Zambezi: Difference between revisions
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==Tributaries== |
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The Zambezi has numerous tributaries. Some of the more important ones are described here, in order from source to sea. |
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The [[Kabompo]] rises in the high land which forms the eastern watershed between the Zambezi and [[Congo]] systems. It is formed itself by the confluence of the upper Kabompo and the somewhat larger [[Lunga River]], and flows into the Zambezi north of the town of [[Lukulu]]. The [[Lungwebungu]], which enters the Zambezi from the west just south of the confluence with the Kabompo River, is 200 metres wide in its upper course, flowing in a valley bordered by white sand covered in thin forest, its floor forming at times an inundated plain 2 to 3 miles wide. |
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The [[Cuando River]], largest of the river's western tributaries, has the ruined capital of the [[Makololo]] people on its lower reaches. It rises in [[Angola]], and forms the border between Zambia and Angola for part of its course, before curving to the south, then flowing east into the Zambezi. In this eastward stretch the Cuando flows through a vast reedy [[swamp]] studded with alluvial islands for 110 km (70 miles), and at its most southern bend is joined by the [[Magwekwana]], which in time of flood receives some of the surplus water of the [[Okavango]]. This surplus water, received after most of the flood water of the Cuando has passed, raises the level of the lake and holds up the waters of the Cuando for some miles above it. |
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The largest tributary of the middle Zambezi, the [[Kafue]], rises in northern Zambia at an elevation of 1350 metres in thick forest country. The main headstream is later joined by the [[Lunga]] or Luanga. The [[Itezhi-Tezhi Dam]] is an important source of [[hydroelectric]] power from the Kafue River, and the river also supports a great deal of wildlife, which is protected by Zambia's largest [[national park]], [[Kafue National Park]]. The lower Kafue has a series of [[waterfall]]s and cataracts, dropping several hundred feet in 25 km (15 miles). |
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The next large tributary to the east is the [[Luangwa]], which rises near the north-west corner of [[Lake Malawi]] and in its upper course runs parallel to its western shores. The Luangwa flows in a generally level valley, bounded by steep plateau escarpments, and is generally shallow and rapid, though fairly wide. Its tributaries the [[Lunsemfwa River]] and [[Lukasashi River]] drain a large area of the western plateau of Zambia. The Luangwa joins the Zambezi a little above the town of [[Zumbo]]. The Luangwa Valley is an important wildlife conservation area, and contains [[North Luangwa National Park]] and [[South Luangwa National Park]]. The Luangwa defines the border between Zambia and Mozambique for about 75 km before it joins the Zambezi. |
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From the south the middle Zambezi receives various rivers which water northern [[Zimbabwe]]—the [[Shangani]], [[Sanyati]], and [[Hanyani]], besides minor streams. The [[Mazoe]], which rises in [[Mashonaland]], joins the Zambezi below the Cahora Bassa Dam. |
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Revision as of 21:54, 1 September 2005
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The Zambezi (also spelled Zambesi) is the fourth-longest river in Africa, and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean. The area of its basin is 1,570,000 km² (606,000 miles²), slightly less than half that of the Nile. The 2,574 km (1,600 mile) long river has its source in Zambia and flows through Angola, along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, to Mozambique, where it empties into the Indian Ocean.
The Zambezi's most spectacular feature is Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls. Other notable falls include the Chavuma Falls at the border between Zambia and Angola, and Ngonye Falls, near Sioma in Western Zambia. Over its entire course, the Zambezi is spanned by only five bridges: at Chinyingi, Katima Mulilo, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Tete.
There are two main sources of hydroelectric power on the river. These are the Kariba Dam, which provides power to Zambia and Zimbabwe and the Cabora-Bassa Dam in Mozambique which provides power to South Africa. There is also a smaller power station at Victoria Falls.
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Wildlife
The river supports large populations of many animals. Hippopotamuses are abundant along most of the calm stretches of the river, and many crocodiles are also present. Monitor lizards are found in many places. Bird life is abundant, with species including heron, pelican, egret and African Fish Eagle present in large numbers. Riverine woodland also supports many large animals, such as buffalo, zebras, giraffes and elephants. However, below Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams, the cessation of annual flooding has seen the area of this habitat greatly reduced and a corresponding reduction in the populations of the large mammals.
The Zambezi also supports several hundred species of fish, some of which are endemic to the river. Important species include cichlids which are fished heavily for food, as well as catfish, tigerfish and other large species. The bull shark is sometimes known as the Zambezi Shark after the river but is found around the world. It normally inhabits coastal waters but has been found far inland in many large rivers including the Zambezi. It is an aggressive shark which has been responsible for several attacks on humans.
Economy
The population of the Zambezi river valley is estimated to be about 32 million. About 80% of the population of the valley is dependent on agriculture, and the upper river's flood plains provide good agricultural land.
Communities by the river fish extensively from it, and many people travel from far afield to fish. Some Zambian towns on roads leading to the river levy unofficial 'fish taxes' on people taking Zambezi fish to other parts of the country. As well as fishing for food, game fishing is a significant activity on some parts of the river. Between Mongu and Livingstone, several safari lodges cater for tourists who want to fish for exotic species, and many also catch fish to sell to aquaria.
The river valley is rich in mineral deposits and fossil fuels, and coal mining is important in places. The dams along its length also provide employment for many people near them, in maintaining the hydroelectric power stations and the dams themselves. Several parts of the river are also very popular tourist destinations. Victoria Falls receives over 1.5 million visitors annually, while Mana Pools and Lake Kariba also draw substantial tourist numbers.
Transportation
The river is frequently interrupted by rapids and so has never been an important long-distance transport route. However, along short stretches, it is often more convenient to travel by canoe along the river rather than on the unimproved roads which are often in very poor condition due to being regularly submerged in flood waters, and many small villages along the banks of the river are only accessible by boat.
There are only five bridges across the river along its entire course, of which one is a footbridge only. However, at many locations pontoons ferry people and vehicles across the river. The bridge at Victoria Falls was the first to be built, and was completed in April 1905. It was initially intended as a link in Cecil Rhodes' scheme to build a railway from Cape Town to Cairo. The bridge is 250 metres (820 feet) across, with a main arch spanning 150 metres (490 feet), and the top of the bridge is 125 metres (410 feet) above the low-water level of the river. Later bridges were constructed at Chirundu in Zambia (1939, replaced in 2003), Tete in Mozambique (1960s) and Chinyingi in northern Zambia in the 1970s (footbridge only). 2004 saw the completion of a bridge crossing the river from Sesheke in Zambia with Katima Mulilo in Namibia, completing the TransCaprivi Highway and connecting Lusaka in Zambia with Walvis Bay on the Namibian coast.
Ecology
Sewage effluent is a major cause of water pollution around urban areas, as inadequate water treatment facilities in all the major cities of the region force them to release untreated sewage into the river. This has resulted in eutrophication of the river water and has facilitated the spread of diseases of poor hygiene such as cholera, typhus and dysentery.
The construction of two major dams regulating the flow of the river has had a major effect on wildlife and human populations in the lower Zambezi region. When the Cahora Bassa Dam was constructed in 1973, its managers allowed it to fill in a single flood season, going against recommendations to fill over at least two years. The drastic reduction in the flow of the river led to a 40% reduction in the coverage of mangroves, greatly increased erosion of the coastal region and a 60% reduction in the catch of prawns off the mouth due to the reduction in emplacement of silt and associate nutrients. Wetland ecosystems downstream of the dam shrank considerably.
Major towns
Along much of the river's length, the population is sparse, but important towns and cities along its course include the following:
- Mongu
- Lukulu
- Katima Mulilo (Namibia), Sesheke (Zambia)
- Livingstone (Zambia), Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- Kariba
- Songo
- Tete
References
- Bento C.M., Beilfuss R. (2003), Wattled Cranes, Waterbirds, and Wetland Conservation in the Zambezi Delta, Mozambique, report for the Biodiversity Foundation for Africa for the IUCN - Regional Office for Southern Africa: Zambezi Basin Wetlands Conservation and Resource Utilisation Project.
- Bourgeois S., Kocher T., Schelander P. (2003), Case study: Zambezi river basin, ETH Seminar: Science and Politics of International Freshwater Management 2003/04
- Davies B.R., Beilfuss R., Thoms M.C. (2000), Cahora Bassa retrospective, 1974–1997: effects of flow regulation on the Lower Zambezi River, Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol, v. 27, p. 1-9
- Dunham KM (1994), The effect of drought on the large mammal populations of Zambezi riverine woodlands, Journal of Zoology, v. 234, p. 489-526
- Wynn S. (2002), The Zambezi River - Wilderness and Tourism, International Journal of Wilderness, v. 8, p. 34
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
