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At 26,828 square miles, Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake and the world's second-largest freshwater body - extending 210 miles at its greatest length north to south, and 150 miles at its greatest width. Lying mainly in Tanzania, the remainder is split between Uganda and Kenya.
The Kagera River, on the western side, is the most important of the lake's affluents. The sources of this river in the highlands of Burundi and Rwanda are also one of the Nile's most remote sources. The only river to leave the lake is the Victoria Nile, which exits on the northern shore near Jinja in Uganda.
The Lake Victoria region is thought to be one of the most densely populated in Africa – with several million people living around its shores and taking advantage of the economic opportunities the lake has to offer.
More than 200 species of fish live in the clear waters of the lake and fishing is of vital importance to the local area. However the increase in commercial fishing for export outside the region has led to fears that the numbers of fish will eventually dwindle leaving a sparse lake with terrible ecological and economic impacts.
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| The world's second largest freshwater-body, Lake Victoria covers an expanse of 26, 828 square miles. Lying mainly in Tanzania, the lake also covers parts of Uganda and Kenya. The main affluent is the Kagera River, and the only river to leave the lake is the Victoria Nile on the northern shore near Jinja in Uganda. | |
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