Major Rivers of Africa – Exam Notes

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1. Nile River

·   Longest river in the world (~6,650 km)

·   Formed by White Nile & Blue Nile

·   Flows into the Mediterranean Sea

·   Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser are on it

2. Niger River

·    3rd longest river in West Africa

·     Originates in Guinea; flows into Gulf of Guinea

·     Also called Oil River / Palm Oil River

·     Niger Delta harbors at its mouth

3. Zambezi River

·    4th largest river in Africa

·     lows through Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique

·     Famous for Victoria Falls

·     Kariba & Cahora Bassa Dams for hydroelectric power

·     Empties into the Indian Ocean

4. Orange River

·   Longest river in South Africa

·   Originates from Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho

·   Flows into the Atlantic Ocean

5. Congo (Zaire) River

·   2nd longest river in Africa

·    Deepest river in the world

·     Crosses the Equator twice

·     Flows into the Atlantic Ocean

6. Limpopo River

·   Originates from Highveld, South Africa

·    Crosses the Tropic of Capricorn twice

·    Also called the Crocodile River

·     Flows into the Indian Ocean

7. Volta River

·    Formed by White, Red, and Black Volta

·    Akosombo Dam creates Volta Lake (largest artificial lake)

·     Flows into the Gulf of Guinea

Exam Tips:

·      Nile = Longest river

·      Congo = Deepest river

·      Zambezi = Victoria Falls

·      Volta = Largest artificial lake