Amazing & Interesting Facts About Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, also referred to as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ meaning ‘the smoke that thunders’, is a waterfall situated on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls is located approximately in the middle, along the impressive Zambezi River's 2700km journey from its starting point to the sea. David Livingstone, who discovered the falls, christened these falls in reverence of his queen, though its native name, 'Mosi-oa-Tunya', is also popular and equally acknowledged by the World Heritage List. Victoria Falls is the biggest curtain of falling water in the world and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world. In 1958, the power of the falls crossed more than 700000 cubic meters of water a minute, making it the highest ever flow documented. Victoria Falls is such a splendor of Africa that it had always been a subject of curiosity and attracted many tourists from across the world.

Amazing & Interesting Facts About Victoria Falls

The Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone was the first European to view the Victoria Falls on November 17, 1855 from the 'Livingstone Island' in Zambia, the only land reachable in the middle of the falls. He reached the very edge of the falls in a canoe rowed by the local Makalolo people.
Victoria Falls has been marked as the Greatest Falling Curtain of Water on this Planet, making it one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Though Victoria Falls is not the highest or the widest waterfall, but, with all its magnitudes considered together, including the largest flow rate, it is definitely the largest waterfall in the world, exceeding the wonderful Niagara Falls and Iguacu Falls.
The Victoria Falls was formed by a profound rift in the rock situated directly across the Zambezi River. The rift was developed around 150 million years back by the movement of the earth.
One can see the stunning Victoria Falls, filled with overwhelming beauty and magnificence, on the Zambezi River, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. In fact, according to the responses received by most of the visitors, it is believed that the Zambian side grants a much better view of the Victoria Falls than Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls are 1700m wide, 108m high and comprise of five distinctive “falls”. Four of these falls are a part of Zimbabwe and one of Zambia. The ones in Zimbabwe are called Rainbow Falls, The Devil’s Cataract, Horseshoe Falls and Main Falls while the one in Zambia is known as Eastern Cataract. The Devil’s Cataract in Zimbabwe is the lowest point of Victoria Falls; therefore most of the water flows over it.
The Zambezi basin situated on top of the falls experiences a rainy season from late November up to the beginning of April while the rest of the year, it sees a dry season. The river experiences floods between February and May, hitting the maximum in April.
The course of the river is demarcated by abundant tree-covered islands which go on increasing in number as the river moves towards the falls. There is only a flat plateau running hundreds of kilometers in every direction and no escarpments, mountains or deep valleys which might have created a waterfall.
A delightful view of columns of sprays can be enjoyed from a distance of 30 kilometers from the falls, as a gigantic mass of water falls freely over the edge of the wide basalt cliff. Due to the spray from the falls, the rainforest around Victoria Falls is the only place on earth that experiences rains all the time – 24 hours a day and 7 days a week!
The river houses 39 species of fish below the falls and 89 species above it. This shows that the Victoria Falls plays the role of a significant dividing barrier between the upper and lower levels of Zambezi.
One can also experience a moonbow at Victoria Falls during a full moon. This can be glimpsed through the spray at night, instead of during the day, as a regular rainbow. The full moonlight rainbow comprises of the same colors and curved shape as those of a day light rainbow.
When the river flow is at a safe level during the months of September to December, people can swim in a naturally created pool referred to as the ‘Devil’s Swimming Pool’ exactly on the edge of the falls. This swimming pool can be accessed from the Livingstone Island, named after David Livingstone, who found Victoria Falls. What prevents you from being washed away, over the edge despite the current, is a natural rock wall just below the water.
Victoria Falls is characterized by thrilling sounds and wonderful sights! Much before you reach the exact location of Victoria Falls, you can hear the thunder of the water freefalling!

How to Cite

Facts About Victoria Falls

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Society'