Major Lakes of Africa

The second-largest continent, Africa, is home to several magnificent lakes that add to its varied topography. These lakes serve as a showcase for the natural splendour of the continent, from the massive Lake Victoria to the deep waters of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa and the beautiful splendour of Lake Malawi in the southeast.

Each lake offers a distinctive environment and is essential to the daily lives of the inhabitants that surround it, whether it is the transnational Lake Chad or the tranquil Lake Kariba that is tucked between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Features of Major Lakes of Africa

Here are the features of major lakes of Africa −

Lake Victoria

• The largest lake in Africa, the largest tropical lake in the world,[8] and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area after Lake Superior in North America are all named Lake Victoria.

• One of the Great Lakes of Africa, Lake Victoria has a surface area of around 59,947 km² (23,146 sq. mi).

• With a total capacity of 2,424 km³, Lake Victoria is the ninth-largest continental lake in the world.

• Three nations share the lake's area: Kenya takes up 6% (4,100 km²; 1,600 sq. mi), Uganda takes up 45% (31,000 km²; 12,000 sq. mi), and Tanzania takes up 49% (33,700 km²; 13,000 sq. mi).

Lake Tanganyika

• Lake Tanganyika is surrounded by the valley's high rock walls and is located within the Albertine Rift, the western extension of the East African Rift.

• After Lake Baikal in Siberia, Lake Tanganyika is the second-oldest freshwater lake in the world, the second-largest by volume, and the second-deepest lake in the world.

• It eventually drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Congo River system.

• It is the longest freshwater lake in the world.

• Tanzania (46%) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (40%) own the majority of the lake, which is shared by four nations: Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, and the DRC.

Lake Malawi

• It is situated halfway between Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi.

• As the southernmost lake in the East African Rift System, Lake Malawi is also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique. It is an African Great Lake.

• It is the third largest and second-deepest lake in Africa, the ninth largest lake in the world by area, and the fifth largest fresh water lake in the world by volume.

• The lake is approximately 29,600 square kilometres (11,400 sq. mi) in size. The lake is situated in a significant depression in the north-central region and reaches a maximum depth of 706 m (2,316 ft).

Lake Albert

• Lake Albert is a lake that can be found in both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• Lake Albert, which is situated in a significant depression in the north-central part of the lake, was formerly known as Lake Mwitanzige and briefly as Lake Mobutu Sese Seko point.

• It is the second-largest of Uganda's Great Lakes and the seventh-largest lake in all of Africa.

• The northernmost lake in the series of lakes in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, is Lake Albert, which is situated on the boundary between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Lake Kivu

• Located in the Albertine Rift, the western extension of the East African Rift, Lake Kivu occupies a spot on the boundary between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

• At its broadest point, Lake Kivu is 50 km long and 42 km wide.

• The Ruzizi River, which drains Lake Kivu, empties into Lake Tanganyika towards the south.

• Its estimated total surface area is 2,700 km².

Lake Chad

• West-central Africa's Sahelian region is home to Lake Chad. It is situated in the central basin, which once housed Mega Chad, a much bigger ancient body of water.

• Lake Chad is about 10.5 meters (34 feet) deep at its deepest, making it very shallow.

• Over 90% of the lake's water comes from the Chari River and its tributary, the Logone, which flows from the south along the border with Cameroon. The remaining 1% comes from the Yobe River in Nigeria/Niger.

Lake Turkana

• It is a lake located in the northern Kenyan Rift Valley, whose extreme northern end extends into Ethiopia.

• Lake Turkana was formerly known as Lake Rudolf.

• The nation of Kenya was renamed it in 1975 after the Turkana tribe, which dominated the country, by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the president.

• The name Anam Ka'alakol, which means "the sea of many fish" in Turkana, is used to describe the lake.

• It is the fourth-largest Salt Lake in the world by volume.

Lake Kariba

• By volume, Lake Kariba is the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the world.

• It has a surface area of 5,580 square kilometres (2,150 square miles) and 185 cubic kilometres of storage space.

• It is situated alongside the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, 1,300 kilometres (810 miles) upstream from the Indian Ocean.

• The length of Lake Kariba is around 223 kilometres (139 miles), and its width can reach 40 kilometres (25 miles).

• Maaze Island, Mashape Island, Chete Island, Sekula, Sampa Karuma, Fothergill, Spurwing, Snake Island, Antelope Island, Bed Island, and Chikanka are only a few of the islands in the lake.

Lake Edward

• Lake Edward is situated in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift (also known locally as Rwitanzigye or Rweru).

• Its northern coast is a few kilometres south of the equator, near the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

• The Nyamugasani, Ishasha, Rutshuru, Ntungwe, and Rwindi rivers all contribute to the lake's water supply.

• At 920 meters (3,020 feet) above sea level, 77 kilometres (48 mi) long by 40 kilometres (25 mi) wide at its widest points, with a total surface area of 2,325 kilometres (898 sq mi), Lake Edward is the fifteenth-largest lake in the world.

Lake Tana

• The Amhara Region in the north-western Ethiopian Highlands is home to Lake Tana.

• The Blue Nile originates in Ethiopia's largest lake, Lake Tana.

• Its area on the surface is between 3,500 and 3,000 square kilometres.

• The lake has an approximate length of 84 km (52 mi), a width of 66 km (41 mi), a maximum depth of 15 m (49 ft), and an elevation of 1,788 m (5,866 ft).

• The Gilgel Abay, Reb, and Gumara rivers feed Lake Tana.

• The Lake Tana area was proposed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2015 in recognition of its significance for both national and international natural and cultural heritage.

List of Major Lakes of Africa

Here's a table which shows list of the lakes in Africa, including their names, locations, and approximate coverage areas −

Lake Name	Location	Coverage Area (Approx.)
Lake Victoria	East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda)	68,800 sq. km
Lake Tanganyika	East Africa (Tanzania, D.R. Congo, Burundi, Zambia)	32,900 sq. km
Lake Malawi	Southeast Africa (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)	29,600 sq. km
Lake Albert	East Africa (Uganda, D.R. Congo)	5,300 sq. km
Lake Kivu	East Africa (D.R. Congo, Rwanda)	2,700 sq. km
Lake Chad	Central Africa (Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria)	Varies significantly: 1,350 - 25,000 sq. km
Lake Turkana	East Africa (Kenya)	6,405 sq. km
Lake Kariba	Southern Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe)	5,580 sq. km
Lake Edward	East Africa (Uganda, D.R. Congo)	2,325 sq. km
Lake Tana	Ethiopia	3,673 sq. km

Conclusion

Africa's lakes are magnificent natural wonders, each with distinct qualities and significance. These lakes, which range in size from Lake Victoria's grandeur to Lake Tanganyika's depths and Lake Malawi's picturesque splendour, are vital to the ecology of the area and offer priceless resources to neighbouring tribes.

Africa's lakes provide a window into the rich natural history of the continent, whether you choose to explore the varied species of Lake Albert or take in the breathtaking scenery of Lake Kariba.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the surface area of Lake Victoria?

Lake Victoria has an approximate surface area of 68,800 square kilometers.

Which countries share Lake Tanganyika?

Lake Tanganyika is shared by Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R. Congo), Burundi, and Zambia.

What is the maximum depth of Lake Malawi?

Lake Malawi has a maximum depth of 706 meters (2,316 feet).

Where is Lake Albert located?

Lake Albert is located in both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Which lake is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by volume?

Lake Tanganyika is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by volume.

Which river system does Lake Chad drain into?

Lake Chad drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Congo River system.

Which lake is the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the world?

Lake Kariba is the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the world.

Which lake is the longest freshwater lake in the world?

Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world.

Which river originates in Lake Tana?

The Blue Nile originates in Lake Tana.

How many nations share the area of Lake Victoria?

Lake Victoria is shared by three nations: Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.