Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. This waterfall is located on the Zambezi River, which at present forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
David Livingstone, Scottish explorer, visited the lake in 1855 and named it the name of Queen Victoria, while its local name is Mosi-oa-Tunya, "thundering smoke." This waterfall is part of two national parks, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia and Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This waterfall is a major tourist attraction in South Africa.Although not the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the biggest. This claim is based on the width of 1708 meters (5604 feet) high and 108 meters (354 feet), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world.
In 1904 Victoria Falls Hotel was opened to accommodate visitors who arrive at the new railway. This waterfall become increasingly popular attraction during British colonial rule Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), with the city of Victoria Falls become a major tourist center.
In 1964, Northern Rhodesia became the independent state of Zambia. The following year, Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence. It is not recognized by Zambia, the UK or most of the states and led to the UN-mandated sanctions. Responding to the crisis came, in 1966 Zambia restricted or stopped border crossings; not re-open the border completely until 1980. Guerrilla war appeared on the south side of the Zambezi 1972: Zimbabwe-Rhodesia War. The number of visitors began to fall, especially on the side (Zimbabwe) Rhodesia. The war affected Zambia through military attacks, causing the latter to implement safety measures including the placement of troops to restrict access to some parts of the canyon and waterfalls.Zimbabwe's independence in 1980 brought comparative peace, and the 1980s witnessed a new level of tourism and the development of this region as a center for adventure sports. Activities are gaining popularity in the area include whitewater rafting in the gorges, bungee jumping from bridges, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, and flights over the falls.
David Livingstone, Scottish explorer, visited the lake in 1855 and named it the name of Queen Victoria, while its local name is Mosi-oa-Tunya, "thundering smoke." This waterfall is part of two national parks, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia and Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This waterfall is a major tourist attraction in South Africa.Although not the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the biggest. This claim is based on the width of 1708 meters (5604 feet) high and 108 meters (354 feet), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world.
In 1904 Victoria Falls Hotel was opened to accommodate visitors who arrive at the new railway. This waterfall become increasingly popular attraction during British colonial rule Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), with the city of Victoria Falls become a major tourist center.
In 1964, Northern Rhodesia became the independent state of Zambia. The following year, Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence. It is not recognized by Zambia, the UK or most of the states and led to the UN-mandated sanctions. Responding to the crisis came, in 1966 Zambia restricted or stopped border crossings; not re-open the border completely until 1980. Guerrilla war appeared on the south side of the Zambezi 1972: Zimbabwe-Rhodesia War. The number of visitors began to fall, especially on the side (Zimbabwe) Rhodesia. The war affected Zambia through military attacks, causing the latter to implement safety measures including the placement of troops to restrict access to some parts of the canyon and waterfalls.Zimbabwe's independence in 1980 brought comparative peace, and the 1980s witnessed a new level of tourism and the development of this region as a center for adventure sports. Activities are gaining popularity in the area include whitewater rafting in the gorges, bungee jumping from bridges, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, and flights over the falls.
National parksTwo national parks in the waterfall is relatively small - Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is 66 square kilometers (16 309 hectares) and Victoria Falls National Park is 23 square kilometers (5683 acres). However, in addition to the latter on the south bank of the Zambezi National Park, stretching 40 kilometers (25 miles) west along the river. Animals can be moved between the two Zimbabwean parks and can also be reached Matetsi Safari Area, Kazuma Pan National Park and Hwange National Park in the south.On the side of Zambia, Livingstone fence and the edge tend to restrict most animals to the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. In addition fences put up by lodges in response to crime restrict animal movement.VegetationMopane savanna dominated forests in the area, with smaller areas of Miombo and Rhodesian Teak forest and grassland shrub. River forest with palm trees line the edges and islands above the falls. The most important aspect of vegetation in the area despite the rain forest is maintained by spray from the falls, which contains rare plants for areas such as pod mahogany, ebony, ivory palm, wild date palm and a few vines and lianas. vegetation has suffered in recent drought, and so have the animals that depend on it, especially deer.WildlifeNational parks contain abundant wildlife including sizable populations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and various antelope. Lions and leopards occasionally seen. Vervets monkeys and baboons are common. The river above the falls contains large populations of hippos and crocodiles. Elephants crossing the river in the dry season at a particular intersection point.Klipspringers and clawless otters can be glimpsed in the canyon, but they are mainly known for 35 species of raptors. The Taita Falcon, Black Eagle, Peregrine Falcon Buzzard breed there. Above the waterfall, herons and various species of waterfowl are common.FishThis river is home to 39 species of fish under waterfalls and 89 species on it. This illustrates the effectiveness of falls as a barrier of separation between the upper and lower Zambezi.
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