Река Кунене: География, Экология и Конфликты с Местным Населением

River in southern Africa

The Cunene (Portuguese spelling) or Kunene (common Namibian spelling) is a river in Southern Africa. It flows from the Angola highlands southwards to the border with Namibia. It then flows in a westerly direction along the border until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean.

One of the few perennial rivers in the region, the Cunene is about long, with a drainage basin in area. Its mean annual discharge is to at its mouth. The Epupa Falls lie on the river. Olushandja Dam dams a tributary of the river, the Etaka, and helps to provide the Ruacana Power Station with water. The main stream rises in 12° 30′ S. and about 160 miles in a direct line from the sea at Benguella, runs generally from north to south through four degrees of latitude, but finally flows west to the sea through a break in the outer highlands. Between the mouths of the two of its tributaries, the Cunene traverses a swampy plain, inundated during high water, and containing several small lakes at other parts of the year. From this swampy region divergent branches run S. E. They are mainly intermittent, but the Kwamatuo, which leaves the main stream in about 15° 8′ E., 17° 15′ S., flows into a large marsh or lake called Etosha, which occupies a depression in the inner table land about 3400 ft. above sea level. From the S. E. end of the Etosha lake streams issue in the direction of the Okavango, to which in times of great flood they contribute some water. In September 2012, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples visited the Himba, and heard their concerns. On November 23, 2012, hundreds of Himba and Zemba from Omuhonga and Epupa region protested in Okanguati against Namibia's plans to construct a dam in the Kunene River in the Baynes Mountains, against increasing mining operations on their traditional land and human rights violations against them. On March 25, 2013, over a thousand Himba and Zemba people marched in Opuwo to protest once more against Namibia's plans to build the Orokawe dam in the Cunene River without consulting with the indigenous peoples that do not consent to the construction plans.

Tourists frequent campsites or lodges at Epupa, which offer water sports on the river, including rafting and canoeing. Ancient baobab trees grow alongside the gorge, and there is an attractive and well kept viewpoint high above the village and falls.