Victoria Falls
Also called: Mosi-oa-Tunya · Topic: World Physical Features and Natural Regions · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Victoria Falls is a huge waterfall on the Zambezi River, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means "the smoke that thunders", because of its spray and noise. It is about 1.7 km wide and 108 m high. This makes it one of the largest sheets of falling water in the world. The Zambezi is also dammed downstream for power.
Example
After the falls, the Zambezi flows to the Kariba Dam (Zambia-Zimbabwe border) and then to the Cahora Bassa Dam (Mozambique). Both use its water to make hydropower.
Don't confuse with
- Lake Victoria: Africa's largest lake and the main source of the White Nile. It has nothing to do with the Zambezi.
- Angel Falls (Venezuela): the world's highest waterfall. Victoria Falls is famous for its great width, not its height.