7+Victoria+Falls

Elise
 * Victoria Falls **



**__  Victoria Falls   __** Victoria Falls is, by some measures, the largest waterfall in the world. The falls are located in the middle of the Zambezi River, the fourth largest river in Africa, between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The first white man to discover the falls was David Livingstone, who named the falls after Queen Victoria. However, the natives called it “Mosi-oa-tunya” which means “Smoke that Thunders”. Victoria Falls is claimed to be the largest waterfall based on water velocity. The water drops 108 meters over a basalt basin and drops into a chasm. Since the falls are 1.7 km wide, this makes the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The falls twist and turn along with the Zambezi River giving them a very unique shape. The falls are twice as tall as Niagara Falls and well over the width of the Horseshoe Falls. Zimbabwe and Zambia have two seasons, a rainy season and a dry season. The river’s annual flood season is from February to May with a peak in April. During the flood season it is almost impossible to see the foot of the falls. Sometimes people may see a “moonbow” at night instead of a normal day rainbow. The largest sheet of falling water occurs at Victoria Falls or “Mosi-oa - tunya”. Victoria Falls is a natural wonder of the world because of its many special features such as its shape, the animals, and some amazing sights like the “moonbow”. All of these spectacles make Victoria Falls such an amazing place to visit.