Where is Lake Chad? Short description

In the heart of Africa, in the most arid place on the planet, Lake Chad is located. On the map it is very easy to find it.

Briefly about the main

The history of this lake began millions of years ago, it is considered one of the few preserved to our days, relict lakes. The reservoir has no runoff, only in certain anomalous years the water in it rises and flows down the bed of the river Bahr al-Ghazal.

The area of Lake Chad is 1 350 km ² . This figure is conditional, since the reservoir dries up every year. Nevertheless, Chad is one of the largest lakes in Africa. Around him is a large number of small marshes. That is why sometimes it is difficult to find out where Lake Chad is located. After all, the map shows the already overgrown terrain.

Name

The name of the lake comes from the language of the local Aborigines Kanuri, and in translation means "big water". The state, in whose territory the part of the lake has settled, has its name in honor of him. In addition to Chad (a country on this continent), the lake is located in another 3 African countries: Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon. Lake Chad is very well illustrated on the map below.

Despite the fact that the lake is quite large by African standards, the Europeans have not known about it for a long time. Mentioned that in the heart of Africa there is a "great sea", were made by the Arabs. Only in the middle of the XIX century. English explorers crossed the Sahara and reached the shores of Chad.

What is unique?

Lake Chad (a country with this name, too, exists) is truly unique. And for that there are several reasons.

First, its location. The reservoir is in the center of the driest continent of the planet, practically at the equator. It's amazing that deserts come from all sides to the lake: from the north - the Sahara, from the south - the Sudan savannah.

Secondly, frequent changes in the volume of water. The surface of the water area is not constant: in the usual state, the area of the water mirror is 27 thousand km ² . During the rainy season, it increases to 50 thousand km ² , and in droughty weather - decreases to 11 thousand km ² . The lake is filled with water, thanks to the small rivers flowing into it. The largest of them is r. Shari (1,400 km). She, coming to the lake, forms a wide shallow delta.

Thirdly, Lake Chad in Africa is unsalted. Although due to the fact that the reservoir is drainless, and is located in the middle of the desert, it must be salty. But it is not so. In places where rivers flow into the lake, the water is freshwater. Closer to the center, it has a small salinity.

Depth and terrain features

The lake is shallow. The average depth is 1.5-2 m. During the rainy season, the maximum depth of the lake rises, reaching 11 m. Closer to the shores of the reservoir is very shallow water. The water in the lake has a dark, dirty color, in some places, strongly overgrown with algae.

Chad's coast is swampy, overgrown with papyrus and other tropical vegetation. In the eastern part of the lake there are small islets that are inhabited by some African tribes. Where there is Lake Chad, precipitation falls a little, about 200-400 mm / year.

Flora and fauna

But the flora and fauna off the coast of Chad surprises with its diversity. From the representatives of the flora you can find different types of papyrus, reed, more than 1 thousand species of various algae, a special kind of spirulina is of special value for economic activity. Lake is rich and representatives of ichthyofauna. In the waters of Chad there are 179 species of fish. Of these, 25 are endemic. Where there is Lake Chad, many different animals. Therefore, in addition to fish, you can meet crocodiles, hippopotamuses and manatees in a pond. South of the lake, in the savanna, you can find giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, elephants, lions and hyenas. Some of the animals arrange pastures closer to the shores of the reservoir.

Minerals and meaning for people

From minerals, salt and caustic soda are extracted here. Also in the late 70s of the last century, small oil fields were explored. This is due to the fact where Lake Chad is located geographically. There have always been many fossils.

The reservoir is of great economic importance for local residents. For many years they collect useful algae - spirulina. Also there is a fairly developed fishing industry.

Visit this place should all tourists who are interested in picturesque places. Lake Chad is simply charming with its landscapes.