Lake Edward Size report
Lake Edward is one of the largest lakes in the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, formed by the collapse of a fault. Located on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, its northern shore is a few kilometers from the equator and is the smallest lake in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
English explorer Henry Morton Stanley visited Lake George in 1875. He believed that the lake was part of Lake Albert and named it Beatrice Gulf, after a daughter of Queen Victoria. From 1888 to 1889, Stanley traveled up the Semliki River to Lake Edward, and he named the lake in honor of Edward, Prince of Wales, and later King Edward VII of England.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, there is Virunga National Park and Queen Elizabeth (Ruwenzori) National Park on Lake Edward's shores to protect the lake area's wildlife. It is reported that there are 4000-5000 hippos in Lake Edward, accounting for about 2/3 of the total number of hippos in Uganda. This post will introduce more interesting facts about Lake Edward.
Lake Edward Introduction
Lake Edward is one of the great lakes of the Western Rift Valley in eastern Africa. Lake Edward flows north to the Semliki River and drains into Lake Albert (Lake Mobutu Sese Seko). The north and south banks of Lake Edward are lowland plains, while many cliffs on the east and west banks. Margherita Peak to the north rises 5,119 meters (16,795 feet) above sea level. It is connected to Lake George by the canal in the northeast. Lake George receives the Ruwenzori River and flows through the 32 kilometers (20 miles) Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward. The lake is fed by the Nyamugasani River, the Ishasha River, the Rutshuru River, the Ntungwe River, and the Rwindi River.
Lake Edward Size
Lake Edward lies at an elevation of 912 meters (2,992 feet); it is 77 km(48 miles) long and 42 km (26 miles) wide at its maximum points and covers a total surface area of 2,325 square kilometers (898 sq mi). On the northeast, it is connected to the smaller Lake George. The two lakes have a combined surface area of 2,500 square km (970 square miles). The lake has numerous tributaries, and its catchment area extends 12,096 square kilometers (4,670 sq mi).
Ecology
Lake Edward is home to many fish, and because of fishing is an important activity for locals. If tourists stay in the fishing village of Vihib by the lake, they can taste all kinds of fresh fish salvaged from the lake by local fishermen, including tilapia, golden squid, and African lungfish. The shoreline has a diverse fauna, where chimpanzees, elephants, crocodiles, lions, buffaloes, and hippos can be spotted. Lake Edward and its surroundings are also home to many perennial and migratory bird species. Wildlife about its shores is protected within Virunga National Park (DRC) and Queen Elizabeth (Ruwenzori) National Park in Uganda.
Final Words
Lake Edward is located in the Virunga National Park (DRC) and Queen Elizabeth (Ruwenzori) National Park; about two-thirds are in the DRC and one-third in Uganda. Besides the main Congolese settlements in the southern part of the lake are Vitshumbi and Ishango, while the Ugandan settlements are Mweya and Katwe in the northeast of the lake. A cruise is the best way to visit Lake Edward. Climb aboard and explore the wonders of the lake from a new angle. Whether you encounter energetic elephants or bathing buffaloes, you will have a memorable trip.