Lake Edward: A Prince and a Late King

Lake Edward: A Prince and a Late King : The lake  is located in Kasese District in Western Uganda and it is surrounded by Virunga National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lake has a surface area of 2,325 sq km and maximum length of 77km and maximum width of 40km. It has an average depth of 17 m. The lake was named after a member of the British royal family, Prince Albert Edward, The Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward V11.

The western escarpment is in the direction of the western shore of the lake and Rwenzori Mountain is 20 km north of the lake. The lake is on the border between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Member of the African Great Lakes
The lake is the smallest of the African Great Lakes located in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift.

Rivers feeding the Lake
The rivers flowing into the lake include:

  • Nyamugasani River,
  • Ishasha River,
  • Rutshuru River,
  • Ntungwe River and
  • Rwindi River

The lake empties into Lake Albert through the Semliki River.

Wildlife
The lake is a home to many species of fish and protected animals living along the banks of the lake which include chimpanzees, elephants, crocodiles, and lions. The lake is also a home to  many perennial and migratory bird species.

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