Lake Victoria

Being the largest lake in Africa, the largest tropical freshwater lake, and the second largest lake in the world, Lake Victoria is one of the world's great lakes. In addition to its sheer size, Lake Victoria has played an important role in the development of western civilization. Serving as the source of the Nile, it has provided regular flooding that allowed for the growth of Egyptian civilization. While Lake Victoria has had thousands of years of influence in Africa, recent changes in land use and introductions to the lake have caused declines in water quality and a loss of species diversity. While these are major challenges to protecting the lake, there is hope in the long-term recovery through the care provided by the local residents and concern by the global community.