Top 5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Lake Victoria : Lake Victoria is An African gem. This large body of water, which borders Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, stretches out into the distance and resembles a sea more than a lake. Numerous tiny, lush islands that are home to a wide range of wildlife are scattered among the gentle waves. Lake Victoria is both fascinating and calming, making it the ideal place to while away lazy evenings as the red African sun sets. Here are some facts about the biggest freshwater lake in Africa:
HOW BIG IS LAKE VICTORIA?
In Uganda, Lake Victoria is referred to as ‘Nnalubaale (the home of the Gods), and it is known in Kenya as Nam Lowe (the body of endless water). Both names refer to the enormous size of the lake, which is the second-largest in the world and the largest in Africa.
With a coastline spanning more than 2,000 miles around three nations, Lake Victoria has an enormous area of 26,600 square miles. There are about 1,000 islands there, ranging in size from small uninhabited spits of land to larger inhabited islets. Each inhabited island has its own personality, traditions, and history. On Mfangano Island, for instance, you can see prehistoric rock art created by the Twa (Batwa) people.
WHO NAMED LAKE VICTORIA?
The lake is known by various names that reflect the various countries and communities it borders, but its most popular name honors Queen Victoria of England. During his search for the Source of the Nile in the 1850s, the British explorer John Hanning Speke became the first European to discover the lake. He chose to dedicate his discovery to the Queen and his country. It is now widely acknowledged that Speke was correct in thinking that the lake was the source he had been seeking—at the very least, it is regarded as the primary source of the “Fat River.”
HOW OLD IS LAKE VICTORIA?
Approximately 400,000 years ago, Lake Victoria was formed, making it a relatively young body of water. It has dried up several times during its brief existence, most recently about 17,000 years ago. Although the cause of its frequent drying is unknown, it is believed that the lake’s comparably shallow waters, which have an average depth of just 25 meters, may be to blame. One of the reasons why scientists think Lake Victoria could go through another dry period in the next 500 years as a result of climate change is that it is sensitive to drought.
WHAT ANIMALS ARE NATIVE TO LAKE VICTORIA?
Lake Victoria is a wildlife haven. The lake has supported a number of native species in addition to a spectacular variety of birdlife and wetland animals, including the clawless otter and sitatunga. These include a number of cichlid species, many of which are distinguished by their vividly colored scales. The Lake Victoria Deepwater Catfish is more elusive or perhaps extinct. This little-known catfish lives at the bottom of the lake, which is 82 meters deep at its deepest point, and is thought to have been nearly extinct before the Nile Perch was introduced.
WHAT ELSE MAKES LAKE VICTORIA SPECIAL?
Lake Victoria is unique for being one of only two locations in East Africa where it is possible to view the sunset over water without being on the coast, in addition to its rich history, cultural diversity, and amazing wildlife! The other is Lake Turkana in northern Kenya.
The vast body of water known as Lake Victoria, which is located in the center of East Africa, spans numerous nations, cultures, and eras. The lake provides visitors with the opportunity to discover the variety of local communities and view some of Africa’s most prized wildlife.
