, the remnant of ancient Egyptian waterworks, with numerous side channels, and flows in the North into Lake Fayum, which has great importance for the proper distribution of water in the Nile. To the northwest of Cairo (10 m above sea level) the delta begins, near the sea it reaches 270 kilometers wide. The Nile below Shubra was divided into 7 branches according to the ancients (Peluzsky, Talitsky, Mendezsky, Bukolsky, or Fatnichesky, Sebenitsky, Bolbitinsky and Kanopsky), and now only into Rozetsky and Damiutsky. Vost. The Kanop and western Pelusian arms were the most important in antiquity. The most important of the canals, Mamudiya, connecting Alexandria with the Rosetta arm, 77 kilometers long, 30 meters wide, was built by Megmet Ali; the short Menufsky (Bar el-Farunya) connects with the Yu Damietsky and Rosetsky sleeves. Tanitsky was turned into the Mulsky Canal, Pelusky into Abu-el-Menegsky. The surface of the delta is 22,194 square kilometers, the length of all channels is 13,440 kilometers. The length of the entire Nile, counting the Alexander Nile as the beginning, is 5,940 kilometers. The distance from the headwaters to the mouth in a straight line is 4,120 kilometers.
The lower reaches of the Nile had an advantage because of the proximity of the sea, but here the river has no tributaries at all, while the middle Nile is rich in them.

Feeding method: mainly rain. The river receives most of its water from its many tributaries.

Inhabitants: The most common inhabitants of the waters of the Nile and its banks are the Nile and Natal frogs, turtles, crocodiles and the Nile perch.

Freezing: does not freeze.

Length: 4,150 kilometers.

Basin area: 2,600,000 square kilometers.

Where it flows: The Niger River flows through the countries: Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Mali, Guinea. The Niger is the third largest after the Nile and the Congo and the 2nd most abundant river in West Africa, which is worn by coastal natives various titles, of which the name Joliba prevails in the upper reaches, in the middle - Egirreu, in the lower - Kvara or Kvorra, the Arabs call it Nil el-Abid (Nile of slaves). The Niger originates at 8°36`N and 10°33`W (from Greenwich) in the East of the Kong Mountains, in Kuranko, at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level and at the beginning flows North towards the desert, then turns to the Southeast and South and, through several branches, of which the largest are Sombrero, Nen, Brass and Forcado, pours into the Gulf of Guinea.

At 140 kilometers from its source, which, being sacred, is inaccessible to foreigners and for an exact definition, Niger, still called Tembi, takes a wide river from the left. Faliko with a tributary Tamikon, after which, under the name Joliba, flows to the North to 10 ° north latitude. Turning to the Northeast, it receives several small tributaries on the left, and significant tributaries on the right: Mifu and Yandan, or Niannu, turning again to C, it receives Milo and Tankisso; here the slope of the Niger decreases to half (only 329 meters above sea level), its channel becomes wider, but shallower - and it flows northeast for 400 kilometers, forming a border line between Sudan and the kingdom of Segou. At Bomak, the Niger in high water is up to 800 meters wide and forms rapids, capriciously changing the width of the channel; near Niamine it becomes navigable and turns south; its slope becomes even smaller, the channel is lower; at Massino, it divides into two main branches, which head north to Lake Debu. At Diafaraba, these arms are interconnected by natural channels, which, crossing, form the island area of Burgu of 200 square kilometers from a network of islands; on one of these islands lies the old Djenne, or Gineva, ch. d. The land of the Negroes, from which the whole country takes its name of Guinea. Further, Niger enters the territory of the fellahs, where it is called Issa and heads to the North, crossing the lake. Debo, receives many tributaries and again divides into the Danco and Mayo Balleo branches; near Kabara, the harbor of the city of Timbuktu, reaches 17 ° north latitude and flows to E along the Sahara desert; on this route, the rapids of the Tozaie impede navigation when slow current and among the extremely low shores, the Niger reaches the country of Ussa, where it bears the new name of Gulbin-nkovar, or Kovara. At Burrum the river turns sharply to the southeast and enters, after the marshy lowlands of Massina and the stony desert of Timbuktu, into a hilly country with tropical vegetation and again forms a whole network of branches near Gago, the ancient capital of the Sanrai empire. Having broken through the rapids surrounding the island of Bornu-Guntu, N. spreads like a wide tablecloth over the plain and only at Akarambai, to the south of the island of Ansongo, narrows again, constrained by walls of rocks, to a width of 30 meters.

In the middle reaches of the Niger, it receives: Goradzhende, flowing from Libtako, Kassani, or Tederimt, Sirbia, or Chirba, and Gulbi-n-Sokoto at Gomba. From Gomba to the rapids of Bussa, the Niger is navigable; steamboats run between Rabba and Lokoja, although even here sandy shoals sometimes interfere with navigation. Here the Kaduna or Liful flows into the Niger, and a little further on the Gurara; its most significant tributary, the Benue, flows into Lokodzhi, originating north of Ngauandare in Adamey, in the rainy season it joins Lake Chad. From Lokoja at Ebo (at the head of the delta), the Niger, joined to Benue, flows in a majestic stream, rushing south among the rocks and, leaning in gradual terraces, receives on the left a parallel tributary of the Amambaru. The width of Niger is increasing, and it rushes in a stream to the Atlantic Ocean, to the Gulf of Guinea, into which it flows through the above-mentioned arms. The Niger Delta covers an area of 25,000 square kilometers, is low-lying, swampy and covered with mangroves. The navigability of Niger depends, in addition to rapids and waterfalls, on its high water or shallow water. In the upper reaches of the Niger to Timbuktu, high water occurs from July to early January, and here it is navigable from Bammako to Timbuktu; in the middle reaches the Niger is deep and navigable from Gabba to Lokoja, from June to October; in the lower reaches from Lokoja to Akassa, thanks to the influx of Benue waters, the Niger is full from June to the end of September and has a secondary high water from January to the end of April, depending on the high water in the upper reaches; Here it is navigable at any time of the year.

Feeding method: the river is fed by the waters of the summer monsoon rains.

Tributaries: Milo (right), Bani (right), Sokoto (left), Kaduna (left), Benue (left).

Inhabitants: fishing is very developed in Niger, the main commercial species fish are: carp, perch, barbel (or barbel) and others.

Freezing: does not freeze.

Length: 16 00 kilometers.

Basin area: 750,000 square kilometers.

Where it flows: Juba - a river in Northeast Africa, in the southern part of the Somali peninsula, begins in the mountains at 7 ° 30` north latitude and between 39 ° and 40 ° east longitude, at an altitude of 2,265 meters above sea level. In its upper reaches, the Juba is called Ganale Gudda, then Ganana, and finally Juba. Near the harbor of Kismayu, Juba flows into the Indian Ocean. The headwaters and tributaries of the river were surveyed by Bottego, Grixoni and Ruspoli in 1892-93 and by Donaldson Smith in 1894. The Juba flows through Somalia and Ethiopia.

Feeding method: Juba feeds mainly on rainfall.

Inhabitants: giraffes, cheetahs, lions, leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, snakes, elephants, gazelles live along the river banks.

Freezing: does not freeze.

Length: 4,700 kilometers.

Basin area: 3,680,000 square kilometers

Where it flows: It flows through the territory of Angola, the Republic of the Congo. Falls into the Atlantic Ocean

Way of feeding: The Congo (or Zaire) is the largest river in Central Africa and the most abundant river in the world after the Amazon. Its lower course has been known to Europeans since the 16th century, and the rest since 1877 (the time when Stanley explored it). Congo originates at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level, about 9 ° south latitude and 32 ° east longitude, between lakes Niassa and Tanganaika, goes around the southern side of Lake Bangweola, taking in its sources. From here, under the name of Luapula, it meanders for 300 kilometers to Lake Meru or Mkata, at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level, and further, heading north-north-west, it connects with Ankora at 6 ° 30` south latitude, then with Adalaba at 27° east longitude. At 5°40` south latitude and 26°45` east longitude it takes in Lukuga, the source of Lake Tanganaiki; striving to the north, joins with Luama and, having reached a width of 1,000 meters, under the name of Lualaba, enters the land of Manyema at 4 ° 15 `south latitude and 26 ° 16` east longitude. Between Nyong and the equator, the Congo is navigable and flows straight north, taking in its path many as yet unexplored rivers, originating in gigantic forests.

From Niangwa, towards the mouth, the Congo ceases to be navigable, due to the rapids and Stanley waterfalls encountered here, but then it becomes navigable again to the mouth of the Kassai and here, taking in the Aruvimi, it expands to 20 kilometers and flows through a swampy region rich in lakes; then the channel of the Congo narrows again. Connecting with the last tributary, the channel of the Congo narrows with mountains and, on the way to Vivi, the river forms 32 waterfalls - Livingston rapids. Between Banana and Shark Point, the Congo flows into the Atlantic Ocean in a channel 11 kilometers wide and 300 meters deep, bringing 50,000 cubic meters of water per second into the sea, and carrying fresh water on its surface for 22 kilometers. At 40 km, the Congo has tides, then at 64 km the color of the water is light tea, and at 450 km it is brown. From the mouth, for 27 km, the Congo dug a seabed for itself. It contributes 35,000,000 cubic meters of particulate matter to the sea every year. High water occurs twice a year, at the mouth the highest water is in May and December, the lowest is in March and August; during the flood muddy waters The Congo are visible hundreds of miles away in the ocean.

Tributaries: Aruvimi (right), Rubi (right), Mongalla (right), Mobangi (right), Saaga-Mambere (right), Likuala-Lekoli (right), Alima (right), Lefini (right), Lomami (left) , Lulongo (left), Ikelemba (left), Ruki (left), Kassai (left), Lualaba (left)

Freezing: does not freeze.

Length: 2,660 kilometers.

Basin area: 1,570,000 square kilometers.

Where it flows: flows under the name of Liba from the swampy lake Dilolo, at 11 ° 30 `s latitude and 12.5 ° east longitude GMT. Then it flows in a southern and southeastern direction along a wide, annually flooded, plain. Around 17 ° south latitude, the river takes the name Zambezi and forms the famous Victoria Falls (Moasivatunya, that is, thundering smoke). Further, taking an easterly direction, the Zambezi, with repeated rapids and rapids, flows through a wooded mountainous country, turns to the Northeast, then flows again eastward to the Chicaronda rapids, from where it takes a southeasterly direction before flowing into the sea. Narrowed once more by the Lupata Hills, the Zambezi enters the coastal country and flows into the Indian Ocean between 18° and 19° south latitude, forming a vast delta (5,000 square kilometers between the north and south arms).

Feeding method: mainly from the left tributaries and from the Olifants river.

Tributaries: Olifants (main right tributary), Notvani (left), Shashi (left), Shangane (left).

Freezing: Does not freeze.

Rivers in Africa

We were on the ground and List of ten longest rivers in Africa together in developing research for you. All rivers have in common: they are wet! and Bring water and thus life to many parts of Africa! This leads to strange things, like on the Nile: You go to one of the Nilkreuzers and everything is great, everything is growing and prospering. But only about, two kilometers away from the river, is the rulers of the desert plain again. Quite a strange sight, you must experience on a visit to Egypt, in addition to the incredibly diverse marine life in the Red Sea – simply spectacular!

Africa and the longest river in the world - the Nile with 6852 km

Der Nile originates in the mountains of Rwanda and Burundi, then passes through Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan, before it joins Egypt in the Mediterranean. Its sources are called the blue and white Nile. It is the longest river in the world with 6852 km. South America repay the Amazon again more and more, however Africa certainly has the longest! Below from Cairo, the Nile Delta, which flows into the two main arms of the Mediterranean, is found. Since the construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1960, the Delta no longer grows into the sea, but has been partially washed away by the surf. Also help intensive irrigation in the Nile, get less and less less water from the Nile to the Mediterranean.

Video: Importance of the Nile Egypt

Runner-up for Rio Congo with 4374 km

River Congo with 4374 km long length, as well as the greatest power in Africa. The source of the river can be found in the southern part of the Congo, then flows through the Congo Basin and into the lowlands of Zaire in the Atlantic. The Congo has large land rapids, which are Stanley- and Livingstonefälle, which are the majority. Many tourists come here to experience this unique natural spectacle up close.

Third place: Lifeline Niger 4148 km

From 4148 km Niger ranked third in the list of streams in Africa. Its origin is located in the mountains of Guinea. From there it flows through Mali, in Nigeria's south the benamten river, along the border between Benin and Nigeria, where it flows into the Gulf of Guinea in one of the 200 km-wide deltas. Niger provides more than 100 Millions of people with and is therefore a worthy reservoir of drinking water for Africa's most populous countries.

Zambezi with 2574 km fourth

Fourth, he has Zambezi from 2574 brought km. The spring is located in the Zambezi National Spring Forest in Zambia, on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. From here, the Zambezi flows through Angola, Zambia and Mozambique, where it flows in one 880 km² large delta in the Indian Ocean. Highlights of his country tour are the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, up to 110 Water falls here at depth gauges. Several adjectives impressive and deafening, describe this tallest waterfalls across Africa.

The Ubangi River as the Fifth comes at 2272 km

The Ubangi River on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, the yakoma arises from the confluence of the tributary and the Uele. The Ubangi River flows around 550 km below Bangui or. about 90 Southwest of Mbandaki in the Congo. The length specification is its part of the river Uele. The river is one of the most important transportation routes in the area because many streets are often flooded during the rainy season.

Desert river Oranje in the sixth from 2160 km

Der Orange with 2160 Kilometers after the Zambezi River is the longest river in South Africa and the fifth-longest on the African continent. Onranje enstpringt to Lesotho and flows through the Drakensberg Mountains westward through South Africa. It forms the border between South Africa and Namibia on its lower reaches. The English name orange is often used in the atlas. Oranje transport large amounts of sand from inland to the mouth of the river in the South Atlantic. There is provided sand from a few on the coast of Namibia and forms the dunes of the Namib Desert. That's why orange as "Father Namib" is

Kasai 7 2153 km

Der Langhe 2.153 km Kasai- a tributary of the Congo River in Central Africa and just behind the Oranje is the sixth longest river in Africa. Its source originates in eastern Angola and flows northeast of Kinshasa into the Congo. In its history are two of the largest waterfalls: in the case of Pogge and Van case, which is a regional population as a natural spectacle and for water games are available.

Shabelle since 1820 km eighth

Der Shabelle at least 1820 river in Ethiopia and Somalia. river in Ethiopia and Somalia. Be nadir coast leopard flows as Shabelle means in Somalia, across the Indian Ocean to the southwest, where it seeps into wetlands. Only after heavy rains does it reach its mouth in Juba and the Indian Ocean near Jilib.

Okavango as ninth with 1800 km

The river rises Cubango in the center of Angola on the streams of the plateau and from there Bie in the park, the desert is like the interior of Botswana. There the water of the river in the swamps drainless Okavangobeckens disappears, It is located in the northeast of the Kalahari. There you will find the Moremi Nature Reserve. In its mid-course, the Okavango is inhabited by crocodiles and hippos. The delta is known for its great biodiversity. The length of the Okavango River is in publications with 1.600 or 1.800 km indicated. Both can be considered correct. The river is divided on one side of the inland delta into several branches, after which, somewhere at the end of the vast swamps. On the other hand, the length of the river runs is highly dependent on the water of the Okavango River, It is much longer than during the rainy season in summer to dry winter.

Last but not least Limpopo with 1750 km

River Limpopo forms the northern border of South Africa in Botswana and Zimbabwe, and marginal in the Bankside region of Mozambique. In addition, it passes through Mozambique on a route of about 400 Km. It is 1750 Kilometers long and covers an area of 415.000 km². The Limpopo is the second longest river in Africa and flows into the Indian Ocean. The Limpopo spring is located in Johannesburg, South Africa, near the Witwatersrand. The headwaters of the Limpopo River is called the Crocodile River. The mouth is located southwest of Xai Xai in Mozambique, where it flows into the Indian Ocean.

Other interesting African rivers

Juba from 1658 km

Der Juba or Jubba measures only 1.658 km. Its springs are located in the Ethiopian highlands, It crosses its Somalia, along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Often heavy rains cause flooding in Juba, the people in the villages around the river are the ones who suffer. The river is the namesake for the Somali airline Jubba Airways.

Volta from 1500 km

The river is formed from the confluence of three rivers near a large trading city Salaga in Ghana Volta dammed at the Akosombo Dam, Lake Volta, and then flows Southeast. Three rivers - Black, Red and White Volta. It flows through the great Barre with the strong surf of the Gulf of Guinea. Like the Nile and the Niger its annual flood area also has the Volta during September and October where it leaves fertile ground.

Tell me, tell me Cuando from 1500 km

Der Quando or Quando is a 1500 km long right tributary of the Zambezi River in southern Africa. In the lower reaches, this is the first Kwando, Then Linyanti and Chobe are called the last. The Cuando rises in the Bie Mountains in Angola and initially flows to the southeast. Then the border to Zambia. At Kazungula on the four country corner of Botswana, Namibia, the Zambezi River flows into Zambia and Zimbabwe. Mainly due to the high wildlife are a few national parks in the Cuando river basin to find.

Shari or Shari from 1400 km

Der Shari is 1.400 km long main tributary African Lake Chad. Its part of the Darfur is the source river, the North equatorial threshold and the Adamawa plateau. At N'Djamena, the Shari River joins the most important tributary, dem 960 km long, of the Logone region. After that, the river forms the border with Cameroon and flows into Lake Chad Sever.

1450Bring Lomami km

Der Lomami is a 1.450 km left tributary of the Congo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It rises in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the province of Katanga. From the source, which is located north of the streams and west of the fireplace, the North flows Lomami. He reached Isanga through an opal, According to which it flows into the Congo River. Lomami is navigable in the lower reaches.

The Senegal River comes at 1430 km

Der Senegal formed by the confluence of Bafing and Bakoyé in the town of Bafoulab, in the southwestern part of Mali. It forms the border between Senegal and Mauritania and flows into St. Louis into the Atlantic Ocean.
Senegal is together with Bafing 1430 km languages. Its estuary is an important hibernation site for European white storks. Here is also the barbarie de langue National Park National Park. There are found fertile alluvial deposits is the cultivation of sugar cane, corn, used millet and rice.

African inland waters

Ground and underground waters

Ground and underground waters are of great importance for deserts and semi-deserts. Groundwater is mainly distributed linearly in the form of underflow flows of episodic rivers. Large artesian basins are especially important in the Sahara and in the arid regions of South Africa. In the Sahara, fresh or slightly saline groundwater is confined mainly to the Lower Cretaceous continental sandstones. In the semi-deserts and deserts of South Africa, groundwater accumulates mostly in bedrock cracks, in karst limestones, and presumably in the sandstones of the Karoo system. Where groundwater comes to the surface, oases form. Date palms grow in oases, various fruit trees, tropical crops are grown. Watering places for livestock are arranged near artesian wells. Search, extraction and rational use groundwater- one of the vital problems of African states located in the arid regions of the mainland. Hydrogeologists from Russia are helping to search for groundwater in the deserts of North Africa.

Rivers of Africa

In terms of total annual runoff (4600 km3), Africa ranks third after Eurasia and South America, and in terms of layer thickness (less than 160 mm) it is inferior to all continents, except for Australia and Antarctica. The main watershed of the African continent runs along its most elevated eastern margin, so more than 1/3 of the surface has a drain into the Atlantic Ocean, only about 1/4 into the Indian Ocean, and even less into the Mediterranean Sea. About 1/3 of the surface of Africa (approximately 9 million km2) has no runoff into the ocean and belongs to internal basins or is completely devoid of surface runoff. distributed surface water over the territory of the mainland is extremely uneven, and both the distribution and the regime of flowing waters show a close dependence on the amount and regime of rainfall in one or another part of the mainland. Snow and glacier nutrition plays an insignificant role in Africa. In the equatorial regions, the rivers have a uniform discharge throughout the year, without pronounced minimums, but with two periods of maximums due to rains. Areas with a subequatorial climate (Sudan, South part basins of the Congo and others) are characterized by a pronounced summer runoff maximum and a corresponding increase in river flow. On the northwestern and southwestern margins of the mainland, the rivers have a clearly defined winter maximum associated with winter cyclonic rains in each hemisphere.

Between the areas with summer and winter runoff maximums there are vast territories that are generally devoid of a permanent runoff. These are the Sahara in the northern and a significant part of the Kalahari in the southern hemisphere, which are practically devoid of watercourses; they are crossed by a network of dry channels, filled with water only on a short time after occasional rains. The developed network of dry channels and the abundance of dry depressions, only periodically filled with water and characteristic of the now arid regions of Africa, testify to the existence of earlier wetter climatic conditions within its boundaries. The last pluvial period corresponded to the period of the last glaciation in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. All the most significant rivers of Africa irrigate vast basins, separated from the oceans by plateaus and mountain ranges. The uplifts caused a revival of erosional activity and contributed to the formation of large rapids and waterfalls in the valleys of many rivers. They obstruct navigation and greatly reduce transport value African rivers, but at the same time contain huge hydropower resources, the use of which is expanding in recent decades in a number of African states

North Africa

Nile - Egypt, Sudan
White Nile - Sudan
Upper Nile - Uganda
Atbara - Sudan, Ethiopia
Tekeze - Sudan, Ethiopia
Blue Nile - Sudan, Ethiopia

West Africa

Bandama - Ivory Coast
Cavalli - Liberia, Ivory Coast
Gambia - Gambia, Senegal
Niger - Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Mali
Weme - Benin
Saint Paul - Liberia
Sanaga - Cameroon
Senegal - Senegal, Mauritania, Mali
Volta - Ghana, Burkina Faso
Black Volta - Burkina Faso
White Volta - Burkina Faso
Red Volta - Burkina Faso

East Africa

Juba - Ethiopia, Somalia
Dawa - Ethiopia
Gabele - Ethiopia
Wabe-Shabelle - Ethiopia, Somalia
Kerio - Kenya
Maputo - Mozambique
Mara - Kenya, Tanzania
Rufiji - Tanzania
Ruvuma - Tanzania, Mozambique
Tana - Kenya

Central Africa

Congo
kwango
Kassai
Lualaba
crowbars
Ubangi - Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic
Uele
Mbomou
Gabon
Upper Kwilu - Niari - Congo
Mbini
Ntem
Nianga - Gabon
Ogooue - Gabon

South Africa

Bride - South Africa
Kwanza - Angola
Fishriver - Namibia
Groot - South Africa
Kuiseb - Namibia
Kunene - Angola - Namibia, Botswana
Kwando - Namibia (in the lower Linyanti)
Limpopo - Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana
Molopo - Botswana, South Africa
Okavango - Botswana, Namibia, Angola
Orange - South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia
Tugela - South Africa
Vaal - South Africa
Zambezi - Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
Shire - Malawi, Mozambique

The longest river in Africa - the Nile (6671 km) - is the longest river on Earth. The area of the Nile basin is 2870 thousand km2. Aswan's average water discharge is 2600 m3/s. By features natural conditions basin, the nature of the hydrographic regime and the importance that the Nile has in the life of the peoples living in its valley, this is one of the most peculiar and wonderful rivers in the world. The source of the Nile is the Kagera River, which originates at an altitude of more than 2000 m in one of the massifs of East Africa, south of the equator, and flows into Lake Victoria. A river called the Victoria Nile emerges from the lake. It flows through Lake Kyoga and flows into Lake Albert, below which it is called the Albert Nile. Throughout this segment of the course, the river has a mountainous character, very rapids and forms several waterfalls. The largest waterfall is Kabalega (Murchison) on the river. Victoria Nile - reaches 40 m in height. Coming out of the highlands under the Arabic name Bahr el-Jebel, which means "river of mountains", the river enters a vast and flat basin. Its course slows down, and the channel splits into branches. The largest tributaries in this part of the course are El-Ghazal ("river of gazelles") and Sobat. Flowing down the mountains, Sobat carries cloudy yellow water containing a large amount of suspended material. Below Sobat, the river is called the White Nile (Bahr el Abyad). At the Sudanese city of Khartoum, the White Nile merges with the Blue Nile (Bahr el-Azraq) and here it is called the Nile. The Blue Nile originates in the Ethiopian highlands, flowing from Lake Tana. From the same upland, the Nile receives its last high-water tributary, the Atbaru. Below its confluence, the Nile cuts through a plateau composed of hard sandstones and crosses a series of rapids (cataracts). In total, there are six rapids between Khartoum and Aswan. Below Aswan, the Nile flows in a valley 20-50 km wide, which at the beginning of the Anthropogen was a bay of the Mediterranean Sea. The valley of the Nile ends with a delta, formed on the site of a bay, gradually filled with sediment from the river. The area of the delta is 24 thousand km2.

Slide #10

The Nile is the only river in North Africa that crosses the Sahara and carries its waters to the Mediterranean Sea, being the source of life in the waterless desert. The permanent flow of the Nile exists due to the precipitation that falls in the more southern regions and feeds its sources. White Nile, starting at equatorial belt, is powered by rainfall throughout the year. In the upper reaches, the water level in the river is very high and fairly constant, as it is regulated by the lakes. But within the Upper Nile Basin, a large amount of water is lost to evaporation, and the White Nile plays a lesser role in feeding the Nile below Khartoum than the Blue Nile, which carries abundant water (60-70% of the total flow) after the summer rains that fall on the Ethiopian highlands. The highest discharge on the lower Nile during this period is about five times the discharge in low water. The tributaries of the Nile, flowing down from the Ethiopian highlands, bring a large amount of silt that settles during the spill. Before the construction of the high-rise Aswan Dam, there was no through navigation route along the Nile due to numerous rapids. It was possible to overcome the rapids throughout the year only by boat. For permanent navigation, the sections between Khartoum and Juba, Aswan and Cairo, Cairo and the mouth of the Nile were used. Several dams and reservoirs have been built on the Nile to regulate the flow of water throughout the year. At one time, a large hydroelectric complex near Aswan was created to irrigate cotton fields. However, these obsolete hydraulic structures did not solve the most important economic problems- expansion of sown areas and obtaining cheap energy. With help Soviet Union at the end of the 60s. a large dam was built in the Nile Valley near Aswan, thanks to which the area of \u200b\u200birrigated land in Egypt was increased by 1/3, the electricity necessary for the development of the country's economy was generated, and navigation conditions were improved. Above the dam, in a flooded valley, a huge reservoir was formed, called Lake Nasser.

Slide #11

Congo river

Slide #12

The Congo occupies the second place among the rivers of Africa in length, but in terms of basin area and water content, the Congo ranks first in Africa and second in the world after the Amazon. The sources of the Congo are the Lualaba and Chambeshi rivers (a tributary of the Luapula, which flows into the Lualaba). The length of the river from the first source is 4320 km, from the second - 4700 km. The area of the basin is about 3.7 million km2. The average annual discharge at the mouth is 46 thousand m3/s, i.e. it is more than 15 times the average flow of the Nile. The Congo flows in the northern and southern hemispheres, crossing the equator twice. Before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, the river cuts through a highly elevated array of crystalline rocks. The major tributaries of the Congo are Ubangi, Sanga (right), Kwa (Kasai), Ruki, Lomami (left). The upper reaches of the Congo and its tributaries, crossing high plateaus and mountains, are replete with rapids and waterfalls. The rivers form seven waterfalls at the equator, named after the African explorer Stanley. Stanley Falls (or, as they now appear on maps, Boyoma Falls) ends the upper section of the Congo. In the middle reaches, within the basin, the Congo flows calmly in a wide valley. The river bed in some places forms lake-like extensions, reaching 20 km in diameter. Here the Congo receives its largest tributaries. In the lower reaches, cutting through the crystalline massif, the Congo again forms a series of waterfalls (there are 32 of them), united by the common name of the Livingston waterfalls. Having reached the coastal plain, the Congo expands, reaches a great depth (up to 70 m) and becomes navigable. The river at the mouth breaks up into branches and ends with a wide and deep estuary. In the Atlantic Ocean, the Congo channel continues in the form of an underwater furrow at a distance of 150 km from the coast. Large masses of water carried by the Congo desalinate the ocean at a distance of several tens of kilometers. The enormous value of the Congo's runoff is explained by the equatorial position of the basin and the fact that the river receives inflows from the northern and southern hemispheres, in which the maximum precipitation occurs at different times of the year. The northern tributaries bring the bulk of the water to the Congo from March to November. Discharge in the middle and lower Congo, gradually increasing, reaches a maximum in October-November. The second maximum, more significant, is associated with rains. southern hemisphere and occurs in February - April. The nutrition and regime of the Congo and the Amazon have much in common. During floods, the Congo overflows its banks in the middle reaches and floods the flat surface of the basin for hundreds of kilometers. All rivers of the Congo Basin have huge reserves of water energy. Several hydroelectric power plants have been built in the Shaba region, the most important mining area within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Slide #13

Niger River

Slide #14

The Niger River is inferior to the Congo and the Nile in terms of the length and area of the basin, but is still one of the largest rivers on Earth. The length of Niger is 4184 km, the basin area is more than 2 million km2. Its average annual flow significantly exceeds the flow of the Nile (9300 m3/s). The Niger begins on the North Guinean Upland, at an altitude of 900 m. Its sources are only a few tens of kilometers from the ocean, from where the Niger flows first to the northeast, and at the border of the Sahara it sharply changes direction to the southeast. In this part of the basin there is a vast inland delta of the Niger, formed during the existence of an ancient reservoir into which the upper Niger carried its waters. Flowing into the Gulf of Guinea, the river forms a vast delta. The largest tributary of the Niger - the Benue - flows into it in the lower reaches on the left. In the upper and lower reaches of the Niger there are rapids, on average it has the character of a flat river. The features of the Niger regime are due to the fact that its upper and lower reaches are located in areas rich in precipitation, and the middle course basin is characterized by great dryness and strong evaporation. There are two floods in the lower reaches of the Niger, and one in the middle and upper reaches. The upstream flood depends on summer rains, lasts from June to September and is transmitted downstream. In the middle reaches, there is a gradual rise in the level. Niger floods, water fills numerous branches, and dry channels accompanying the main stream. Due to the dryness of the climate, a lot of water in the middle reaches is spent on evaporation; this flood is transmitted to the lower reaches in a weakened form around January. In the lower reaches, there is another flood associated with local summer rains. On the border with the Sahara, Niger is of great importance in the irrigation system: several dams and canals have been built there, and a large rice-growing area has been created.

Slide #15

Zambezi River

Slide #16

The Zambezi is the largest river in South Africa and the largest of the mainland's rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean. Its length is 2736 km, the basin area is 1330 thousand km2. The average annual flow of the Zambezi is very high (16,000 m3/s): it is more than 1.5 times the flow of the Niger and many times the average flow of the Nile. Zambezi originates at an altitude of more than 1000 m on the Congo-Zambezi watershed plateau. On its way, the river crosses flat basins and plateaus separating them, forming numerous rapids and waterfalls. The largest waterfall on the Zambezi and one of the largest in the world - Victoria - has a height of 120 m and a width of 1800 m (). Water falls into a basalt gorge, located perpendicular to the riverbed. For the deafening noise of falling water, which is heard at a great distance, and the snow-white column of spray locals gave the waterfall a figurative name - "thundering smoke". Lake Nyasa (Malawi) across the Shire River has a drain in the Zambezi. High water on the Zambezi occurs in the summer of the southern hemisphere. The navigable value of the Zambezi due to sharp fluctuations in water content is small. For large vessels, it is available only in the lower reaches for 450 km. The hydropower resources of the Zambezi are used by the countries located in its basin. Below the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, a powerful Kariba hydroelectric complex was built, above the dam of which a reservoir of the same name was created - one of the largest in the world. Another large hydropower plant - Cahora Basa - is located on the territory of the Republic of Mozambique, and the energy it produces is used by several states of South and East Africa.

Slide #17

great african lakes

The African Great Lakes are several large lakes located in and around the East African Rift Valley.
List of lakes:
Tanganyika
Victoria
Albert
Edward
Kivu
Malawi
Some include only Lakes Victoria, Albert and Edward among the Great Lakes, since only these three lakes have a drain into the White Nile. Tanganyika and Kivu drain into the Congo River system, while Malawi flows into the Zambezi via the Shire River.

Slide #18

Great Lakes region

The region is one of the most densely populated in the world with approximately 107 million people. Due to past volcanic activity, this part of Africa has some of the best grassland in the world. Height above sea level determines relative temperate climate despite the equatorial position. Due to population density and agricultural surpluses, the Great Lakes region has historically been divided into a number of small states, the most powerful of which were Rwanda, Burundi, Buganda and Bunyoro. Due to the long search for the source of the Nile, the region long time attracted the interest of Europeans. The first Europeans who arrived there were missionaries who did not find laurels when converting the natives to Christianity, but opened the region for subsequent colonization. Increased contact with the rest of the world led to several devastating epidemics that affected both humans and animals. As a result, the population of the region in some areas has decreased by almost 60%. It was not until the 1950s that the region's population reached pre-colonial levels.

Slide #19

Lake Victoria

Slide #20

Victoria - 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. This is the second largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior and the most big lake in Africa by area. It is also the largest among tropical lakes. The lake was discovered and named after Queen Victoria by British traveler John Henning Speke in 1858.

The area is 68.870 thousand km², the length is 320 km, the maximum width is 275 km. It is part of the Victoria Reservoir. Lots of islands. The high-water Kagera River flows in, the Victoria Nile River flows out. The lake is navigable, the locals are engaged in fishing on it. The northern coast of the lake crosses the equator. The lake with a maximum depth of 80 m belongs to fairly deep lakes. Unlike its deep-water neighbors, Tanganyika and Nyasa, which lie within the gorge system of Africa, Lake Victoria fills a shallow depression between the eastern and western sides of the Great Gorge valley. The lake receives a huge amount of water from the rains, more than from all its tributaries. 30 million people live in the vicinity of the lake. On the southern and western shores of the lake, the Haya people live, who knew how to grow coffee long before the arrival of Europeans. Main ports: Entebbe (Uganda), Mwanza, Bukoba (Tanzania), Kisumu (Kenya), near the northern coast of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

Slide #21

Lake Albert

Slide #22

Albert is a lake in East Africa, on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Uganda it is called Lake Nyanza, in Congo (Zaire) in 1973-97 it was called Mobutu Sese Seko in honor of President Mobutu. It is located at an altitude of 617 m. The area is 5.6 thousand square meters. km, depth up to 58 m. It lies in a tectonic depression in the system of the Central African graben. The banks are slightly dissected, mostly steep; the bottom is flat. The rivers Semliki (the drain of Lake Edward) and the Victoria Nile (the drain of Lake Victoria) flow into the lake, and the Albert Nile flows out. The average annual flow of water into the lake due to precipitation is 4.6 cubic meters. km, due to the runoff from the pool of 24.9 cubic meters. km, evaporation is 7.5 cubic meters. km, stock 22 cub. km, surface water temperature up to 30 °C. Rich in fish (over 40 species: Nile perch, tiger fish, etc.). Shipping. The main ports are Butiaba (Uganda), Kasenyi (DRC).
Opened in 1864 English traveler S.W. Baker and named after the husband of Queen Victoria (see Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha), after which, in turn, another great lake in Africa, Victoria, is named.

Lake Albert is part of complex system reservoirs in the upper reaches of the Nile. The main river flowing into the lake is the White Nile (known here as the Victoria Nile), flowing from Lake Victoria to the southeast through Lake Kyoga, and the Semliki River, flowing from Lake Edward to the southwest. The water of the Victoria Nile contains much less salt than the water of Lake Albert. The river that flows out of Albert, in the northernmost part of the island, is called the Albert Nile, which passes in the north into the White Nile. In the southern part of the lake, at the confluence of the Semliki River, there are swamps. Further south, the Rwenzori Range stretches, and a series of hills called the Blue Mountains rise above the northwestern shore. There are several villages on the shore of the lake, including Butiaba and Pakwach.

Slide #23

Waterfalls of Africa

Tugela (cascade) 933m r. Tugela (South Africa)
Kalambo (cascade) 427m r. Kalambo (border of Tanzania and Zambia)
Augrabis (cascade) 146m r. Orange (South Africa)
Victoria 120m Zambezi (border between Zambia and Zimbabwe)
Cabarega 40m r. Victoria Nile (Uganda)
Boyoma (cascade) 40m r. Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Congo

Slide #24

Tugela waterfall

Slide #25

Tugela is the second highest waterfall in the world. It consists of five free-falling cascades, the largest of which is 411 meters.
Tugela falls in a narrow ribbon from the eastern bluff of the Drakensberg Mountains, in the Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu, Natal Province, South Africa. It is clearly visible after heavy rain or at the end of the day, shining from the reflection of the Sun. The source of the Tugela River is located in Mont-Aux-Sources, a few kilometers from the cliff from which the waterfall falls. The water above the falls is clean and safe to drink. The cliff is often covered with snow in winter months. There are two paths leading to the waterfall. One mountain hiking trail to the summit of Mount-Aux-Sources starts at Witsieshoek, from where there is a relatively short ascent to the summit along the path and further along two suspension bridges. Another trail starts at the Royal Natal National Park. A seven-kilometer climb along the gorge meanders through the local forest, then a jump over boulders and a small suspension bridge will lead to the foot of the Tugela waterfall.

Slide #26

Augrabis Falls - "a ferocious riot of the water element."

Slide #27

Augrabis Falls is located in the northwest of South Africa, almost at the very border with Namibia. Modern territory national park spread over 10 thousand hectares, which unite deserts, semi-deserts and areas of floodplain thickets. All this biodiversity is located in the area of the famous 130-meter Augrabis waterfall on the Orange River. Augrabies Falls National Park was established in 1966. The Orange River, on which Augrabies Falls is located, is the largest river in South Africa. This river got its modern name from the Dutch Boer settlers, who christened it in honor of the Dutch ruling house Princes of Orange (in Dutch - Orange). The Orange River carries a mighty water stream, it is only two times inferior to the Niger in terms of high water. The river originates in the Dragon Mountains, where it rises almost 4 km above the coast of the Indian Ocean, then follows the High Weld plain, after which it merges with its main tributary, the Vaal River. After long wanderings throughout the African continent, the Orange River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Augrabis waterfall along the Orange River is preceded by a 7-kilometer delta with a large number of small islands, from where this powerful water stream rushes into a narrow gap. In the area of the Augrabis waterfall, the flow of the river during the flood exceeds 1000 cubic meters. m per second. Having flown almost 140 meters, the river hits the rocky shores, already below the waterfall waves rise with a height of two-storey house. The name of the waterfall came up with the local residents of the Hottentots, translated from their language Augrabis means "a very noisy place." The Hottentots are still afraid of approaching the waterfall, they are sure that an evil deity lives in a deep pool under Augrabis, and it is as if it is his terrible roar that is heard above the water. Among others, a local legend is known about a large treasure of diamonds at the bottom of the waterfall, as if the Orange River itself brought them to the place of the waterfall from the upper reaches of the Vaal, where diamond deposits have long been known. In general, the Orange River becomes full-flowing only for a short period of time - during the rainy season. And most of the year it is a rather nondescript rivulet. But even in the dry season, the basin of the waterfall is full of water. But at this time, the so-called wells are clearly visible here - for many centuries, falling water has hollowed out rather deep "wells" at the bottom of the basin.

The mainland is completely located on the African plate. Due to its slope in the west, the main flow goes to the Atlantic. A third of all rivers have internal flow. Most waterways have rapids and waterfalls, making them unsuitable for navigation. The water level in rivers is mainly affected by the presence or absence of rain. The melt waters of snows and glaciers are fed by rivers originating on. This article provides a list of the ten largest, deepest and longest rivers in Africa in ascending order, as well as a map of the basins of the great rivers of the continent.

Map of Africa's largest river basins / Image: Wikipedia

#10: Jubba

The Jubba River has a length of 1004 km. The basin area is 497,504 km², the average water discharge is 187 m³ / s. The source of the Jubba is formed in Ethiopia, and most of the channel is in Somalia, where it flows into the Indian Ocean. A lot of precipitation falls throughout the river, so its banks are covered with abundant vegetation. Gazelles, chamois, hyenas and giraffes come to the river to drink. The Jubba watercourse is located only in two African states: Somalia and Ethiopia.

#9: Shari

The length of the river is 1400 km, the basin area is 548,747 km². The average water flow rate is about 1159 m³ / s. Shari is formed at the confluence of the Uam, Gribingi, and Bamingi rivers. The mouth of the artery is located in Chad. The river is not afraid of drought, and it does not dry up during the dry season. Shari is the main drinking source and the center of the fishing industry for the people of Chad. The river has many tributaries, the main ones being Logon, Bahr-Sarkh and Bahr-Salamat. Due to the fact that large cities are located along the banks, the river is too polluted. If no measures are taken to protect the rivers, the region is threatened ecological catastrophy. Shari flows through Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic.

#8: Volta

The river stretches for about 1500 km. The area of the basin is 407,093 km², the average water discharge is 1288 m³/s. The river is formed by the confluence of two West African water arteries: the White Volta and the Black Volta. The mouth of the reservoir is the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean). The most important tributaries are the rivers Daka, Afram and Oti. The river flows through the Republic of Ghana and is famous for its developed navigation.

#7: Okavango

The length of the river is 1600 km. The basin area is 530,000 km². The average water flow is about 470 m³/s. The source of the Okavango is located in the mountains of Angola. The unique feature of the water artery is that it does not go anywhere. The Okavango forms the largest river delta, and dissolves into the sands of the Kalahari.

The river is predominantly rain fed. The largest tributary is the Quito River. The water in the Okavango is clean, because the shores are practically uninhabited by people and there is no industry.

The river delta is unique place. The banks are overgrown with water lilies and reeds. Acacia grows in the meadows. The Okavango water is a source of drink for a host of animals: antelopes, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles. The river flows through Angola, Namibia and Botswana.

#6: Limpopo

The length is 1750 km, and the basin area is 415,000 km². Water consumption 170 m³/s. The Limpopo begins in South Africa, where the Witwatersrand mountain range stretches, and flows into the Indian Ocean. The river is shaped like a zigzag, it crosses deserts, savannahs and mountain ranges. The Limpopo has several large tributaries: Shangane, Olifants, Notvani.

Food is predominantly rain. Thunderstorms and heavy downpours often occur in southern Africa in summer. In dry years, Limpopo dries up in the upper part. The navigable route extends for 160 km from the mouth. Due to the peculiar bend of the river, the waters flow slowly, so a lot of silt forms in them. The land along the banks of the river is very fertile. Floods are rare, so deciduous forests grow in the lower reaches. Closer to the mouth in the river, you can find cod, mackerel, herring, octopus and oysters. Along the entire length of Limpopo, hippos and crocodiles live on its banks. The river flows through the states of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.

#5: Orange

The length of the river is 2200 km. Its basin area is 973,000 km². The average flow rate does not exceed 365 m³/s. The Orange River originates in the Dragon Mountains. There is a lot of precipitation here, which is a source of food. Orange flows into the Atlantic. It crosses almost all South Region continent and plays essential role in its economy.

The main tributary is the Vaal River. Due to the abundance of rapids, navigation on Orange is impossible. The main wealth of the river are all kinds of minerals. Due to the hot climate, a small variety of animals practically lives here. The river crosses Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho.

#4: Zambezi

The length of the river is 2574 km. The basin area is 1,390,000 km². Water consumption is approximately 3400 m³/s. The river originates in the northwest of Zambia, and its mouth is in the Indian Ocean. From the north, the Zambezi turns sharply to the southwest. In the south, the river becomes much more rapid. On the border of the Central African Plateau is the Victoria Falls, formed as a result of a fault in the tectonic plate. The river then turns to the northeast. In the lower reaches, it turns to the south and rushes to the ocean. The river crosses African countries such as Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The main tributaries are the Luangwa and the Kafue. Food - rain. Zambezi is the most flooded in summer, from November to March. Due to seasonal high water, navigation is not very developed. The upper and middle parts of the river flow through the savannas. Dense forests grow between the river channels. The lower part of the Zambezi is shown.

There are many fish in the waters. Species diversity divides the Victoria Falls. In the upper reaches bream and pike are found. Where there are no fast currents, crocodiles and monitor lizards live. There are many animals in the forests and. It is convenient to observe them during the dry season, when all the animals go to the watering place to the banks of the Zambezi. The fauna is represented by monkeys, baboons, wolves, cheetahs, zebras and giraffes. The banks of the river are home to pelicans, herons and flamingos.

#3: Niger

The length of the river is 4180 km. The basin area is 2,117,700 km². Water consumption 5589 m³/s. The Niger is the third largest river in Africa, originating on the slopes of the Liberian Highlands. The mouth is located in the Gulf of the Atlantic Ocean.

The nourishment of the river is determined monsoon rains. The channel is first directed to the north. In Mali, the direction changes to the southeast. The main tributaries are the Benue, Kaduna, Sokato, Bani and Milo. The waterway passes through the territory following countries: Guinea, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Benin.

Large cities line the banks of the Niger, including Bamako, the fastest growing city on the continent. Navigation is developed only in the upper reaches. There are two dams and one hydroelectric power station on the river. Thanks to the abundance of ichthyofauna, fishing is developed. In Niger they catch carp, barbel and perch.

#2: Congo

The length is 4,700 km, the basin area is 4,014,500 km². Approximate water flow is 41,200 m³/s. The river originates near lakes Nyasa and Tanganyika, and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Congo is rain-fed, while the river is the deepest on Earth. In some places, the depth exceeds 200 m.

Main tributaries: Mobangi, Alima, Ruby, Lulongo, Lefeni. The Livingston Falls keep ships out of the ocean. On gentle stretches, between major cities, shipping is well established. Densely populated cities are located along the banks of the Congo. The reservoir has a large energy reserve: two dams and 40 hydroelectric power stations have already been built here.

Mighty water artery provides water equatorial forests. They are a favorable habitat for various dangerous animals: spiders, snakes and crocodiles. The Congo crosses Angola, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

#1: Neil

With a length of 6853 km, the Nile is probably the longest river in the world. River basin - 3,400,000 million km², water discharge 2830 m³/s. The Nile originates in Lake Victoria and flows into. Large tributaries are Achva, Sobat, Atbara and the Blue Nile. The river is filled with rainfall. The flood comes in late summer - early autumn, then the river can overflow its banks. Navigation is well developed in the north.

The Nile gives life to many species of plants and animals. Big number species of fish lives in the river delta: perch, sunfish, sea bream and barb. Lives along the coast nile crocodile and a hippopotamus. The number of birds, including migratory ones, is about three hundred species. Giraffes and antelopes live in the river valleys.

The fertile layer of soil along the river allows the growth rare species palm trees and shrubs, which contrast sharply with the nearby desert lands. The Nile flows through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

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