Limpopo

Limpopo (lĭmpō`pō), river, c.1,100 mi (1,770 km) long, rising in Limpopo prov., South Africa. It flows in a great arc, first north (forming part of the South Africa–Botswana border), then east (forming the South Africa–Zimbabwe border), and finally southeast through Mozambique to the Indian Ocean. The upper Limpopo is also known as the Krokodil, or Crocodile. The river's main tributary, the Olifants, enters the Limpopo c.130 mi (210 km) from its mouth; below this point the Limpopo is permanently navigable. The lower Limpopo waters a fertile and heavily populated region.

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Limpopo

1. a province of NE South Africa, comprising the N part of the former province of Transvaal: agriculture and service industries. Capital: Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg). Pop.: 5 511 962 (2004 est.). Area: 123 910 sq. km (47 842 sq. miles). Former name (1994--2002): Northern Province

2. a river in SE Africa, rising in E South Africa and flowing northeast, then southeast as the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe and through Mozambique to the Indian Ocean. Length: 1770 km (1100 miles)

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Limpopo 

(also Crocodile, Krokodil), a river in southern Africa, flowing through the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique; in its middle course it forms the border separating the Republic of South Africa from Botswana and Rhodesia. Length, 1,600 km; basin area, 440,000 sq km.

The Limpopo River rises in the slopes of the Witwatersrand, skirts the north side of the veld, flows along the Mozambique lowlands, and empties into the Indian Ocean. Its principal left tributaries are the Notwani, Shashi, and Shangani rivers; the Olifants River is the major right tributary. The upper Limpopo, which crosses arid regions, has a low water level. The Limpopo is primarily fed by its left tributaries and the Olifants River. The water level of the lower course rises 5–7 m above the low-water level during the summer rainy season. The middle and lower courses of the river feed many irrigation systems. The Limpopo is navigable year-round for a distance of 160 km from its mouth.