Zambezi Valley
The Zambezi (also spelled Zambesi) is the fourth-longest river in Africa, and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. The river has its source in Zambia and flows through Angola, along the borders of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia again, and Zimbabwe, to Mozambique into the Indian Ocean. It has three navigable sections but they are divided by impassable barriers. It rises in several streams in northwest Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its general course is southeast to the Victoria Falls; from here the river bends northeast and east nearly to Mozambique, when it resumes a southeasterly course to the delta.
The Zambezi’s most spectacular feature is the beautiful Victoria Falls. Other notable falls include the Chavuma Falls at the border between Zambia and Angola, and Ngonye Falls, near Sioma in Western Zambia.
There are two main sources of hydroelectric power on the river. These are the Kariba Dam, which provides power to Zambia and Zimbabwe and the Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique which provides power to both Mozambique and South Africa. There is also a smaller power station at Victoria Falls.
The chief towns on its banks are: Maramba, Chirunda, and Feira in Zambia and Zimbabawe; and Zumbo, Chicoa, Tete, Sena, Mopeia, Chinde, and Quelimane in Mozambique.
