The great lakes of East Africa comprise of a series of large water bodies in and around the Great Rift Valley formed by tectonic actions of the East Africa Rift. They include Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi.
Lake Victoria, the largest of the great lakes, straddles across Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The lake occupies an area of 26,830 square miles, making it the world's second largest freshwater lake, second only to Lake Superior in North America. The lake has an average depth of 120 feet, with its deepest point being 250 feet. At its greatest width, Lake Victoria is 250 miles long. The lake is not actually situated in the great rift valley but lies between the main and western branches.
Numerous East African rivers feed the Lake Victoria, with River Kagera being the largest. Originating from Burundi, River Kagera is considered to be the remote source of the Nile. Lake Victoria is the youngest of the three great lakes, but drains its waters into the River Nile, the world's longest river. The Nile flows northwards into the Mediterranean Sea, and in the process, providing the much needed water for the Northern Africa dry regions along its 6670km course.
Lake Victoria abounds in the Nile perch, a fish species that was introduced to the lake by the lakes residents in the 1950s. Nile Perch is a dangerous predator fish that can grow up to 6 feet long and has wiped out half of the 400 cichlid species of fish that inhabit Lake Victoria.
Lake Tanganyika is Africa's deepest lake, and also the second largest after Lake Victoria, occupying an area off 12,700 square miles. With a depth of 4,710 feet, it is the second deepest in the world after Siberia's Lake Baikal. Lake Tanganyika is situated in the Western branch of the rift valley.
Tanganyika is the longest lake in the world, having a length of 420 miles. The lake measures only 45 miles at its widest point. Four African countries share the lake. These are Tanzania, DRC Congo, Zambia, and DRC Congo.
Only one river flows out of Lake Tanganyika, the Lukaga river which drains into river Congo. As a result, its waters are harder and more alkaline than those of Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria. Much of the salts that flow into the lake remain there when water evaporates raising the pH levels to between 8.6 and 9.5.
Lake Tanganyika is home to more than 200 species of fish, many of which are so small that they can be housed in 20 gallon or even 10 gallon aquariums. Along the lake's shore are populations of hippos and crocodiles.
Hundreds of miles away from Lake Tanganyika is Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa by the residents. Placed between Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique, with an estimated area of 8,683 square miles and being 360 miles long and 25 miles wide, Lake Malawi is the ninth largest lake in the world. The lake forms the eastern border between Mozambique and Malawi. The lake is unusual in that it does not have tides or currents.
The variety of cichlid fish species in Lake Malawi is greater than that found in any other lake in the world. Researchers from the World Wildlife Fund have to date identified over 500 of these species. The Lake Malawi cichlids are mostly brightly colored with beautiful patterns, a fact that makes them popular with aquarists around the world.
Lake Victoria, the largest of the great lakes, straddles across Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The lake occupies an area of 26,830 square miles, making it the world's second largest freshwater lake, second only to Lake Superior in North America. The lake has an average depth of 120 feet, with its deepest point being 250 feet. At its greatest width, Lake Victoria is 250 miles long. The lake is not actually situated in the great rift valley but lies between the main and western branches.
Numerous East African rivers feed the Lake Victoria, with River Kagera being the largest. Originating from Burundi, River Kagera is considered to be the remote source of the Nile. Lake Victoria is the youngest of the three great lakes, but drains its waters into the River Nile, the world's longest river. The Nile flows northwards into the Mediterranean Sea, and in the process, providing the much needed water for the Northern Africa dry regions along its 6670km course.
Lake Victoria abounds in the Nile perch, a fish species that was introduced to the lake by the lakes residents in the 1950s. Nile Perch is a dangerous predator fish that can grow up to 6 feet long and has wiped out half of the 400 cichlid species of fish that inhabit Lake Victoria.
Lake Tanganyika is Africa's deepest lake, and also the second largest after Lake Victoria, occupying an area off 12,700 square miles. With a depth of 4,710 feet, it is the second deepest in the world after Siberia's Lake Baikal. Lake Tanganyika is situated in the Western branch of the rift valley.
Tanganyika is the longest lake in the world, having a length of 420 miles. The lake measures only 45 miles at its widest point. Four African countries share the lake. These are Tanzania, DRC Congo, Zambia, and DRC Congo.
Only one river flows out of Lake Tanganyika, the Lukaga river which drains into river Congo. As a result, its waters are harder and more alkaline than those of Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria. Much of the salts that flow into the lake remain there when water evaporates raising the pH levels to between 8.6 and 9.5.
Lake Tanganyika is home to more than 200 species of fish, many of which are so small that they can be housed in 20 gallon or even 10 gallon aquariums. Along the lake's shore are populations of hippos and crocodiles.
Hundreds of miles away from Lake Tanganyika is Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa by the residents. Placed between Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique, with an estimated area of 8,683 square miles and being 360 miles long and 25 miles wide, Lake Malawi is the ninth largest lake in the world. The lake forms the eastern border between Mozambique and Malawi. The lake is unusual in that it does not have tides or currents.
The variety of cichlid fish species in Lake Malawi is greater than that found in any other lake in the world. Researchers from the World Wildlife Fund have to date identified over 500 of these species. The Lake Malawi cichlids are mostly brightly colored with beautiful patterns, a fact that makes them popular with aquarists around the world.
About the Author:
The Author works with Africapoint.com, a reputable online travel agency for Africa. View information on African Safaris and African Flights including tours to the Great Lakes region.
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