Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

Posted May 28, 2024 by Jan
Zimbabwe

Please click on the image for photos of Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls

Town of Victoria Falls

Reepublic of Zimbabwe

May 28, 2024

Hello,

Here are some facts about Victoria Falls: *

1. Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world

Victoria Falls is neither the widest nor highest waterfall in the world, but it’s the world’s largest sheet of falling water. It is twice the height of North America’s Niagara Falls, and is only rivalled by Iguazu Falls in South America. It is 108m tall (354 ft) and 1708m wide (5604 ft).

2. Victoria Falls is part of the Zambezi River

The Zambezi River is the fourth-largest river in the African continent.  the river spans across six different nations – its journey runs 2,700 km (1678 mi). Victoria Falls is the boundary dividing the upper and middle parts of the Zambezi.

3. Victoria Falls is located in Two National Parks

Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to part of Victoria Falls and is named so because “Mosi-Oa-Tunya” means “the smoke that thunders” – a perfect analogy for these awe-inspiring waters. Victoria Falls is also found in Victoria Falls National Park.

4.  Victoria Falls English Name was chosen by David Livingstone
 
In 1855, British explorer and missionary David Livingstone was the first European to witness the  Falls.  He named it for the British monarch at the time, Queen Victoria. While many places have reverted to their indigenous names, the local people had so much respect for Livingstone that ithe name has remained unchanged.
 
5. Victoria Falls is one of the World's Seven Natural Wonders
 
The seven natural wonders of the world are Victoria Falls, Aurora Borealis, the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, and Parícutin.
 
 
6.  Victoria Falls - 500 million litres of water cascade every minute
 
The numbers are impossible to imagine! That’s the equivalent of 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It flows at a rate of 1088 cubic meters per second. (1423 cubic yards per second)
 
* Thanks to Matt Wise, Senior Africa Travel Designer
 

 

 
 
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