Lake Tana: geographical position, basin origin, historical and natural monuments

The continent, famous for its deserts and ancienthistory, can boast and quite quite large ponds. Standing on their bank, it is often difficult to imagine that around a thousand square kilometers of waterless land. And most of all, the imagination of Lake Tana - a water surface that seems boundless and full of a wide variety of life.

Geographic location of the lake

It is the largest water reservoir in theterritory of Ethiopia. In addition, in addition to the established name, Tana Lake on the map of Africa can sometimes meet as Tsana (a variant of writing and reading the Latin alphabet) or Dembea, similar to the name of the country that adjoins the northern shore. More or less precise coordinates are 11 ° 35 "-12 ° 16" s. w. and 34 ° 39 "-35 ° 20" in. etc. Why not absolutely accurate? Because in the rainy season, Tana Lake occupies a larger area than in the dry one. It absorbs the waters of many diverse arteries - from fairly large rivers, the largest of which is Abbay, to almost imperceptible streams. But it follows from it only one river - Bar El Azrek, also called the Blue Nile. Lake Tana abounds in islands of different sizes, but always small; the total area of ​​isolated land is about 50 square kilometers, which, against a background of at least 3000 (in dry time), square kilometers of water seems to be a total trifle.

Potential of Lake Tana

I must say that not in vain several countries in their owntime claimed for the sole possession of this huge body of water. According to approximate calculations, the installation of power stations on it could provide electricity to all of Africa - about 60 billion kWh would be enough for the whole continent. But at the moment there is only one such station, and then there are certain censures about it: the construction has significantly reduced the flow in the waterfall with the romantic name Tis-Isat - "Smoke of Fire".

Lake Tana in Africa is replete with fish, shellfish andcrabs. Their extraction is one of the main sources of food for local residents. There is also a lot of bird that settles along the banks and on the islets. An additional bonus is the absence in the waters of the lake of crocodiles, which are simply swarming with all the rivers flowing into Tana. Although there are plenty of hippos, but if you do not touch them, they peacefully coexist with people.

In recent years, Tana Lake has been gaining popularity with tourists. They are attracted by local beauties, historical monuments, and religious shrines.

Religious values

As already mentioned, Tana Lake is strewnsmall islands. In total there are 37. More than half of them have temples, churches and monasteries built. In their vaults priceless ancient manuscripts and manuscript bibles are preserved, many walls are painted with unique frescoes, ancient Coptic crosses are preserved, and in the monastery you are allowed to look at the mummies of kings. The most mysterious monastery is on the island of Tana-Kirkos. It is almost impossible to get there, although many believers would willingly bow their knees in the monastery. According to legend, it is here that for eight centuries the priests hid from the desecration of the Ark of the Covenant. However, those who wish can visit the monasteries of the Khirdane Mehret (Sege peninsula), Narga Selassie (Dec), the monastery of Jesus.

Natural and historical monuments

In addition to the already mentioned waterfall, Lake Tana inAfrica can boast of the fact that not far from it is the highest Ethiopian peak Ras Dashen. On it also from time immemorial there were temples, but more it is known for its picturesqueness. The waterfalls still look worthwhile, although they are already not as impressive as before the construction of the station. But there from the 17th century a stone bridge built by the Portuguese survived. From an architectural point of view, the city of Gonder is very interesting, near the lake: you will not see such a number of castles, perhaps nowhere else. And the fortress of Fasil-Gabby is amazing even for many travelers. And it is worth, of course, to swim with local fishermen in the morning: a combination of wonderful views and exotic appearance of the "gondolier" (they still use national apparels, and not for attracting tourists) will probably be remembered for life.

How was the lake formed?

All the great African reservoirs got their"Bed" as a result of the rift fault. Because of this, they differ in considerable depth. It is quite another thing - Lake Tana, the origin of the basin of which is the dam. That is, as a result of a tectonic trough in ancient times, a long and wide valley was formed. Small rivers flowed along its bottom. And as a result of the eruption of the volcano and the earthquake associated with it, the drains were plugged. Out of the "trap" found (or struck for himself) only the Blue Nile. That is why even in the deepest place and during the flood period, Lake Tana barely reaches a depth of 14 meters, and in the dry months and not at all deeper than 10.