subject: The Extraordinary Zambezi River [print this page] There are many prominent estuaries and rivers situated around the world which are important and essential to man for a great number of years. The Zambezi is one of them and will also be the focal point of this short article. Nevertheless, how many of us think immediately of this particular waterway when we think of well known waterways?
When a person thinks of world-renowned riverine systems, the Ganges in India may come to mind, or the Nile that flows through Egypt. Perhaps it's the mighty South American Amazon that you visualize when you think about a big riverine system or the long and winding Mississippi which stretches from Lake Itasca where it originates, to New Orleans, the town in which the "good times roll". Then again, perhaps for you it is the Volga, or the Danube. Basically, the famous waterway you think of initially will probably be the one you've got the most connection to. Hence if you ask an angler who's fished in the Zambezi then this will in all probability be the river they mention because it is famed for its sportfishing opportunities, among other things.
For the rural groups that dwell on its banks, the Zambezi is a very important river indeed as it aids in supporting their existence via the fishing prospects it offers. Even though Zambezi is known throughout the world as a leading fishing location, and fishermen from all over the world journey to it for the angling experience, the indigenous folks that reside here go fishing to live rather than to indulge in the sport of angling. You might recall the true tale of Jeremy Wade, a British fisherman who caught a goliath tigerfish in the Congo River. The angler attempted to resuscitate the tigerfish so it could go on living much to the consternation of the local residents since a catch of that size possessed the ability to nourish an entire community. It is not unreasonable to believe that the situation might have been similar had this huge fish been caught in the Zambezi.
Because it is such a long waterway - the 4th longest on the African continent to be precise - the Zambezi passes through no fewer than 9 African nations on its way to the Indian Ocean at which point it runs into the Mozambique Channel. It features the remarkable Victoria Falls that can be viewed from either Zimbabwean or Zambian soil subject to which edge of the falls you are on. 2 dams, the Kariba and the Cahora Bassa are used to supply a range of African countries with hydroelectric energy. Naturally, the Zambezi is also residence to a range of wildlife and plants both on the banks and in its water.
That being said, this spectacular body of water is far more than a set of coordinates with a size and breadth set down on paper inside a Geography textbook. It's a constantly flowing life force that is as awe-inspiring as it's beautiful and needs to be witnessed with the human eye for its magnificence to be fully comprehended. Irrespective of whether we privately view a body of water like the Zambezi as life sustaining, a good site to fish, a natural wonder of remarkable beauty or even as a geographical coordinate, it needs to be seen to be understood.
For more information on the Zambezi, go to http://www.sekoma.co.za
