{"id":9458,"date":"2023-11-04T03:50:16","date_gmt":"2023-11-04T02:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/?p=9458"},"modified":"2023-11-04T03:50:16","modified_gmt":"2023-11-04T02:50:16","slug":"how-wide-is-lake-victoria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/how-wide-is-lake-victoria\/","title":{"rendered":"How Wide Is Lake Victoria"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Overview<\/h2>\n

Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, is a body of water located in East Africa and it borders Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. With a total surface area of about 59,947 square kilometers, it is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake behind Canada’s Lake Superior. It is an important fishing site for the countries which it borders, and is home to numerous species of fish, including species of tilapia, catfish, and perch. The lake is also important ecologically, providing a primary source of water to millions of people living in the countries it borders.<\/p>\n

Size & Volume <\/h2>\n

Lake Victoria is approximately 69,484 square kilometers in total size, and has an average depth of 80 meters. Its maximum depth is about 250 meters. The lake has a total volume of 2,750 cubic kilometers, making it one of the deepest lakes in the world. A number of rivers feed into Lake Victoria, including the Kagera, Kafu, Katonga, Rwizi, and Sio. The lake also has its own outlet, the Victoria Nile, which is one of the main sources of the Nile river.<\/p>\n

Ecological Significance<\/h2>\n

Lake Victoria is home to numerous species of fish, including tilapia, catfish, and perch. It is an important fishing site for the countries which it borders, providing a primary source of protein and income for local populations. It is also home to several hundred species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Additionally, the lake is an important breeding ground for many species of fish, and the wetlands around the lake provide important nesting habitat for waterbirds.
\nLake Victoria is an important ecosystem for the East African region. It provides a primary source of water for the countries it borders, supplying about 10% of the region’s water. It is an important source of irrigation for the area, providing water for agriculture and fisheries, and is also an important source of electricity, hydropower, and transport. <\/p>\n

Environmental Challenges<\/h2>\n

Lake Victoria faces a number of environmental threats, including climate change, water pollution, and overfishing. The lake is also threatened by the introduction of invasive species and the destruction of critical riparian habitats. Additionally, rampant deforestation and agricultural expansion threaten the lake’s ecosystems. These threats, combined with a lack of conservation efforts, have led to the decline of the lake’s fish populations and threaten its long-term health. <\/p>\n

Protection Efforts<\/h2>\n