Zambezi (river in Africa) where does it originate and where does it flow? Zambezi: source, length, location on the map and photo. Regime of the Zambezi River. Where does the Zambezi River flow into? When the Zambezi River is full

Zambezi- the fourth longest river in Africa. The basin area is 1,570,000 km², the length is 2574 km. The average water flow near the mouth of the river is 16 thousand m³/s; annual runoff 106 km3.

The Zambezi's most important attraction is the Victoria Falls, one of the world's greatest waterfalls.

River flow

Source

The source of the river is in the region of black swamps (called dumbo) in the north-west of Zambia among forested hills at an altitude of about 1520 meters above sea level. This is the territory of the Ikelenge district in the North-Western province of Zambia. To the east of the source is a belt of uplands with rather steep northern and southern slopes, lying between 11 and 12 degrees south latitude and extending to the northwest. The watershed between the Congo and Zambezi river basins runs along this belt. It clearly separates the basin of the Luapala River (the main tributary of the upper Congo) from the Zambezi. In the vicinity of the source, the watershed is implicit, but these two river systems are not connected.

Upper reaches of the river

Starting in Zambia, the river flows southwest through Angola for about 240 km before turning south. The river receives numerous tributaries, the largest of which is the right tributary of the Luen. In the area of ​​the Chavuma Falls, the Zambezi, after passing through the rapids, returns to Zambia. Here the river reaches a width of 400 m and has a stormy character. The source of the river is at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level, but to the Chavuma waterfall it drops to 1100 m. From here to the Victoria Falls, the river level practically does not change, dropping only 180 m. Lungwebung on the right. 30 km below the confluence with the Lungwebungu, the terrain becomes flat, here the floodplain begins. Barotse, in the rainy season the river overflows 20–25 km wide.

Zambezi River in North West Zambia

80 kilometers below the confluence of the Lungwebungu, the Luanjinga River flows into the Zambezi. Downstream is the city of Lilui, one of the administrative centers of the territory of the Lozi people, who inhabit the semi-autonomous region of Zambia - Barotseland. The Lozi king's annual move before the start of the monsoon season from Lilui to Limalanga—the second residence further from the river—is a major part of the Zambian Forum of Quombok.

Further, the landscape of the Zambezi coast becomes flat, the current here slows down and gradually turns to the southeast. Savannah, through which the river flows, gives way to a bush-bush with palmyra palms. Numerous small tributaries continue to flow into it from the east, while for 240 km, up to the confluence with the Kwando River, there is not a single western (right) tributary. Before entering the Kwando, the river flows through a series of rapids and rapids, forming the Ngambwe Falls, which makes navigation in this section impossible. To the south of the Ngambwe Falls, the border of Zambia and Namibia runs along the Zambezi, from the north limiting the Caprivi strip - a narrow and long strip of Namibian territory, extending east from the main territory of the country up to the Zambezi River and tearing apart the territories of Botswana and Angola.

After the confluence of the Kwando, the Zambezi turns sharply to the east. At this point, the wide and shallow Zambezi flows slowly, and on its way east, to the border of the great Central African plateau, the river reaches a fault, into which it falls Victoria Falls.

Middle Zambezi

The middle Zambezi ends at the confluence of the river into the Kahora Bassa reservoir, created in 1974 after the construction of the Kabora-Bassa hydroelectric dam.

Lower Zambezi

Zambezi Delta

650 km of the lower reaches of the Zambezi from Cabora-Bass HPP to the Indian Ocean are navigable, however, during the dry season, many shoals form on the river. This is due to the fact that the channel runs through a wide valley and the river spills over a large area. Only in a few places, such as the Lupata Gorge, 320 km from the mouth of the river, does the Zambezi flow in a canyon bounded by high hills. In this place, the width of the river is no more than 200 meters. In other places it is from 5 to 8 km and its course is extremely slow. The river bed in this area is sandy. In certain periods, and especially in the rainy season, the various channels of the river are combined into one wide and fast stream.

Approximately 160 km from the Zambezi Ocean, through the Shire River, it is replenished with water from Lake Malawi. When approaching the Indian Ocean, the river splits into many branches and forms a wide delta. The four main branches - Milaimb, Kongoun, Luabo and Timbw - are not navigable due to large sand drifts. For navigation, only the northern branch of the Chind is used, which has a minimum depth of 2 meters at the beginning and 4 meters in the further course.

The largest tributary of the middle Zambezi - Kafue, begins in northern Zambia at an elevation of 1350 meters in a vast forest country. In the upper reaches, the Langa or Luanga river joins it. The Itezhi-Tezhi Dam is an important source of hydroelectric power on the Kafue River. The river crosses wilderness areas, the largest of which is protected by Zambia's Kafue National Park. In its lower reaches, the river passes a series of waterfalls and rapids, dropping several hundred feet over a distance of 25 km (15 miles).

The next large left tributary is Luangwa, which begins near the northwestern shore of Lake Malawi, and in the upper reaches runs parallel to its western shores. The Luangwa flows in a valley bounded by the steep escarpments of the plateau. Its tributaries, the Lansemfwa and the Lakazashi, collect water from a large area of ​​Zambia's western plateau. Luangwa joins the Zambezi just above the city of Zambo.

The Luangwa Valley is an important wildlife sanctuary. Includes North and South Luangwa National Parks. The Luangwa defines the border between Zambia and Mozambique for about 75 km before joining the Zambezi.

The major right tributaries of the middle course of the Zambezi are the Shangani, Sanyati, and Khanyani, and the Mazo, which begins at Mashonaland, and flows into the Zambezi below the dam Cahora Bassa. .

River exploration

The Zambezi region was known to medieval geographers as Empire Monomotapa . The direction of the river and the location of the lakes Ngami and Nyasa were depicted quite accurately even on early maps, which were probably based on Arabic information.

The first European to visit the upper Zambezi was David Livingstone. He reached the river during his journey from Bechuanaland between and. Two or three years later he was descending the Zambezi and on that trip he discovered the Victoria Falls. During - accompanied by John Kirk, Livingston climbed up the river to the Kongoun Falls, and also discovered Lake Malawi.

Over the next 35 years, a number of studies of the river were carried out. In the Chind Canal was discovered, located north of the main channels of the river delta. Two expeditions led by A.S. Hill Gibbons(-) continued the research begun by Livingston in the upper basin and the central course of the river. The Portuguese explorer Serpa Pinto studied some of the river's western tributaries and measured the Victoria Falls.

wild nature

The Zambezi is home to a large number of wildlife populations. Hippos living on calm stretches of the river, many crocodiles. Monitor lizards, special species of birds including the heron,

The Zambezi in the heart of Africa, the great river governs the life of the ancient continent. The Zambezi River is the fourth longest river in. The basin area is 1,570,000 km², the length is 2,574 km. The source of the river is in Zambia, the river flows through Angola and flows into the Indian Ocean. ( 11 photos)

1. 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. From the source to the waterfall, for 1200 km, the river flows along a gently sloping, in some places heavily swampy plain. There are rapids and waterfalls in places where hard rocks come out.

4. The Zambezi is home to a large number of wildlife populations. living on calm stretches of the river, many. Monitor lizards, special species of birds including the heron, pelican, egret and African eagle.

5. From the change of seasons depends on the overflow of rivers and drought, which affect animals. Water may not be enough, or it may be in excess. But for more than a million years, animals have adapted.

7. In its course, the river often passes through rapids, thus, through navigation on it is impossible. However, for short distances it is much more convenient to travel along the river by boat than to travel along dirt roads regularly washed out by floods, and it is even possible to get to some villages only by water.

Plan:

Introduction

• 1 The course of the river
  • 1.1 Istok
  • 1.2 Upper river
  • 1.3 Middle Zambezi
  • 1.4 Lower Zambezi
• 2 Tributaries
• 3 River exploration
• 4 Wildlife
• 5 Economy
• 6 transport value
• 7 Ecology
• 8 Main settlements
• 9 Literature (links)

Introduction

Zambezi Basin

Zambezi- the fourth longest river in Africa. The basin area is 1,570,000 km², 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. Name Zambezi was given to the river by its discoverer among Europeans, David Livingston, comes from a distorted Casambo Wazy- names in one of the local dialects. [ ]

The most important attraction Zambezi- Victoria Falls, one of the greatest waterfalls in the world.

There are many remarkable waterfalls in Zambezi: Chavuma on the border of Zambia and Angola and Ngambwe, in Western Zambia. There are five bridges along the river across the Zambezi in the cities of Chinwingi, Katima Mulilo, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Tete.

Two large hydroelectric power plants have been 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.

1. The course of the river

1.1. Source

The river originates in the area of ​​black swamps in the north-west of Zambia, among forested hills with a height of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. To the east of the source is the watershed between the Congo and Zambezi river basins, which is a belt of uplands with rather steep northern and southern slopes, lying between 11 and 12 degrees south latitude. It distinctly separates the basin of the Luapala River (the main tributary of the upper Congo) from the Zambezi. In the vicinity of the source, the watershed is implicitly expressed, but still the two river systems are not connected.

1.2. Upper reaches of the river

After flowing to the southwest after about 240 km, the river turns south, where numerous tributaries flow into it. A few kilometers above Keyknji, the river expands from 100 to 350 meters, below Keyknji there are numerous rapids ending in the Chavama waterfall, where the river falls into a crack in the rocks. The first of the great tributaries Zambezi- Kabompo River - located in northern Zambia. And a little to the south, an even larger river flows into it - the Langwebangu. The savanna through which the river flows gives way to a shrub-bush with palm trees. Borassas.

Zambezi River in North West Zambia

From a height of 1500 m above sea level at its source, after 350 km at Keiknji, the river drops to approximately 1100 m. From this city to Victoria Falls, the river level practically does not change, dropping only another 180 m. Langwebang the area becomes flat, and during the rainy season is largely flood-prone. 80 kilometers (50 miles) further down, the Luanjinga, which with its tributaries dries up a large area to the west, joins the Zambezi. A few kilometers further east, the main stream joins the Luena River.

Below the confluence of the Luanjinga is the city - Lilui, one of the administrative centers of the Lotsi people, who inhabit the semi-autonomous region of Zambia - Barotseland . Head Lozi has two compositions, the other is Limalanga. Limalanga is on high ground and serves as the main capital during the rainy season. The annual movement from Lilui to Limalang is famous for the festivals of Zambia, Kuombok.

After Lilui, the river turns to the southeast. Numerous small tributaries continue to flow into it from the east, but in the west it has no tributaries for 240 km, up to the confluence with the Kwando River. Before entering the Kwando, the river passes through a series of rapids and rapids and the Ngambwe Falls, so navigation in this section is impossible. South of the Ngambwe Falls, the river runs for a short distance along the border of Namibia, its so-called Caprivi Strip. This narrow and long strip of Namibian land extends from the mainland of Namibia all the way to the Zambezi River, tearing apart the territories of Botswana and Angola. Its origin is due to the desire during colonial development to have access to the Zambezi River for the then German South-West Africa.

Below the confluence of the Kwando and Zambezi, the river turns sharply to the east. At this point, the wide and shallow Zambezi flows slowly, and on its way to the east, to the border of the great Central African plateau, the river reaches a fault, into which it rushes down the Victoria Falls.

1.3. Middle Zambezi

Victoria Falls, the end of the upper Zambezi and the beginning of the middle Zambezi. View from above

Victoria Falls in 1915. Front view

Victoria Falls is considered the border of the upper and middle Zambezi. Below it, the river continues to flow east, for about another 200 km between hills, 200-250 meters high, cutting through 20-60-meter perpendicular walls of basalt. The river flows rapidly through the gorge, overcoming numerous rapids and rapids that stretch for a distance of 240 km from Victoria Falls. In this section, the water line drops by 250 meters.

Finally, the river flows into the Caribbean Reservoir (Lake Kariba), created in 1959 after the construction of a dam Kariba HPP. This reservoir is one of the largest artificial lakes in the world, and the Kariba hydroelectric power station provides electricity to much of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Luangwa and Kafue are the two main left tributaries of the Zambezi. Kafue joins the main river in a quiet deep stream about 180 meters wide. From this point the northward bend of the Zambezi is checked and the current continues due east. At the confluence of the Luangwa (15°37 and *8242; S), it enters Mozambique.

The middle Zambezi ends at the confluence of the river into the reservoir (lake) Cahora Bassa ( Cabora Bassa ). At this point, the river used to pass through dangerous rapids known as Quebrabassa. The lake was created in 1974 after the construction of the Cabora-Bassa hydroelectric dam.

1.4. Lower Zambezi

The 650 km of the lower reaches of the Zambezi from the Cabora-Bass hydroelectric power station to the Indian Ocean are navigable, but during the dry season there are many shoals on the river. A similar situation arises because the river enters a wide valley and spills over a large area. Only in some places, such as the gorge Lupata, 320 km from the mouth of the river, the Zambezi flows in a canyon bounded by high hills. In this place, the width of the river is no more than 200 meters. In other places it is from 5 to 8 km, and its course is extremely slow. The riverbed is sandy. In certain periods, and especially during the rainy season, the various channels of the river are combined into one wide and fast stream.

Zambezi Delta

About 160 km (100 miles) from the Zambezi Sea receives the drainage of Lake Malawi across the Shire. As the Indian Ocean approaches, the river splits into many branches and forms a wide delta. Each of the four main mouths, Milamb, Kongown, Luabo and Timbw, hampered by sand deposits. A more northerly branch, named chind, has a minimum depth in low water of 2 meters at the entrance of 4 meters, this branch is used for navigation. 100 km (60 miles) further north is a river named Quelimane, after the city. This stream, which is a silting, gets out of the Zambezi during the rainy season. The Zambezi Delta is half as wide today as it was before the creation caribbean and Cahora Bassa Dams controlled seasonal changes in the flow of the river.

The area desiccated by the Zambezi is a fractured vast - 900-1200 meter high flanked plateau composed in a distant interior of metamorphic beds and fringed with the volcanic rocks of the Victoria Falls. At Xapanga, on the lower Zambezi, thin strata of gray and yellow sandstones, with an occasional band of limestone, harvest on the bed of the river in the dry season, and they persist beyond Tete, where they are bound by vast seams of coal. Coal can be found in the area, but only below Victoria Falls. Gold-bearing rocks occur in several places.

2. Tributaries

The Zambezi has numerous tributaries. The most important are described below in order of confluence from source to mouth.

The Kabompo River begins its journey from the uplands that form the eastern divide between the Zambezi and Congo systems. It arises from the confluence of the Upper Kabompo and the somewhat larger Lunga River and flows into the Zambezi north of the city of Lakalu. Flowing into the Zambezi from the west somewhat south of the confluence with Kabompo, the Langwebangu River in its upper reaches is 200 m wide and flows in the valley through a zone of light forest and white sands. The river floodplain, which is flooded from time to time during floods, is about 3 km wide.

The Kwando River, the largest of the western tributaries of the river, has a ruined capital of people Macololo at its lower limits. It rises in Angola, and forms the border between Zambia and Angola for part of its course, before bending to the south, passing as a gentle east into the Zambezi. In this eastward stretch to the Kuando streams through a vast piercing swamp, with alluvial islands 110 km (70 miles), in its southern bend, which joins Magwekwana. During floods, Magwecana receives some of the Okavango's excess water. This excess water, taken from most of the flow of the Kwando water, raises the level of the lake and keeps the waters of the Kwando up to some miles above it.

The largest tributary of the middle Zambezi, the Kafue, rises in northern Zambia at an elevation of 1350 meters in a thick forest country. The main headwaters are joined by the Langa or Luanga River. The Itezhi-Tezhi Dam is an important source of hydroelectric power from the Kafue River. The river also supports wildlife which is protected by Zambia's largest national park - Kafue National Park. The lower Kafue has a series of waterfalls and streams, dropping several hundred feet over 25 km (15 miles).

The next major tributary to the east is the Luangwa, which rises near the northwest corner of Lake Malawi, in its upper course parallel to its western shores. The Luangwa flows into a level valley bounded by the steep escarpments of the plateau. Its tributaries, the Lansemfwa River and the Lakasashi River, dry up a large area of ​​Zambia's western plateau. Luangwa joins the Zambezi just above Zambo town.

The Luangwa Valley is an important wildlife sanctuary. Contains North Luangwa National Park and South Luangwa National Park. Luangwa defines the border between Zambia and Mozambique for about 75 km before joining the Zambezi.

From the south, the middle Zambezi merges with the rivers - Shangani, Sanyati, and Khanyani, in addition to minor streams. Maso that rises in Mashonaland, joins Zambezi below Cahora Bassa Dam.

3. River exploration

Satellite image showing the Victoria Falls and subsequent series of gorges

The Zambezi region was known to medieval geographers as Monomotapa Empire , and the course of the river, as well as the positions of Lakes Ngami and Nyasa, were given broadly accurately in early charts. They were probably built from Arabic information.

The first European to visit the upper Zambezi was David Livingstone in his exploration from Bechuanaland between 1851 and 1853. Two or three years later he descended the Zambezi and during this trip discovered Victoria Falls. During 1858-1860, accompanied by John Kirk, Livingston climbed upriver to the Congoun Falls and also traced the course of its tributary, the County, and discovered Lake Malawi.

Over the next 35 years, there was a huge amount of research on the river. In 1889, the Chind Canal was discovered, located north of the main mouths of the river. Two expeditions led by A. S-Hill Gibbons in (1895-1896) he continued the work of exploration begun by Livingston in the upper basin and the central course of the river. The Portuguese explorer Serpa Pinto studied some of the river's western tributaries and measured the Victoria Falls in 1878.

4. Wildlife

Zebra living in the Zambezi river basin

The Zambezi is home to a large number of wildlife populations. Hippos living on calm stretches of the river, many crocodiles. Monitor lizards, special species of birds including the heron, pelican, egret and African eagle. Coastal forests are inhabited by herds of large animals - buffaloes, zebras, giraffes and elephants. However, the number of large mammals is declining due to a decrease in the areas of flood pastures caused by the violation of the flood regime of the river by the dams of the Kariba and Cabora Bassa hydroelectric dams.

The Zambezi is home to several hundred species of fish, some of which are endemic. The most important are cichlids, catfish, catfish, terapons and others. In the river there is a bull shark (blunt-nosed shark), also known as Shark Zambezi although it is also found in other countries. These sharks live not only in sea waters on the coast, but also in the Zambezi and its tributaries inland. The bull shark is an aggressive shark that is known for its attacks on humans.

5. Economy

Zambezi near the Mongo River

The population of the Zambezi Valley is estimated at approximately 32 million people. About 80% of the population of the valley is engaged in agriculture, and the floodplain of the upper reaches of the river provides them with fertile soil.

Fishing is very intensive, as people from arid places are added to the local fishermen, who make quite long journeys to feed their families. In some towns in Zambia, unofficial fishing taxes are levied on roads leading to the river for people who come from another part of the country. As well as fishing for food, sport fishing is an essential part of the economy in some sections of the river. There are several safaris between Mongu and Livingston that cater to fishing tourists. Fish are also caught for sale to aquarium lovers.

The river valley is rich in minerals and fuel for the coal industry. Some stretches of the river are popular tourist destinations. Victoria Falls receives more than 1.5 million visitors a year, and Lake Kariba also receives a significant number of tourists.

6. Transport value

In its course, the river often passes through rapids and rapids, and thus through navigation is impossible on it. However, for short distances it is much more convenient to travel along the river by boat than to travel along dirt roads regularly washed out by floods, and some villages can only be reached by water .

Throughout its length, the river is crossed by only five bridges. The bridge in Victoria Falls was the first, its construction was completed in April 1905. It was originally intended for the railway line planned by Cecil Rhodes from Cape Town to Cairo.

The length of the bridge is 250 m, the length of the central span is 150 m, the height of the bridge above the water surface is 125 m.

More recent bridges were built at Chirundu in [Zambia|Zambia], rebuilt in 2003), Tete in Mozambique (1960s) and Chinwingi in northern Zambia in the 1970s (pedestrian). In 2004, the bridge was completed between the cities of Seshek in Zambia and Katima Mulilo in Namibia - the last section of the Transcaprivi Highway connecting Lusaka in Zambia with Walvis Bay on the Namibian coast.

The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa. Geographically, the river is located in South Africa, it originates in Zambia, then, flowing through the territory of five more states (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique), it flows into the Indian Ocean.

The area of ​​​​the territory from which the Zambezi River collects its waters is 1390 thousand square meters. km., and the length of the watercourse itself is 2574 kilometers. It is on this river that one of the most famous waterfalls in the world - Victoria Falls - is located. But it is not the only one - the rocky rocks along which the river basin passes contribute to the formation of waterfalls, among which Chavuma and Ngambwe can also be noted.

Hydrological and morphological characteristics

The source, from which the Zambezi River begins, is located among the swamp massif, located at an altitude of about 1500 m above sea level. The watershed separating the river basin from the neighboring Congo River basin is not clearly marked, but the two river systems do not connect. In the upper reaches, the river is shallow and wide, subject to frequent floods. The river is mainly fed by rain and underground, with pronounced periods of rain floods. After the Victoria Falls, the middle course of the river begins, which is characterized by the intersection of basalt rocks, overcoming which, the watercourse forms numerous riffles, rapids and rapids. In the lower reaches, which is located in a wide valley, the Zambezi becomes navigable.

Man's use of the river

The Zambezi River was first seriously explored in the middle of the 19th century, thanks to the famous expeditions of Livingston, although it was known to medieval geographers. Today, about 32 million people live in the river valley alone, mainly engaged in agriculture and fishing. Despite its considerable length, this river is crossed by only five bridges. The construction of two large dams has had a significant negative impact on the state of the river, and in our time, pressure on the ecosystem continues due to regular discharges of untreated sewage.

The Zambezi is a river in Africa with many rapids and waterfalls.

Victoria Falls

The river is rapid, with a temper. There are many dangerous places on it. And a lot of waterfalls. The most beautiful of them is Victoria.

It was formed as a result of a tectonic fault, which created an abyss with sheer walls. River water falls down from a height of 110 meters. The width of the waterfall is 1800 meters. Before falling from a height, the water accumulates in a small lake called the Devil's Pool.
The abyss is a narrow cleft. There is only one exit from it in the form of a narrow channel, the width of which does not exceed 30 meters. Its length is 120 meters. The entire mass of river water rushes along it and falls into a gorge with sheer walls. Their height is over 100 meters. In some places, the gorge expands, and reservoirs are formed. They are characterized by large slow whirlpools. The length of the gorge is 80 km.
Victoria Falls itself is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe near the city of Livingston. At this point, the upper course of the Zambezi ends and the middle course begins. The river flows to the east in a mountainous area and is replete with rapids and rapids. Then the channel turns to the northeast and passes into the Kariba reservoir. It was created by the Kariba hydroelectric dam. It provides electricity to two countries at once: Zambia and Zimbabwe. The dam is 126 meters high and 580 meters wide. It was built in 1959.

Reservoir

The area of ​​the reservoir itself is 5.6 thousand square meters. km. The width reaches 40 km, and the length is 220 km. The reservoir is considered one of the largest artificial reservoirs in the world. After the reservoir, the river receives several tributaries. On the border of Zambia and Mozambique, the left tributary of the Luangwa flows into it, and then comes the turn of the second reservoir, called Cabora Bassa. It was created by the hydroelectric dam of the same name, put into operation in 1979.

river source

The source is located at an altitude of 1543 meters above sea level in the dark swamps of Dumbo. According to the stories of the natives, it is there that the most powerful of the sorcerers live. This place is considered one of the most creepy and mysterious on Earth.

river delta

The river delta begins near the town of Marromeu. In its delta, the Zambezi is divided into a huge number of branches and channels. The most famous of them are Inamisengo, Koama, Shinde, Muselo.

The most important tributaries: on the right - Lungwebungu, Luanginga, Linyanti (in the upper and middle reaches of the Kwando), Umniati, Luenya; on the left - Kabompo, Luena, Kasrue, Luangwa, Shire.

The branches of the river are not navigable due to large sand deposits.

It is noteworthy that the delta narrows every year. This is due to the construction of the Kariba and Cabora Bassa dams. They significantly smoothed the seasonal changes in the water flow.

Animals, fish and birds

A huge number of animals and birds live on the banks of this African river.
Hippopotamuses, monitor lizards, crocodiles, pelicans, egrets, African eagles and many, many other wildlife coexist in the Zambezi River range.

Fortunately, severe water pollution has not yet affected a wide variety of fish species living in the Zambezi.

In the muddy wide waters of the river, sometimes even sharks are found.

River floods and droughts depend on the time of year.
See photos of the river on the site "The Amazing World of Nature".

The role of nature in human life. The role of man in the life of the river.

Two large hydroelectric power plants have been built on the Zambezi.
Through navigation is impossible because of the rapids on the river, but there are many short stretches used by people for transportation and interesting excursions to the scenic spots of Africa.

Ecology

The Zambezi River could be habitable for many people and animals. But the colossal water pollution by industrial and household waste greatly worsens the state of the environment in the river area.

There is not a single purification facility along the riverbed.

Not surprisingly, dysentery and typhoid are not rare diseases in those parts.