We study the volcano Kilimanjaro

This stunning mountain, covered with a snow cap like gray hair, is in Northern Tanzania. In Swahili, the name Kilimanjaro means "Shining Mountain" - very suitable for this majestic mountain.

This is the highest point in Africa - its height is 5899 meters, so it is clearly visible for many kilometers. Its sloping slopes rise to a flat and elongated peak, which is the giant crater of this mighty volcano.

The volcano Kilimanjaro stretched for ninety-seven kilometers in length and sixty-four kilometers in width. This mountain is so great that it can form its own climate. A warm and humid wind from the Indian Ocean, facing this huge obstacle, gives the moisture brought in the form of snow or rain.

At the base and on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, coffee and corn are grown. Above, up to about three thousand meters, the mountain slopes are covered with dense tropical forests. Tourists from all over the world come to Africa to see the majestic Kilimanjaro volcano.

Climbing the mountain can be made to the plateau of Shira, located at an altitude of 4000 kilometers, on an off-road vehicle. Ascents climb from the territory of Tanzania or Kenya. They take from four to six days. You can climb to the equatorial glaciers and see the stunning panorama of Africa. Kilimanjaro is the highest volcano in Africa.

Snow and hanging glaciers, covering the volcano Kilimanjaro, considered one of the wonders of the world. After all, it is very close to the equator. But due to global warming, the snow cap, the crowning volcano Kilimanjaro, is rapidly melting.

If you dream of seeing a glacier in the center of Africa, then you should hurry: according to researchers, in 15-20 years of snow on the mountain will not remain at all. This process did not start today. The decrease in the ice layer was noted throughout the last century, beginning in 1912. During this time the volcano lost more than 80% of the ice layer.

The mass media started talking about this only in the 90s. The amazing African mountain, once covered by a snow layer 100 meters thick, Kilimanjaro turns into a stone wasteland. Stunning ice terraces were left only on the southern slopes of the mountain, at an altitude of more than 4000 meters.

Many tourists are attracted by the opportunity to visit the Kilimanjaro National Park , located not far from the small towns of Moshi and Akshi. Naturally, the main attraction of the park is the as yet dormant volcano Kilimanjaro entering the seismically dangerous zone. This snow top in 1987 is listed in the UNESCO heritage list.

Special attention deserves the lakes formed by the waters flowing down from the mountains, formed as a result of the melting of the snows. This is the Chapa lake, located in a small ancient crater, and Lake Gip, located on the border between Kenya and Tanzania. It reaches 16 kilometers in length and 5 kilometers in width.

In the east of the park there is a hunting reserve. Here are found antelopes, giraffes, zebras, elephants, a lot of snakes and a variety of birds.