In Central Africa, as well as in the northern part of this continent, there is its own unique, chic and very full-flowing attraction - 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. Along the course of this river is the greatest attraction of Africa - Victoria Falls.
River flow. Top part
The source of the Zambezi River is located in the northwestern part of Zambia, surrounded by black swamps. 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 streams - Congo and Zambezi. The river flows to the southwest, and at about 240 km, tributaries begin to flow into it. On one of the slopes, the river passes into a small Chavama waterfall. This makes it unsuitable for shipping. For the first 350 km, approximately to Victoria Falls, the altitude over which the waters run is about the same. It changes its direction a couple of times from south to east, but these changes are insignificant. In the place where the waterfall is located, the upper Zambezi ends. A river in central Africa brings most of its waters to Victoria Falls, forming an amazing phenomenon in this place, which billions of tourists come to admire.
The middle part of the river
Victoria Falls is considered the dividing border between the sources of the river and its middle course. Starting from it, the channel is already heading strictly east, where it lies between the hills. The approximate length of this part of the reservoir is 300 meters. We also note that the source of the Zambezi river, which we spoke about above, is surrounded by shrubs, savannah and sand and clay rocks. Here, water flows along the basalts, which form hills and small rocks that enclose the river’s waters. An important point in the middle part is the Caribbean Reservoir (also called Lake Cariba). It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. It was formed here in the middle of the 20th century, after the dam of the same name was built in the middle reaches of the Zambezi. From then until now, the Kariba Hydroelectric Power Station has provided all residents of the surrounding area with the opportunity to use electricity. Also during the middle course we meet two more large tributaries - Kafue and Luangwa, which flow into the Zambezi. Thanks to them, the river becomes wider and more full. Therefore, just downstream, another dam was built on it - the Cabora-Bassa. At this point, the middle part of the Zambezi ends.
Lower bed of the waterway
Zambezi, crossing the Kabora-Bassa reservoir, redirects its waters to the west. The length of its final part is the largest compared to the previous ones, namely 650 km. This site is already suitable for shipping, but shallows are often found here. The fact is that the area along which the water flows is a wide valley, and they simply spread over it, forming a wide river, but not very deep. The channel narrows only when it passes through the canyon of Lupata. Here its width is only 200 meters, while in all other places the river literally spreads to 5-8 kilometers. At a distance of 160 km from the ocean Zambezi intersects with the river. Wider. Due to this, it is fed by its waters, as well as the waters from Lake Malawi. After that, our beauty breaks up 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 the fourth largest among its "brothers." The Zambezi River in Africa would not be so full-flowing, if not for its numerous 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 stream is the Capombo River. It originates in the hills, where not far from each other are the sources of the Congo and Zambezi. In the first knee of our subject of study, where the direction changes from west to east, it is crossed by Quando - a very deep river. In the middle reaches of the Zambezi, Kafue and Langi waters feed it. Below we meet another extremely important tributary - the Luangwu. It not only supplies its waters to the Zambezi, but also comes in contact with Lake Malawi, which makes it very wide and deep. In the lower part of the course, the river is fed by the waters of the tributaries of Sanyati, Shangani and Chanyani.
History and study of the reservoir
People had knowledge about this geographical object back in the era of the early Middle Ages. Historians believe that this knowledge was based on Arabic chronicles and documents. Thus, the Zambezi River on the map of Africa appeared in the distant 1300s, but, as you know, only high-ranking persons could know about it. 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 Victoria Falls. On the way, I discovered many of the now-known tributaries and gave them their names. Until the end of the century, the river and all the elements adjacent to it were completely studied by Europeans, and all the data was firmly entrenched on world maps.
Fish world
Most of the fish that are found in the waters of the Zambezi are endemic. All their species are found exclusively in this area. And even if many of the names that we list below seem familiar to you, then be sure that in fact this aquatic inhabitant will not look what we are used to contemplate. Here is a special microflora, which allows all living organisms to develop differently than in Europe or America. So, here there are various types of cichlids, catfish, therapists and catfish. A very popular inhabitant of the lower river bed is the Tuporylaya shark, or bull shark. It is found both in the coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and in the tributaries of the Zambezi.
Fauna
Based on the previous material, we can imagine where the Zambezi River is located from a geographical point of view. This is the central part of the African continent, a tropical zone, a zone of eternal heat, sand and savannah. It is through such a landscape that the Zambezi flows, which creates around it a corresponding fauna. There are countless crocodiles of various species. According to this characteristic, the river can be safely compared with the Nile. Along with them are smaller lizards, as well as snakes (especially in the source area, where there are many swamps). On land there are elephants, zebras, bulls, lions, buffaloes - in short, a typical African safari. Alas, there are not so many birds in the skies above the Zambezi. Here lizards, pelicans, African eagles fly, and white herons walk along the banks of the river.
Fish economy
You can understand it simply by looking at the photo: the Zambezi river is very full-flowing, wide, rich in fauna and flora, therefore it is a significant economic link in the development of all the countries through which it flows. In addition to the fact that two giant hydroelectric power stations were built here, which supply electricity to all adjacent countries and cities, fisheries also flourish. Residents of cities that grew up on the shores of the Zambezi can use the gifts of its waters for free to feed their families. Visitors from more distant settlements pay a tax for fishing here. Many shores of the Zambezi are reserved for sport fishing. People from all over the world come here for pleasure and rare species of fish. Also from the river basin those same endemics are caught, which serve as a decoration for any aquarium.
Ecological situation
Perhaps we begin the description of the ecology of the Zambezi River with its problems, since they are truly large-scale. All the misfortunes are that wastewater is discharged here, moreover, not through special treatment facilities, but directly. Sewerage 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 typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and a host of other, more or less serious infections. Big problems also arose after the construction of the Kabora-Bass hydroelectric station. This artificial lake was filled thanks to rains in just one season, while the authorities planned that it would be filled gradually over several years. As a result, runoff sharply decreased, which entailed a reduction in the area of mangrove forests around the water. This scared away the animals that previously lived on the banks of the river. Many useful microelements also disappeared from the waters, the number of fish species that inhabited it decreased.
Transport situation
In general, the length of the Zambezi River is 2574 kilometers, taking into account all its knees and turns. This makes it one of the largest water flows in Africa, but this is not at all a sign that it is an ideal transport artery in its region. We have already said above that the riverbed often changes direction, and radically, the same applies to its width, depth and other indicators. The main obstacle to navigation are artificial lakes, dams and waterfalls that cross its course. However, often many transport operations are carried out precisely thanks to individual sections of this reservoir. For example, steamboats often pass along the lower part of the Zambezi, which carry both passengers and goods. 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 it is easiest to get from one settlement to another by boat.
Bridges over the Zambezi
Africa's fourth largest water stream is crossed by only five bridges. Their construction began at the dawn of the 20th century, and still continues, despite the fact that many projects have already been completed. The first was built in 1905 in the city of Victoria Falls. It rises above the surface of the water by 125 meters, its width is 150 meters, and its length is 250 meters. Since then, it was reconstructed, but not fundamentally rebuilt. Initially, it was planned as part of a railway that runs 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 Chinwing. In later years, namely in 2004, the construction of the last, fifth bridge over the Zambezi was completed. It lies between the cities of Sesheke (Zambia) and Katimo Mulilo (Namibia).
Cities and towns surrounding the river
We examined where the Zambezi River originates, where it flows into, and what other bodies of water it crosses during the course. Now the subject of consideration are the settlements surrounding its coast. 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. We list them briefly: Lakalu, Kariba, Mongu, Tete, Songo, Lilui, Livingston, Sesheke and Katimo-Mulilo. All settlements are very small geopolitical sites. In total, only 32 million people live in the river valley. Most of them lead a rural lifestyle, content with local floating soils and an almost complete absence of livestock. Local cities earn mainly on tourism, but this industry is not properly developed here either. Many of them hunt fishing, poaching is also booming.