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Difficulty: HardDrainage Systems: Major Rivers and Lakes of Africa

Drainage basin size is a fundamental hydrological characteristic reflecting the total land surface area drained by a river system and its tributaries. Arrange the following major African rivers in descending order of their total catchment (drainage basin) area, starting from the river with the largest basin to the one with the smallest basin.

  1. 1Congo River
  2. 2Niger River
  3. 3Zambezi River
  4. 4Orange River

Answer

The correct sequence of rivers from largest to smallest drainage basin area is: Congo River (approx. 3.7 million km²), Niger River (approx. 2.1 million km²), Zambezi River (approx. 1.39 million km²), and Orange River (approx. 1.0 million km²).
The Congo River has the largest catchment basin in Africa (approx. 3.7 million km²), followed by the Niger River (approx. 2.1 million km²), the Zambezi River (approx. 1.39 million km²), and the Orange River (approx. 1.0 million km²).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the catchment area of the Congo River
The Congo River drains an extensive equatorial region of about 3.68–3.70 million square kilometers, making it Africa's largest catchment area.
Establishes the upper bound for African river basin areas.
2
Determine the catchment area of the Niger River
The Niger River basin spans approximately 2.11–2.12 million square kilometers across West Africa.
Ranks second largest among the selected rivers.
3
Determine the catchment area of the Zambezi River
The Zambezi River basin covers about 1.39 million square kilometers in south-central Africa.
Positions the Zambezi behind the Niger River.
4
Determine the catchment area of the Orange River
The Orange River basin covers about 0.97–1.00 million square kilometers across Southern Africa.
Identifies the smallest catchment area among the four rivers listed.

Key Concept

African River Basin Catchment Dynamics
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Topics

Drainage Systems: Major Rivers and Lakes of Africa

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