{"id":9476,"date":"2023-11-03T07:15:16","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T06:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/?p=9476"},"modified":"2023-11-03T07:15:16","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T06:15:16","slug":"how-many-square-miles-is-lake-victoria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/how-many-square-miles-is-lake-victoria\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Square Miles Is Lake Victoria"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Surface Area Overview of Lake Victoria<\/h2>\n

Lake Victoria is the largest of African Great Lakes. It is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by surface area. With an area of 26,650 square miles, it is larger than the United Kingdom and the second-largest lake in terms of surface area. It is located in the African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and has a total surface area of about 26,690 square miles. It is the source of the River Nile, which flows north towards the Mediterranean Sea, and is the most significant of Africa’s Great Lakes.<\/p>\n

History of Lake Victoria<\/h2>\n

Lake Victoria is named after Queen Victoria and was first explored by the British explorer, John Hanning Speke. Speke discovered the lake in 1858 and named it after the queen of England. The lake has played an important role in the history of East Africa for thousands of years, as it is believed that the ancient city state of Swahili civilization, which was based around the lake, was an important trade hub between the African continent and Arabia.<\/p>\n

Geography of Lake Victoria<\/h2>\n

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and is located at the southern end of the African Great Lakes region. It has numerous islands, with one of the largest being Ukerewe Island, located in Tanzanian waters with an area of 676 square kilometers. It is located in the Great African rift Valley and is bordered by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It has a maximum depth of around 300 feet and an average depth of 80 feet. It is fed mainly by two rivers, the Kagera and the Sio, as well as numerous other small rivers and streams.<\/p>\n

Fauna and Flora of Lake Victoria<\/h2>\n

Lake Victoria is an important source of fish and it is home to 300 species of fish, the most notable being the cichlids. The lake also supports various species of water birds, including cormorants, sandpipers, and storks. The lake shores are also home to a variety of flora, including papyrus, reeds and grasses, mangroves, and water lilies.<\/p>\n

Pollution in Lake Victoria<\/h2>\n