Zambezi
The Zambezi (also spelled Zambeze and Zambesi) is the fourth-longest river in Africa, the longest east-flowing river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. Its drainage basin covers 1,390,000 km2 (540,000 sq mi), slightly less than half of the Nile's. The 2,574 km (1,599 mi) river rises in Zambia and flows through eastern Angola, along the north-eastern border of Namibia and the northern border of Botswana, then along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe to Mozambique, where it crosses the country to empty into the Indian Ocean.
| Zambezi River Zambesi, Zambeze | |
|---|---|
The Zambezi River at the junction of Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana | |
| Nickname(s) | Besi |
| Location | |
| Countries | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Main stem source. Zambezi Source National Forest |
| • location | Ikelenge District, North-Western Province, Zambia |
| • coordinates | 11°22′11″S 24°18′30″E |
| • elevation | 1,500 m (4,900 ft) |
| 2nd source | Most distant source of the Zambezi-Lungwebungu system |
| • location | Moxico Municipality, Moxico Province, Angola |
| • coordinates | 12°40′34″S 18°24′47″E |
| • elevation | 1,440 m (4,720 ft) |
| Mouth | Indian Ocean |
• location | Zambezia Province and Sofala Province, Mozambique |
• coordinates | 18°34′14″S 36°28′13″E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 2,574 km (1,599 mi) |
| Basin size | 1,390,000 km2 (540,000 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Zambezi Delta, Indian Ocean |
| • average | (Period: 1971–2000)4,296.5 m3/s (151,730 cu ft/s) (Period: 1962–2002)4,134.7 m3/s (146,020 cu ft/s) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Marromeu, Mozambique (Basin size: 1,377,492 km2 (531,853 sq mi) |
| • average | (Period: 1998–2022)4,217 m3/s (148,900 cu ft/s)
(Period: 1971–2000)4,256.1 m3/s (150,300 cu ft/s) (Period: 1960–1962)3,424 m3/s (120,900 cu ft/s) |
| • minimum | (Period: 1998–2022)1,378 m3/s (48,700 cu ft/s) 920 m3/s (32,000 cu ft/s) |
| • maximum | (Period: 1998–2022)11,291 m3/s (398,700 cu ft/s) 18,600 m3/s (660,000 cu ft/s) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Cahora Bassa Dam (Basin size: 1,068,422.8 km2 (412,520.3 sq mi) |
| • average | (Period: 1971–2000)2,653.9 m3/s (93,720 cu ft/s) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Kariba Dam (Basin size: 679,495.9 km2 (262,354.8 sq mi) |
| • average | (Period: 1971–2000)1,313.6 m3/s (46,390 cu ft/s) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Victoria Falls (Basin size: 521,315.5 km2 (201,281.0 sq mi) |
| • average | (Period: 1971–2000)1,066 m3/s (37,600 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Zambezi Basin |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Kabompo, Kafue, Luangwa, Capoche, Shire |
| • right | Luena, Lungwebungu, Luanginga, Chobe, Gwayi, Sanyati, Panhane, Luenha |
The Zambezi's most noted feature is Victoria Falls. Its other falls include the Chavuma Falls at the border between Zambia and Angola, and Ngonye Falls near Sioma in western Zambia.
The two main sources of hydroelectric power on the river are the Kariba Dam, which provides power to Zambia and Zimbabwe, and the Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique, which provides power to Mozambique and South Africa. Additionally, two smaller power stations are along the Zambezi River in Zambia, one at Victoria Falls and the other in Zengamina, near Kalene Hill in the Ikelenge District.