Rufiji River

Rufiji
Rufiji river in Selous
Map of the Rufiji River drainage basin. The separate, endorheic Lake Sulunga basin is shown in green.
Location
CountryTanzania
RegionPwani Region
RegionMorogoro Region
RegionIringa Region
Physical characteristics
SourceGreat Ruaha River
 • locationTanzania
2nd sourceKilombero River
 • locationMorogoro Region
3rd sourceLuwegu River
 • locationMorogoro Region
MouthIndian Ocean
 • location
Pwani Region
 • coordinates
7°46′26″S 39°21′50″E / 7.77389°S 39.36389°E / -7.77389; 39.36389
Length600 km (370 mi)
Basin size177,429 square kilometres (68,506 sq mi)

The Rufiji River lies entirely within Tanzania. It is also the largest and longest river in the country. The river is formed by the confluence of the Kilombero and Luwegu rivers. It is approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) long, with its source in southwestern Tanzania and its mouth on the Indian Ocean opposite Mafia Island across the Mafia Channel, in Pwani Region. Its principal tributary is the Great Ruaha River. It is navigable for approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi).

The Rufiji river is approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) south of Dar es Salaam. The river's delta contains the largest mangrove forest in eastern Africa.[1]

  1. ^ ""Downstream and Coastal Impacts of Damming and Water Abstraction in Africa", Environmental Management, authored by Maria Snoussi, Johnson Kitheka, Yohanna Shaghude, Alioune Kane, Russell Arthurton, Martin Le Tissier, and Hassan Virji, 2007, volume 39, page 589" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2015-10-18.