13/11/2022
Ariel view of "Mosi oa-Tunya" ("the smoke that thunders") popularly known as Victoria Falls. It is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe
Here Are Top Ten Interesting Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Mosi oa-Tunya
1) IT IS THE LARGEST WATERFALL IN THE WORLD
It is the world's largest waterfall. It is twice the height of North America’s Niagara Falls, and is only rivalled by Iguazu Falls in South America. It is 108m tall and 1708m wide.
2) Mosi oa-Tunya IS PART OF THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
The Zambezi River is the fourth-largest in the African continent and spans across six different nations – its amazing journey spans an impressive 2,700 km. Along the way, you can see a range of wildlife animals. Mosi oa-Tunya is the boundary dividing the upper and middle parts of the Zambezi.
3) IT IS FOUND IN TWO NATIONAL PARKS
Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to part of Victoria Falls and is named so because “Mosi-Oa-Tunya” means “the smoke that thunders” – a perfect description of the sound the waterfall makes.
4) ITS ENGLISH NAME WAS CHOSEN BY DAVID LIVINGSTONE, A BRITISH EXPLORER
In 1855, British explorer and Christian Missionary, David Livingstone was the first European to visit the waterfall. He the named it after the British monarch at the time, Queen Victoria hence the name ‘Victoria Falls.’ While the original name of the waterfall is Mosi-Oa-Tunya, the Zambian and Zimbabwean governments are yet to rename the waterfall to its original traditional name.
5) YOU CAN SEE THE FALLS FROM TWO COUNTRIES
75% of the Falls can be seen from the Zimbabwean side, while the remaining 25% is visible from the Zambian side.
6) IT IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S SEVEN NATURAL WONDERS
The seven natural wonders of the world are Mosi oa-Tunya, Aurora Borealis, the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, and Parícutin.
7) 500 MILLION LITRES OF WATER CASCADE EVERY MINUTE
Every minute the waterfall produces 500 million liters of water - that’s the equivalent of 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools, to put things into perspective. It flows at a rate of 1088m3/s.
8) THE FALLS CREATE “MOONBOWS”
A moonbow is a special and unique phenomenon which only occurs in two places around the world, with Mosi oa-Tunya being one of them.
9) IT RAINS AT Mosi oa-Tunya RAINFOREST ALL DAY
On the Zimbabwe side of the Falls you will find the Mosi oa-Tunya Rainforest, which is the only place on earth to see rain every single day of the year. The rains bless the area with lush greenery in the forest, and it’s recommended that visitors explore it as well.
10) PLENTY OF WILD ANIMALS CALL IT HOME
If you’re venturing on out to Mosi oa-Tunya, be cautious (and pack a camera). You will be entering into the natural habitat of an abundance of animals, including many of the continent’s elusive “Big Five”.
