Why does Lake Chad change its shape throughout the year? Why does the tropical zone occupy a much smaller area in South Africa than in North Africa? Why does Lake Chad and Great Bear Lake change shape throughout the year?
“On the mysterious Lake Chad, in the midst of centuries-old baobab trees, carved feluccas are striving at the dawn of the majestic Arabs,” wrote the poet N. Gumilyov about the African lake. That's right, little has changed over the past 100 years, only the lake itself, dramatically changing its appearance throughout the year, is becoming smaller and soon threatens to disappear altogether. “Mysterious” Chad either spreads over thousands of square kilometers, then shrinks to completely small sizes. Even today, science cannot firmly answer why the water level in the lake changes for no apparent reason.
RELIC SEA IN THE CENTER OF AFRICA
Lake Chad is the fourth largest in Africa after Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi. Only 10% of the moisture enters the lake in the form of precipitation. About 90% of the water comes from the Shari River flowing into the lake.
The lake is located in a tectonic depression. Over millions of years, the lowland was filled with sediment and water. The climate changed, became hotter, and the water surface area gradually decreased.
There are many secrets here that have not yet been solved. And the lake itself became known to Europeans relatively recently. In Europe, they learned about it from the words of the Arab travelers Ibn Battuta (XIV century) and Leo Africanus (XVI century), and considered their reports about the “sea” among the sands to be empty tales.
Only in 1823, the Scottish traveler Hugh Clapperton first walked 2 thousand km along the sands from the Mediterranean Sea to Lake Chad. Clapperton's expedition discovered such a huge expanse of water in the middle of the sands that it was unable to draw even an approximate map. The merit of the traveler was that he confirmed the existence of a large lake south of the great desert and accurately recorded its coordinates.
Thirty years later, the German scientist Heinrich Barth visited here. An overgrown swampy pond appeared before his eyes; only here and there was a free one visible water surface.
Another twenty years passed, and in 1871 the level of the lake rose again, and its waters destroyed the city of Ngagmi, which had stood on the northern shore for several centuries.
Chad remains the only large body of water in Central Africa, despite the constant fluctuation (every twenty to thirty years) of the lake's water level. Because of this, the lake does not have clear outlines, sometimes increasing to 26 thousand km2 and becoming the twelfth largest in the world, sometimes shrinking to 1/10 of its original size. Natural cycles in water level fluctuations are observed: maximum in August, minimum in January and February. In addition to natural reasons, there are also human ones: residents of the banks of the Shari River - the largest of the rivers feeding the lake - take too much river water for irrigation, which has already led to a sharp reduction in the area of the lake. In addition, the bottom of the lake is constantly rising, as silt, sand and lake mud are layered on it.
The lake is devoid of river flow. The water evaporates and seeps into the sandy soil. With such a water regime, and in a hot climate, the lake should be very salty. But Chad's water is practically fresh, and you can drink it without fear of consequences.
It turns out that the lake’s water is fresh only in the upper layers, and is brackish at the bottom. Fresh water in the form of river and rainwater, entering the lake, does not mix with salt water, but remains at the top. But why isn't the salt water growing?
900 km northeast of Chad is the Bodélé Basin, located 80 meters below lake level. An underground water flow leads to it from the lake - under the bed of the dry Bahr el-Ghazal river. This is how the salty bottom waters constantly leave the lake.
Lake Chad is home to many species of animals. Millions of migratory birds, including flamingos and pelicans, flock here from Europe and Western Asia. Particularly abundant fauna Chad in the summer-autumn period, when the savannas in the south and southeast are covered with lush vegetation, and green crowns of acacias and baobabs are visible above the tall grasses.
It is home to zebras, antelopes, giraffes, ostriches, dik-diks, warthogs, crocodiles, elephants and rhinoceroses. In the east of the lake there are herds of hippopotamuses of forty to fifty heads. The symbol of Chad is the water antelope: an animal the size of a dog that lives in reeds and eats fish.
A rare species of aquatic mammal, the manatee, is on the verge of extinction and remains a target of hunting for the local population. It is not clear how this sea animal ended up in a fresh lake, and even in the center of Africa.
Can't find a pair geographical maps, in which Lake Chad would have absolutely similar outlines. Due to continuous drought, the lake's surface area has decreased significantly: in 2006, the lake shrank 26 times and continues to dry out. Another consequence of the drought is the division of the lake into several small lakes. If the drought continues, the lake will dry up right up to the mouth of the Shari River, which supplies the bulk of the water entering the lake.
LAKE PEOPLE
In the 1930-40s, traces of an ancient culture were found in the Lake Chad area, dating back several centuries BC.
Most notable archaeological finds were made on the southern shores of Lake Chad: where the Kotoko tribes now live. Many years ago, the culture of the Sao people originated here. The Arabs gave it this name. As for the Kotoko themselves, they claim that they have no name at all, but should be called “people who came out of the water.”
The huts of the Kotoko tribe are located in that. the order in which the constellations patronizing individual families were lined up. The houses are located on a periodically flooded plain. When the water rises high and floods houses, Kotoko live in boats, traveling between the rare islands. These trips are risky: strong winds often blow here and one-and-a-half meter waves rise in shallow waters, capsizing even local police boats.
But the water goes away, and then the Kotoko return to their homes in order to have time to cultivate the land, on which a thick layer of fertile silt remains. The Kotoko sow mainly wheat.
It would be a big mistake to think that it was impossible to create a full-fledged state in these places. Bornu, or Borno, is a medieval state with an area of approx. 250 thousand km2, known to the Arabs since the 14th century, which once existed on the shores of Lake Chad and was created by the Kanuri tribes who migrated to the lake from the east. The population was engaged in slave and cattle trade. Cowrie shells served as money: 4 thousand shells were equal to one Maria Theresa thaler. IN early XIX V. The French destroyed Bornu's army, and the state itself was divided between England, France and Germany. Only the name Borno has been preserved: this is the name of one of the northern states of Nigeria.
Despite the fickle nature of the lake and the hot climate with a small amount precipitation, the nature here is rich and unique. The western shores, where the water has receded to the maximum distance, are overgrown with savannahs and dry woodlands. The southern coast is swampy and covered with floodplain forests. The soils here are suitable for agriculture, and therefore this is where cultivated land is concentrated. The coastline in the north and east is thoroughly indented and is an extremely intricate labyrinth of shallow lagoons and bays, sandbanks and islets.
The life of 30 million people living on the shores and in the surrounding area depends on the existence of Lake Chad. But the life of the lake itself is under threat.
Intensive deforestation on the banks of the Shari and its tributaries, and large-scale construction of irrigation canals have led to the fact that the Shari is no longer able to feed Chad. In addition, during the flood period, Shari washes sand and clay from the banks, carrying them straight into the lake.
Statistics on the rise and fall of water show that in the 20th century. its level has never reached the heights noted in past centuries. If the lake really disappears, the consequences will be terrifying: all the wells northeast of Chad, where groundwater is fed by lake moisture, will dry up. The population is at risk of death or displacement, and Chad's unique wildlife will disappear.
There are several projects to return the lake to its previous fullness. One of them is the creation of the “Congo Sea”: a giant reservoir at Livingston Falls. After the construction of the dam, the largest tributary of the Congo, the Oubangi River, will flow in the opposite direction and connect through the canal to the Chad basin. In this case, according to calculations, a body of water the size of half the Mediterranean Sea will appear in place of Lake Chad.
FUN FACTS
■ In Lake Chad, ordinary algae grow poorly; carbon dioxide and sunlight are consumed by the predominant species - spirulina (blue-green algae). The biomass of spirulina doubles in three to four days, so the coast of Chad is covered in some places with a thick layer of it. Local residents have been eating it for a long time, because spirulina contains a lot of vitamins, microelements, fatty acids and squirrel.
■ The Kanuri language is spoken approx. 4 million people living in the lowlands of Lake Chad. The Kanuri language is the main language of the extinct Kamem (Kanem) and Bornu empires, which existed in the Lake Chad region for a thousand years before European colonization.
■ Women of the Sira tribe still maintain the custom of deforming various parts of the body for decoration, for example, inserting round plates or plates with a diameter of up to 40 cm into their lips
■ The lungfish protoptera (length - 1 m, weight - 4 kg), living in Lake Chad, survives the dry season, burrowing into the ground and hibernating for up to four years. When catching protopters, the local population of Sudan uses a drum whose sounds imitate raindrops. The deceived protopters wake up and crawl out of their nests.
■ Crocodiles and hippos, endangered species of Lake Chad, as well as colonies of birds live on floating islands, which are collections of algae and reeds.
■ Freshwater fish live in the upper (fresh) layer of water in Lake Chad, and those that entered the lake in ancient times sea fish stay near the bottom.
ATTRACTIONS
■ Petroglyphs and fossils from dry areas of Lake Chad (National Museum of Chad, N'Djamena);
■ Unique flora and fauna;
■ Kotoko villages on the shores of the lake.
Atlas. The whole world is in your hands No. 84
By the word “lake” we all imagine a round body of water surrounded by a shoreline. There are different lakes: quiet and romantic, cold and muddy, deep and large, on which ships sail and the waves rage no less than in the sea.
So, the hit parade of the largest lakes in the world:
1. The largest lake in the world by area is rightfully called Caspian. Thanks to its enormous size, it received the status of a sea. Its area is more than 370 thousand square kilometers, but the maximum depth is small - 1025 meters. The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of Asia and Europe, surrounded by several countries - Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Russia. However, despite its large area and the presence of salt water, the Caspian Sea is considered a lake. It is into this lake that the largest river in Europe, the Volga, flows. The Caspian Sea brings quite good profits to nearby countries due to the large number of gas and oil fields.
2.
The deepest, cleanest lake on the planet - Baikal.
Its length is 620 km, and its width ranges anywhere from 31 to 75 kilometers. But the pride of Baikal is the underwater Olkhon gorge, where the depth is 1940 m. The volume of fresh water is 2300 cubic kilometers. Baikal is one of the oldest fresh water bodies in the world. It was formed by the movement of tectonic plates. The coastal areas of the lake are distinguished by a unique diversity of fauna and flora. 
Baikal is located in a basin; it is surrounded on all sides by hills and mountains. The western coast is steep, rocky, the eastern coast is more gentle, even, and in some places the mountains recede several tens of kilometers. 
Baikal is covered with ice most of the year - from mid-January to early March, so ships sail here from May-June until September.
3.
Rounding out the top three on the hit parade is lake superior, which is the deepest, largest and coldest of the Great Lakes. 
Also, concurrently, it occupies the status of the largest freshwater lake in the whole world. The Lake Superior basins were carved out in the southern part of the crystalline rocks of the Canadian Shield and were formed as a result of numerous tectonic movements, glacial and pre-glacial river erosion. This body of water has changed its shape several times throughout its existence. The northern part of the coastline of the entire group of lakes is dissected, the shores and islands are steep and rocky, but extremely picturesque. The level of Lake Superior is artificially adjusted for energy and shipping purposes.
4.
The fourth place is rightfully occupied by the lake Victoria, which is located in East Africa and is the largest lake on this continent. 
Its waters wash the shores of three countries - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In 1858, Victoria was discovered by the English traveler John Speke, and it was he who gave it the name in honor of his queen. The lake covers an area of 68 thousand square kilometers, its length is 320 km, and its greatest width from edge to edge is 275 km. 
Victoria, like its predecessors, is navigable, and local residents are heavily involved in fishing. The northern part of the coast crosses the equator. The maximum depth of the lake is not very great - about 80 m, but it is considered quite deep. Victoria receives the bulk of its water not from its tributaries, but from rains.
5.
The African sister of Baikal is confidently in fifth place - Tanganyika.
This lake is very ancient in origin and very large. In terms of depth and volume, Tanganyika follows immediately after its brother. It belongs to four states - Tanzania, Congo, Burundi and Zambia. Its depth is 1470 meters, which is about 650 meters below ocean level. 
The waters of Tanganyika are unusually clean and transparent, the water surface can be so quiet and smooth that the lake can be confused with a mirror. The fauna is extremely diverse: over four hundred various types fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and almost 300 species cannot be found anywhere else on our planet. But marine animals live only in the upper layers, the thickness of which is about 250 meters. 
6.
- the fourth lake in the world in terms of its size. 
This body of water is located in both Canada and the USA. It also belongs to the group of North American Great Lakes. Huron is located slightly east of Michigan and is connected by the Minak Strait. Geographically, these lakes are two separate bodies of water, but from a hydrographic point of view they formed a single system. 
Huron covers an area of 59.6 thousand square meters. km, the height of its surface above sea level is 176 m, and the depth in some places is 230 m. The name of this lake comes from an Indian tribe, and was introduced into use by the French. Huron has the most big island among the fresh water on the planet - Manitoulin. 
7.
Michigan takes the next place in our ranking. 
This body of water, like Huron, belongs to the Great Lakes and is the only representative of this group that is located entirely in the United States. 
Michigan borders four states. The area of this reservoir is 57.75 thousand square kilometers. The length from coast to coast is over 500 km, and the width is about 190 kilometers, but in depth it is a shallow lake, at its deepest point about 280 m. Michigan is located 177 meters above sea level. The reservoir is covered with ice for only four months of the year, so navigation on its territory is quite developed. The lake was discovered in 1634 by the Frenchman Jean Nicolet. 
8.
The eighth place in our hit parade belongs to Aral Sea.
This drainless lake with salty waters is located in Central Asia on the border of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Since the 1960s, sea levels have been rapidly declining due to the withdrawal of water from rivers flowing into the lake for irrigation purposes. 
In fact, the reservoir split into two others - the Big (South) and Small (Northern) Aral Sea. Until this time, the lake ranked fourth in the world. According to scientists, if water intake is stopped, the level of the Aral Sea will recover within 200 years. The area of the Aral Sea is about 34 thousand square meters. m., the length between the farthest points is 429 km, and its depth is 71 m. 
9.
Great Bear Lake located on the 9th step in the ranking of the largest lakes on the planet. 
It is located at 185 meters above sea level, between 118 - 123 degrees west longitude and 65 - 67 degrees north latitude, on the Arctic Circle. Great Bear Lake is the largest in Canada and the fourth largest on the mainland. 
10.
The lake closes our ranking of the largest lakes in the world. , located simultaneously in Mozambique, Malawi, Africa and Tanzania. 
Its area is small compared to previous reservoirs and amounts to 30.8 thousand square meters. km. In the northern part, where the bottom lies below sea level, its depth reaches 706 m. Nyasa is rich in steep, rocky and high banks, especially in the northeast. The southern shores of the lake are framed by a narrow strip of plain. The reservoir is extremely rich in fish; hippos, crocodiles, and waterfowl are also found here. 
Nyasa is sometimes called the birthplace of aquarium fish. The lake is characterized by storms and surf, which greatly complicate navigation, so passengers are transported exclusively during the daytime. 
We got acquainted with a dozen lakes that, to one degree or another, surprise and fascinate. Many - for their scale and depth, some - for their flora and fauna. But in order for the lakes to continue to delight and attract, they need to be preserved, protected and not destroy the fragile nature of our planet.
© Inga Korneshova article written specifically for the website website 
It's incredible on ours beautiful planet there are a huge variety beautiful places nature. The mystery of some of them has not yet been fully solved; they frighten with their desert silence, centuries-old trees and thousand-year-old stones. Travelers, tourists and just vacationers have long trodden the path to others. All the paths there have been studied for a long time, every stone has been photographed and the path has been concreted...
Among all the natural phenomena in separate category lakes can be distinguished. They are not as huge as the sea, not as fast as the river, but there is something special in their magical beauty and mysterious silence. It attracts you to these places like a magnet and doesn’t want to let you go back. In this collection you can see the 10 largest lakes in the world, which at the same time are simply fabulously beautiful, and you will learn interesting facts about them.
Caspian Sea
Despite its inaccurate name, it is the largest lake on our planet. It is located at the junction of Europe and Asia, and received its name because of its enormous size. The shape of the Caspian Sea resembles the Latin letter S. The length of the coastline of the Caspian Sea is almost 7,000 kilometers. Its maximum depth is 1,025 meters. In this regard, it is second only to Baikal.
Victoria
This lake is the third largest in the world in general and the second largest freshwater lake. It is located simultaneously in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. British explorer John Henning Speke discovered this lake in 1858 and named it in honor of Queen Victoria. The area of the reservoir is 68 thousand square meters. km, length 320 km, maximum width 275 km. The northern coast of this lake crosses the equator. Victoria's surrounding area is home to 30 million people.
Michigan
The area of this North American lake is approximately 57,750 square meters. km. It is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the United States. It is covered with ice for about four months of the year. The states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin have access to the lake.
Huron
One of the North American Great Lakes, which is located simultaneously in the USA and Canada. It is located just north of Lake Michigan, and is connected to it by the Strait of Mackinac. The area of Huron is approximately 59.6 thousand km. square (the second largest area among the Great Lakes). This lake is bordered by the state of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario. The name of the reservoir was given by the French after one of the Indian tribes.
Upper
The largest, coldest and deepest of the North American Great Lakes, the second largest in the world, the largest freshwater lake in the world. The origin of Lake Superior is associated with the melting of the ice sheet, the retreat of which formed a number of large reservoirs that changed their shape many times.
Aral Sea
This salt lake in Central Asia, on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Over the past few decades, the water level in it has been constantly decreasing due to the constant intake of water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for the purpose of irrigation. Water flowing from the fields into the beds of these two rivers has caused the deposit of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals on the bottom of the lake. Dust storms raise and spread chemicals to long distances. Therefore, local residents suffer greatly from respiratory and other diseases.
Tanganyika
A large lake located in Central Africa. It was discovered in 1858 by English travelers R. Burton and J. Speke. The shores of the reservoir unite four countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi. The area of the lake reaches 34 thousand km. sq. Its shore consists mainly of rocks. The lake is home to hippopotamuses and crocodiles, the local population engages in fishing, and shipping is developed. Living organisms are found in this lake only up to 200 meters deep, and beyond that the water is saturated with concentrated hydrogen sulfide.
Baikal
The deepest lake on our planet. It is located in Southern Siberia and is of tectonic origin. The lake and the area around it are unique in the number and diversity of its flora and fauna. More than half of this lake is covered with ice. Baikal is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges.
Great Bear Lake
The largest lake in Canada, which is located in the Arctic Circle. It drains into the Mackenzie River. In the vicinity of the reservoir you can see incredibly beautiful paintings.
Nyasa
This lake is simultaneously located in Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi. Its area is approximately 30.8 thousand km. sq., and the depth is up to 706 m. The shores are very high and rocky. This reservoir is very rich in fish, and it is also home to crocodiles, hippos, and various waterfowl have chosen the shores.
a) Central South America;
B) Southern and Central parts; c) narrowed Southern part mainland.
2) the length of the Amazon River is: a) 5971 km; 6) 6437 km; c) 6537 km.
3) In the Amazonian lowland there is a unique in its size and degree
moisturizing natural complex of the Amazon. Which of the above reasons does not affect
its formation:
A) flatness of the territory;
B) penetration of trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean into the interior of the continent
B) position in equatorial latitudes;
D) the cold Peruvian Current along the Pacific coast.
4) The South American coast was mapped in the 16th-11th centuries.
mainly thanks to swimming:
A) English; b) Spaniards; c) Portuguese.
5) The relief of South America is dominated by plains, but unlike Africa here:
A) lowlands prevail; b) hills and plateaus predominate;
C) lowlands and plateaus occupy approximately equal areas
6) The most important distinctive feature geographical location South America
from Africa and Australia is that the South American continent:
A) crosses the equator;
B) is washed by the waters of two oceans - the Pacific and the Atlantic;
7) The Guiana Plateau is formed mainly by:
A) sedimentary cover of the ancient platform;
B) protrusions of the ancient crystalline foundation of the platform
C) an area of new folding.
8) The Andes stretch: a) along the eastern coast; b) along the western
coast; c) from west to east of South America.
9) The largest alpine lake in the Andes:
A) Cotopaxi; b) Titicaca; c) Chimborazo.
10) Moist equatorial forests in S.A. are called: a) hylea; b) jungle; V)
Selva.
11) Descendants from marriages of Indians with blacks are: a) sambo; b) mulattoes; c) mestizos.
12) South America located on the territory of several climatic zones.
The largest area on the continent is occupied by: a) equatorial;
B) subequatorial; c) tropical climate zone.
13) The Amazon forests are the center of snakes. A giant water boa constrictor lives here:
A) anaconda; b) mamba; c) viper.
14. The main sources of moisture in the Atacama Desert are:
A) precipitation; b) fogs; c) groundwater.
15) Tropical deserts occupy a smaller area in South America than in Africa
or Australia. This is explained by the fact that:
A) a significant part of the continent is occupied by humid equatorial forests;
B) South America has a smaller extent from west to east in the tropical
belt;
C) South America has a large extent from north to south.
Help if anyone can, I want to pass the test normally, please help!!!1. What are the coordinates of the easternmost point of Africa?
A) 16° S 3°E
B) 10° N 51°E
B) 51° N 11 east
D) 16° N 3° W
2. What conclusion can be drawn about the climate of Africa based on the fact that the continent is crossed by the equator and both tropics?
3. Which researcher contributed great contribution to the study of Africa - discovered Victoria Falls, studied Lake Nyasa?
4. What is located north of the East African Plateau?
5. In southern and eastern Africa more than in northern:
6. In the subequatorial zone of the Northern Hemisphere in Africa, precipitation falls:
7. In the tropical latitudes of southern Africa, more precipitation falls along the east coast than along the west, because there:
8. The deepest river in Africa, deep throughout the year, does not form a delta, this is: A) Nile, B) Congo C) Zambezi D) Niger
9.Which lake is Africa's deepest?
10.What plant or animal is not typical for the savannah zone?
12.What peoples live in northern Africa?
13.Which country in Africa is the largest in terms of population?
A) Egypt B) South Africa C) Algeria D) Nigeria
2) What is the absolute altitude of the territories of most countries in South Africa?
3) Where are the lowlands located in South Africa? Mountains?
4) In the basins of which rivers and oceans is South Africa located?
A) 1 B) 2 C)3 D)4
2. What are the coordinates of the easternmost point of Africa?
A) 16° S 3°E
B) 10° N 51°E
B) 51° N 11 east
D) 16° N 3° W
3. What type of climate is indicated by shading on the map?
A) Subequatorial
B) Tropical desert
B) Tropical humid
D) Equatorial
4. Which country is indicated on the map by a contour line?
A) Congo
B) Egypt
B) Somalia
D) Ethiopia
5. What conclusion can be drawn about the climate of Africa based on the fact that the continent is crossed by the equator and both tropics?
A) Africa receives large amounts of heat all year round
B) Africa is in the zone of trade winds
C) Africa has tropical and equatorial climate zones
D) All of the above conclusions
6. Which researcher made a great contribution to the study of Africa - discovered Victoria Falls, studied Lake Nyasa?
A) Vasco da Gama B) V.V. Junker B) D. Livingston D) N.I. Vavilov
7. What is located north of the East African Plateau?
A) Cape Mountains B) Drakensberg Mountains C) Mount Kilimanjaro D) Ethiopian Highlands
8. In southern and eastern Africa more than in northern:
A) Oil B) Phosphorites C) Uranium ores D) Gas
9. In the subequatorial zone of the Northern Hemisphere in Africa, precipitation falls:
A) Throughout the year B) in summer C) In winter D) In September and March
10. In the tropical latitudes of southern Africa, more precipitation falls along the east coast than along the west, because there:
A) humid equatorial air masses act
B) cold currents cool the air and promote the formation of precipitation
B) Monsoons occur in the southern hemisphere in summer.
D) Trade winds bring moist air from the Indian Ocean
11. The deepest river in Africa, deep throughout the year, does not form a delta, it is:
A) Nile, B) Congo C) Zambezi D) Niger
12. Which lake is the deepest in Africa?
A) Victoria B) Nyasa C) Tanganyika D) Chad
13. What plant or animal is not typical for the savannah zone?
A) Hippopotamus B) Gorilla C) Acacia D) Baobab
14. What peoples live in northern Africa?
A) Arab peoples B) Bushmen C) Negroids D) Pygmies
15. Which country in Africa is the largest in terms of population?
A) Egypt
B) South Africa
B) Algeria
D) Nigeria
Lake Chad is the only large body of water of its kind located in Central Africa, as well as one of the most significant and famous attractions. The lake is located in the west of the republic, near the lands of Shari. By the way, it is worth noting that these waters are today the most ancient springs in Africa, due to which the republic received its current name. Chad is considered one of the most volatile lakes in the entire world. This can be done based on the fact that the lakes are constantly changing their external outlines, sometimes expanding in length, sometimes losing width, sometimes shrinking to unimaginable sizes, sometimes, on the contrary, increasing tens of times. The lake has no external drains, the waters are slightly salty and not intended for drinking, people can only have a good time here beach holiday and have a good swim. The maximum depth here is only eleven meters. The territory of the lake today is one of the richest territories of the Chadian Republic, because it is here that an unimaginable accumulation of wildlife is collected, which is rarely seen in such arid regions. Numerous vegetation grows around the lake, which annually serves as a home and cozy corner for thousands of different animals and birds. Today the waters serve for local residents, to a greater extent, as a source of seafood and a territory for fishing. It is no secret that at least over fifty species of marine life live here.
The Shari River with its tributary Logone carries its waters into Lake Chad. Fluctuations in water flow in the river are quite significant. At N'Djamena, near the confluence of Logone, the Shari in early June has a width of 84 m, but when it floods in November, its width reaches 600 m.
The Shari is rightfully considered one of the most fish-rich rivers on earth. The largest fish, called captain, can reach two meters in length and weigh 80 kg, and it also has a very delicate taste. According to Nachtigall, the influx of water through rain and rivers is 100 cubic meters. km, and the loss of water through evaporation is 70 cubic meters. km. Due to the absence of a visible source of water from the lake, while the water of the lake remains fresh, Nachtigall suggests the existence of an underground channel in the northeast direction to the Aegean and Borku. Near the river mouths the water in the lake is fresh, in the rest of the lake it is slightly brackish; the insignificance of mineralization is apparently explained by the constant change of water in the lake due to the underground outflow of infiltration waters. In a very rainy season (which happens extremely rarely), with unusually high levels of the water's edge, a temporary surface runoff of the lake is formed in the northeast (along the dry bed of Bahr el-Ghazal). The dark, dirty water of the lake is thickly overgrown with algae in places. From July to November, under the influence of rains, the water level gradually rises and the low southwestern coast is widely flooded almost to Cook. Over a considerable area, the lake is very shallow (you can wade across it on horseback); The western part near Ngornu and Maduari is distinguished by great depth. The maximum depth during the rainy season is 11 meters. The banks are mostly marshy and overgrown with papyrus; to the northeast the area has the character of a steppe, and only the southern coast is distinguished by rich tropical vegetation.
In the eastern part, the lake is covered with a network of islands (up to 100 in number), of which the Buduma, Karka and Kuri groups are inhabited (up to 30 thousand people) by people from neighboring tribes (Buduma, Kuri, Kanemba, Kanuri, Bulala and Datsa).
In 2006, the lake with an area of 23 thousand square kilometers, located on the borders of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, shrank 26 times and continues to dry out, which became known thanks to Earth monitoring carried out by the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation system. It is known that Chad is drying out for the seventh time in the last millennium. Scientists-paleontologists established this from the remains of animals found there.
The region of the upper reaches of the Shari is the most fertile and populated in the country. The population density here reaches 15 people per 1 km 2 (with an average density in the Republic of Chad of 3 people per 1 km 2).
The Republic of Chad is divided into two parts: northern and southern. In the south there live black tribes who speak many languages and dialects. Some of them profess Christianity, others are loyal to local traditional cults. The population of the south is engaged in agriculture. Fertile soils make it possible to grow here, along with food, valuable industrial crops for export.
The northern part of Chad is mostly desert and semi-desert. There is no fertile land there. The population has long been engaged in nomadic cattle breeding.
The water in the lake is darkish due to thick algae. During the rainy season, the maximum depth of Lake Chad can reach up to eleven meters. Most of the shores of the lake are swampy, overgrown with papyrus, only the southern shore of Lake Chad is rich in tropical vegetation. There are small islands in the eastern part of the lake.
It should be noted that in the northeastern part of the coast of Chad there are deposits of natural salt.
The presented lake is home to unique animals - manatees, crocodiles, and hippos. Also on the territory of this lake you can see a large number of beautiful marsh and water birds. This lake is home to a large variety of fish.