Victoria Falls is on which river?
VerifiedAnswer: Zambezi River
Explanation:
Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders, is located on the Zambezi River. This magnificent waterfall forms part of the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa, making it a key geographical landmark for both countries.
The Zambezi River is Africa's fourth-longest river, stretching approximately 2,574 kilometers from its source in northwestern Zambia to its mouth at the Indian Ocean in Mozambique. As the river flows through the plateau region, it encounters a dramatic geological fault where it plunges over a cliff edge, creating the breathtaking Victoria Falls.
The falls were named after Queen Victoria by Scottish explorer David Livingstone in 1855, though the local Kololo tribe had long called it "Mosi-oa-Tunya," meaning "The Smoke That Thunders." This indigenous name perfectly captures the essence of the falls, as the massive volume of water creates a thunderous roar and sends spray up to 400 meters into the air, visible from distances of up to 50 kilometers away.
Victoria Falls measures approximately 1,708 meters wide and drops about 108 meters at its highest point. During peak flood season, typically between February and May, the Zambezi River can carry over 5,000 cubic meters of water per second over the falls. This incredible volume of water makes Victoria Falls one of the largest waterfalls in the world by combined width and height.
The geological formation of Victoria Falls occurred over millions of years as the Zambezi River carved its path through the Batoka Plateau. The river encountered softer rock layers beneath harder basalt, gradually eroding the underlying material and creating the dramatic gorge system that exists today. This natural process continues, meaning the falls are slowly moving upstream over geological time.
Today, Victoria Falls serves as a major tourist destination and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989. The surrounding area supports diverse wildlife and vegetation, creating unique ecosystems sustained by the constant mist from the falls. The Zambezi River above and below the falls also provides opportunities for various water activities and supports local communities through fishing and agriculture.
