Africa’s largest lake that’s shared by 3 countries and over 200 miles long

There are many in the world, but very few are bigger than . 

The lake is so big that it stretches across three countries and is named after . 

The lake in question is Lake Victoria, which is shared by and covers an area so big that it looks more like an inland sea than a lake.

With a surface area of 26,600 square miles, it is , the second-largest freshwater lake in the world after , and the largest tropical lake on Earth. 

Its shoreline stretches over 2,000 miles and it is home to around 1,000 islands, some of which are inhabited. 

Despite its size, it is relatively shallow, with an average depth of just 25 metres (82 feet) and a maximum depth of 80 metres (262 feet).

Lake Victoria was first documented by British explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858 during his quest to find the source of the Nile River. 

Believing he had discovered its main source, he named it after . 

The lake is a big part of the Nile’s water system, with the Victoria Nile flowing northward into Sudan and beyond. 

Over time, its waters have been harnessed for hydroelectric power, with dams such as Owen Falls (now Nalubaale) Dam and Kiira Dam providing electricity for the region.

Though the lake is estimated to be 400,000 years old, it has dried up multiple times throughout history, most recently around 17,000 years ago. 

Scientists warn that it could face another drying period within the next 500 years due to climate change, rising temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns.

This is particularly worrying as Lake Victoria plays a massive role in the livelihoods of millions of people. 

It supports the largest freshwater fishery in the world, producing over one million tonnes of fish annually and employing around 200,000 people. 

However, it has undergone significant biodiversity changes, particularly with the introduction of Nile perch, which has driven many native species to extinction. 

The lake is also home to hippos, crocodiles, clawless otters, and a diverse range of bird species.

Unfortunately, the lake faces some serious environmental challenges. Deforestation, pollution, and untreated waste from cities and farms have caused a decline in water quality. The spread of invasive species like water hyacinth has also created problems for fishing and transportation. 

And with a population of over 40 million in the Lake Victoria Basin, pressure on the lake’s resources continues to grow. 

Many communities around it lack access to clean water and sanitation, leading to high rates of waterborne diseases such as malaria, cholera, and bilharzia.

Despite all these issues, the lake is still a massive tourist attraction with hundreds of thousands of people visiting every year.