Where Does The Cunene River Flow?

The Cunene River is a river in Southern Africa that rises in west-central Angola and flows southwards to the border with Namibia. From there, it flows westward along the border until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. With a total length of approximately 945-1050 km, the Cunene River is one of the largest rivers in Angola and plays a crucial role in the region's geography and economy. In this paragraph, we will explore the Cunene River's location, features, and significance to Angola and the surrounding areas.

The Cunene River flows from the Angola highlands southwards to the border with Namibia

The Cunene River, or Kunene River in Namibian spelling, is a river in southwestern Africa. It flows from the Angola highlands southwards to the border with Namibia, then along the border in a westerly direction until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. The river is approximately 1,050 kilometres (650 miles) long, with a drainage basin of 106,560 square kilometres (41,140 square miles) in area.

The Cunene is one of the few perennial rivers in the region, and it plays an important role in the local ecosystem and economy. The river rises in west-central Angola, with its source located about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Huambo. As it flows southwards, it passes through several different landscapes, including granite uplands, floodplains, and deserts. At Chiamelu, the river flows through a steep granite bed, while at Matala, it falls about 42 feet (13 metres) before entering the northern portion of the Kalahari Desert.

The Cunene River is also home to several waterfalls and dams. The Epupa Falls and the Ruacana Falls are located on the river, and the Olushandja Dam helps provide water to the Ruacana Power Station. The river is an important source of hydropower and irrigation for the region.

The Cunene River is an essential resource for the people and wildlife of the region. It supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rich biodiversity in its aquatic ecosystems. The river also provides opportunities for water sports and tourism, with campsites and lodges offering activities such as rafting and canoeing.

In summary, the Cunene River flows from the Angola highlands southwards to the border with Namibia, where it continues westwards until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. It is a significant geographical feature in the region, providing ecological, economic, and recreational value to the local communities.

The river then flows west along the border until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean

The Cunene River, or Kunene River in Namibian spelling, is indeed a river in southwestern Africa. It flows from the Angola highlands southwards to the border with Namibia.

After flowing south, the Cunene River then turns decidedly to the west and flows along the border with Namibia until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. This section of the river is characterised by a series of cataracts, the chief of which has a fall of 330 ft. The river passes through an almost desert region with little to no vegetation, and its volume decreases as it nears the coast. The riverbed sits around 4,000 ft below the surrounding Zebra and Baynes mountains.

The Cunene traverses a region of sandhills near the coast, and its mouth is blocked by sand at low water. The river enters the Atlantic Ocean at coordinates 17° 18′ S, 11° 40′ E. There is evidence that a former branch of the river once flowed into a bay to the south.

The Cunene is one of the few perennial rivers in the region, with a length of about 1,050 km (650 mi) and a drainage basin of 106,560 km2 (41,140 sq mi) in area. Its mean annual discharge is 174 m3/s (6,100 cu ft/s) to 222 m3/s (7,800 cu ft/s) at its mouth. The river is home to the Epupa Falls, and the Olushandja Dam is also located on a tributary of the Cunene.

The Epupa Falls lie on the Cunene River

The Epupa Falls are located on the border between Angola and Namibia, in the Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region. The river is approximately 500 metres wide at this point and descends a series of waterfalls across a length of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 miles), with the greatest single drop being 37 metres (121 feet). The settlement near the falls is also called Epupa, and the name "Epupa" is a Herero word for "foam", referring to the foam created by the falling water.

The Epupa Falls are a major visitor attraction in Namibia due to their remote and unspoiled environment. The area features fig trees, baobabs, makalani palms, and colourful rock walls framing the falls. Visitors can enjoy activities such as guided tours to the falls and nearby Himba villages, birdwatching, excursions to see crocodiles, and whitewater rafting.

The Epupa Falls are also of cultural and ecological significance. They are known for the semi-nomadic Ovahimba people who live there, as well as other tribes such as the Ovatjimba, Ovazemba, and Ovatwa. The falls are also the locus of endemism for a number of fish and other aquatic species due to the specialised nature of the steep riparian habitat.

The river is approximately 1,050 kilometres (652 mi) long

The Cunene River, also known as the Kunene River, is a river in Southwestern Africa. It flows from the Angola highlands southwards to the border with Namibia. The river then flows west along the border until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean.

The Cunene River's journey begins in west-central Angola, where it rises about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Huambo. As it makes its way south, the river passes through different landscapes and ecosystems. At Chiamelu, the river flows in a steep granite bed, showcasing the rugged terrain of the region. However, as the river continues its course, the landscape changes.

The Cunene River leaves the granite uplands at Matala, where it descends about 42 feet (13 metres) before entering a unique environment, the northern portion of the Kalahari Desert. Here, the river's behaviour is influenced by the seasons. During the wet season, the river floods the desert sands, creating a temporary aquatic habitat. To harness the power of the river, humans have intervened in its course. The Matala Dam, for instance, raises the river's level by 26 feet (8 metres), providing a head of about 68 feet (21 metres) ideal for hydroelectric generation.

As the Cunene River continues its westward journey, it encounters a series of rapids and waterfalls. One notable drop is the Ruacana Falls, where the river plunges 230 feet (70 metres). Here, human activity has once again harnessed the river's power for hydropower and irrigation. From this point onwards, the Cunene River serves as a natural boundary between Angola and Namibia.

The river then enters a more rugged and mountainous region, carving its way through the Zebra and Baynes Mountains. This section of the river is characterised by a significant drop in elevation, with the riverbed sitting about 4,000 feet (1,200 metres) below the surrounding peaks, which tower at around 7,200 feet (2,200 metres). The Epupa (Montenegro) Falls are also found in this mountainous stretch, with a height of more than 100 feet (30 metres).

After traversing the mountains, the Cunene River emerges into the Namib Desert, where its volume decreases as it passes through an almost desert region with sparse vegetation. The river persists, sometimes shallow and fordable, and at other times confined to a narrow rocky channel. As it nears the ocean, the Cunene encounters sand-hills, and its mouth is completely blocked at low water, creating a lagoon-like feature. Finally, the Cunene River empties into the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 17° 18' S, 11° 40' E, leaving a lasting mark on the landscape and the lives of those who depend on its waters.

The Cunene is one of the few perennial rivers in the region

The Cunene River, also known as Kunene, is a river in Southern Africa. It rises in west-central Angola, in the southwest of the continent, and flows southwards to the border with Namibia. The river then turns west, flowing along the border until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean.

The Cunene traverses a swampy plain between the mouths of its two tributaries. From this region, divergent branches run southeast, with some flowing into a large marsh or lake called Etosha. The river then turns west and descends to the coast plain by a series of cataracts, the largest of which has a fall of 330 feet. As the Cunene passes through a near-desert region, its volume decreases, and it becomes shallow and fordable in some places. Near the sea, the river traverses a region of sandhills, and its mouth is blocked by a sandbar during low water.

The river is an important source of water for the Ruacana Power Station, with the Olushandja Dam providing water to the station through one of the river's tributaries, the Etaka. The Cunene also supports biodiversity, with ancient baobab trees growing alongside it and a range of water sports offered at campsites and lodges along its course.

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