John Hanning Speke, (born May 3, 1827, Bideford, Devon, England—died September 15, 1864, near Corsham, Wiltshire), British explorer who was the first European to reach Lake Victoria in East Africa, which he correctly identified as a source of the Nile.
Who first visited Lake Victoria?
The British explorer John Hanning Speke (1827-64) is famed for being the first European to visit Lake Victoria and to identify it as the source of the Nile. Speke undertook three African expeditions, the first two with the great explorer Richard Burton (1821-90), like Speke an officer in the Indian Army.
Who discovered Lake Victoria in 1858?
Speke’s travels to Lake Victoria
Speke renamed the lake after the British monarch, Queen Victoria, and was one of the first persons to map it. It was this lake that eventually proved to be the source of the River Nile.
Who explored Lake Victoria in 1871?
Between 1874 and 1877 Henry Morton Stanley traveled Central Africa east to west, exploring Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and the Lualaba and Congo rivers. He covered 7,000 miles (11,000 km) from Zanzibar in the east to Boma at the mouth of the Congo in the west.
Who was the first foreigner to come to Africa?
Europeans began exploration, trade, and missionary endeavors along the West Coast of Africa in the 15th century. The Portuguese were the first to do so, establishing trade with the Benin Kingdom, Lagos, and other regions along the coast.
Who was the first white man in Lake Victoria?
John Hanning Speke
John Hanning Speke, (born May 3, 1827, Bideford, Devon, England—died September 15, 1864, near Corsham, Wiltshire), British explorer who was the first European to reach Lake Victoria in East Africa, which he correctly identified as a source of the Nile.
Who founded Lake Victoria?
The search by Europeans for the source of the Nile led to the sighting of the lake by the British explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858. Formerly known to the Arabs as Ukerewe, the lake was named by Speke in honour of Queen Victoria of England. A detailed survey of the lake was made by Sir William Garstin in 1901.
Who discovered Africa first?
Portuguese explorer Prince Henry, known as the Navigator, was the first European to methodically explore Africa and the oceanic route to the Indies.
How Old Is Lake Victoria?
approximately 400,000 years old
Lake Victoria is approximately 400,000 years old, which is relatively young in geological terms. During its short life, it’s dried up several times – the most recent was about 17,000 years ago.
Why is Lake Victoria pink?
The lake’s unique pink hue comes from a pigment secreted by microscopic algae found in Loch Iel’s extra salty wetlands. This reserve is a beautiful spot to unwind.
Who were the first foreigners in East Africa?
Johannes Rebmann, (born January 16, 1820, Gerlingen, Württemberg—died October 4, 1876, Korntal, near Stuttgart), German missionary and explorer, the first European to penetrate Africa from its Indian Ocean coast.
What did Stanley say to Livingstone?
Sensing that he had found his man, he approached, extended his hand and asked a now-famous question: “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” When the stranger answered in the affirmative, Stanley let out a sigh of relief. “I thank God, doctor, I have been permitted to see you,” he said.
Is Lake Victoria the deepest lake in the world?
In terms of volume, Lake Victoria is the world’s ninth-largest continental lake, containing about 2,424 km3 (1.965×109 acre⋅ft) of water. Lake Victoria occupies a shallow depression in Africa. The lake has an average depth of 40 m (130 ft) and a maximum depth of 80–84 m (262–276 ft).
Who first named Africa?
the Romans
All historians agree that it was the Roman use of the term ‘Africa’ for parts of Tunisia and Northern Algeria which ultimately, almost 2000 years later, gave the continent its name. There is, however, no consensus amongst scholars as to why the Romans decided to call these provinces ‘Africa’.
How old is Africa?
Africa is sometimes nicknamed the “Mother Continent” due to its being the oldest inhabited continent on Earth. Humans and human ancestors have lived in Africa for more than 5 million years.
What was Africa call before?
Alkebulan
In fact, this school argues that Africa was initially named Alkebulan and was widely referred to as Alkebulan before the name Africa was birthed. In Kemetic History of Afrika, Dr cheikh Anah Diop writes, “The ancient name of Africa was Alkebulan.
Why Lake Victoria is famous?
Lake Victoria is the world’s largest tropical lake and the largest lake in the African Great Lakes region. The lake supports the largest freshwater fishery in the world, producing 1 million tons of fish per year and employing 200,000 people in supporting the livelihoods of 4 million people.
Who was the first explorer to come to Uganda?
The first Europeans to visit Uganda were the British explorers John Hanning Speke and James Grant when they were searching for the source of the Nile in 1862. They were followed by Samuel White Baker and Charles George Gordon commanding Egyptian troops.
Why is Lake Victoria Black?
Answer and Explanation: Lake Victoria appears black due to the dark brown mud and silt just below the water.
Which is the deepest lake in Africa?
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa and is the largest among the Albertine Rift lakes.
What are 5 facts about Lake Victoria?
I hope you enjoy the following interesting facts about Lake Victoria.
- The Largest Lake on the Continent.
- A Lake Fit for a Queen.
- A History that Predates its Name.
- An Eventful History.
- Where is Lake Victoria Located?
- A Source of the Nile River.
- Also a Source of Electricity.
- Sourced (mostly) from Rain.