Lake Volta
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| Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (November 2007) |
| Lake Volta | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary sources | White Volta River Black Volta River |
| Primary outflows | Volta River |
| Catchment area | 385,180 km² |
| Basin countries | Ghana |
| Surface area | 8,502 km² |
| Average depth | 18.8 m |
| Max. depth | 75 m |
| Water volume | 148 km³ |
| Shore length1 | 4,800 km |
| Surface elevation | 85 m |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Volta (located at ) is the largest reservoir in the world, lying in Ghana and covering almost 8,502 km² (3,275 square miles). Its northernmost point is at the town of Yapei, and southernmost at the Akosombo Dam, 520 kilometers downstream. The dam holds back the White Volta River and the Black Volta River. These two rivers formerly converged to form the Volta River; this river now flows from the dam to the Atlantic Ocean.
The lake was formed in 1965 when the Akosombo Dam was built. Owing to the formation of Lake Volta, 78,000 people were relocated to new townships, along with 200,000 animals belonging to them; 120 buildings were destroyed.
The Akosombo Dam provides electricity for much of the nation. It is also important for transportation, plied by both ferries and cargo boats.
The Digya National Park lies on part of the lake's west shore.
On April 9, 2006 a passenger boat sank in the lake drowning around 120 people.
[edit] Lake Volta: Tour and Attraction Destination
Lake Volta has been a tourist destination to Ghanaians, West Africans and other national tourists around the globe. This is due to its historic significance in Africa and geographical location. Other distinguished establishments that have contributed to attracting tourists to Lake Volta other than the famous Akosombo Dam and the Digya National Park are modern hotels and resorts. The introduction of new and fancy speed boats alongside world class pool stands and other amusement units at the resorts has raised the level of Volta Lake side as an epic tourist destination. These resorts could be found around Kpong, Sogakope and Akosombo.
[edit] External links
ca:Llac Voltada:Lake Volta de:Volta-Stausee et:Volta järv es:Lago Volta fi:Volta-järvi fr:Lac Volta he:אגם וולטה it:Lago Volta ja:ヴォルタ湖 nl:Voltameer pl:Jezioro Wolta sv:Voltasjön zh:沃尔特水库 th:ทะเลสาบวอลต้า
