Physical Characteristics

Great Rift Valley

Great Rift ValleyFormed where 3 plates (Arabian, Nubian, & Somalian) are pulling away from one anotherStretches over 4000 miles from Jordan to MozambiquePlate movements have created a series of long, deep lakes as well as geysers & volcanoesServes as a rich source of the earliest human fossils

Mount KilimanjaroMeans “Shining Mountain” in SwahiliTallest free-standing mountain in the world & highest point in AfricaInactive volcanoKnown for its year-round snowed covered summitSnows have lost nearly 80% of their volume during the last centuryLoss could be devastating to those who depend on them for water

Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park, Tanzania

Morning on Mount Kilimanjaro

Lake Victoria

Lake VictoriaLargest lake in Africa, & the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the worldSource of the White NileMillions of people depend upon its waters

Victoria Falls

Victoria FallsLocated on the border between Zambia & ZimbabweLargest single sheet of water in the worldProduce a mist that typically rises to a height of 400 m & can be seen for over 30 miles

Victoria Falls