Natural Landmarks of the Motherland: Mosi-oa-Tunya (AKA Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe)

FEELNUBIA PRESENTS: Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria) FALLS

The Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. It is located in southern Africa between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Called Mosi-oa-Tunya by the locals, which means “the smoke that thunders” until David Livingstone the first European to view the falls, stumbled across it in 1855 and named it Victoria falls in honour of the Queen. Both names are popularly known all over the world.

The Victoria Falls has a width of 1,708 meters (5,604 ft) and a height of 108 meters (354 ft) with an average of 550,000 cubic meters of water plummet over the edge every minute forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Its source is from the Zambezi River known to be the fourth longest river in Africa, and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. The fall has two seasons, the wet season which runs from November to April leaving the rest of the month to account for the dry season. The fall’s annual flood is at its peak in the month of April with spray from the falls rising to a height of 400 meters and sometimes twice as high. The minimum flow occurs in November and is around a tenth of the April figure.

Over the years Victoria Falls has been developed to suit the purpose of being a site for tourist attraction. Presently there are two national parks, Mosi-oa-Tunya Park in Zambia and Victoria falls Park in Zimbabwe. Access to the falls can be gained either through the Zambian side which occupies two-thirds of the actual Falls along with the Livingstone Island where David Livingstone first set eyes on the falls or the Zimbabwean side which has the advantage of having the main viewing areas, sightseers and photographers can see approximately 80% of the falls as compared to about 25 to 30% from the Zambian side.

The Falls and the surrounding area are one of the seven natural wonders of the world and have been declared World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization.