Fun Facts of the Area
- 73 languages spoken in Zambia; English is the common language
- Livingstone was named after the Scottish explorer David Livingstone who was the first European to see the Falls in 1905.
- The Zambezi River is the 4th largest river in Africa and goes through 6 countries (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique).
- The Rain Forest at Victoria Falls is the only place on earth where it rains 24 hours a day 7 days a week all because of the spray from the falls.
- The Victoria Falls Bridge was the dream and brainchild of Cecil John Rhodes but he died before the bridge was completed.
- The falling water crashing into the bottom of the falls is eroding all the time so the falls height is more than the reported 110 meters.
- Zambia is 7 hours ahead of Eastern USA time
- The 12th of March is a national holiday in Zambia known as Youth Day
- Victoria Falls is one of the 7 wonders of the world because it is known as largest waterfall in the world (1,708 meters wide and over 110 meters high). However, it is neither the highest (Angel Falls) nor the widest (Khone Falls). It is, however, the largest curtain of falling water on the planet.
- Before David Livingstone named the Falls, it was originally called Mosi-oa-tunya which means “The Smoke That Thunders.” Livingstone re-named the Falls in honor of Queen Victoria.
- There are plenty of activities that occur at the Falls including white water rafting, bungee jumping, bridge swinging, gorge swinging and the worlds longest zip line.
- The Falls current location is actually isn’t it’s original location. It has moved 8 times since it was founded and is projected to move again.
- The Falls sits on the very boarder of Zambia and Zimbabwe, with the Zimbabwean side being the best place to view the Falls face on. The spray from the Falls will leave you drenched so be sure to have a waterproof case on your phone and a rain jacket.
Hope you enjoyed all the fun facts!!
Till Next Time,
Kara Faber
