Lake Victoria is located in East Africa and belongs to three states: Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. The area of ​​its water area is 68,000 square kilometers. The greatest depth is 80 m, and the length is 320 km. Curious facts Victoria is one of the seven Great African lakes and ranks first among the tropical freshwater reservoirs of the planet. Through the northern part of it lies the equator. Its beautiful name was given to the lake by the Englishman John Speek. Exploring the territory of Central Africa, in 1858 he discovered a magnificent pond of giant sizes, deciding that this is the beginning of the Nile. So the lake appeared in honor of the Queen Victoria of England. The Victoria-Nile River flows from the reservoir, and the full-flow Kagera flows into it. However, the main source of water is rain. In 1954, the completion of the construction of the dam Owen Falls gave a powerful impetus to the development of shipping, giving a huge number of people the opportunity to earn money. The coastal strip around the reservoir is considered to be one of the most densely populated on the earth, as it is home to over 30 million Africans. Crocodiles, hippos and a green parrot Victoria - a find for travelers, naturalists, fishermen and hunters. More than 100 species of fish live in the pond. This is the only place in the world where there is a chance to catch a rare species of it - ling. According to the scientific hypothesis, this fish has been living here for 300 million years and its species is a link in the evolutionary chain between waterfowl and animals living on the ground. The uniqueness of the Lang lies in the ability to inhale and hold the air in the gills. In the lake you can catch many other wonderful specimens, but with care. After all, there are crocodiles, and in a flash you can turn from a hunter into prey. The variety of sandy and silty soils is an excellent habitat for waterfowl, including reptiles. At one time, enterprising Africans organized a business for extremals-hunters for crocodiles and hippopotamuses, as a result, some species of waterfowl practically disappeared. There are many islands on the lake, one of which is the popular national park (Rubondo, Tanzania). Tourists come here to look at such a population of antelope as Sitatunga. It lives in many places in Africa, but it is on the island of Roubondo - its kind of special, unique beauty. It is noteworthy that there are about 500 species of birds in the park. Ornithologists are particularly interested in this place because it is possible to study the behavior of birds and their habits in natural natural conditions, which is of great value for science. Legends and myths The most common legend of the lake - the existence in it of a terrible outlandish monster, which Africans call lukvata. According to eyewitness accounts, it lives on the bottom. Near the island, pops up, attacks fishing boats and takes their catch, while leaving the fishermen themselves alive. Whether this is true or not, many people want to see the existence of lukwata. Whatever it was, Lake Victoria is a great opportunity to discover another paradise of Africa.