8. It is the second longest river in Africa (The longest being River Nile). Introduction. In the Mesozoic period before the continental drift opened the South Atlantic Ocean, the Congo was the upper part of a river about 12,000 km (7,500 miles) long that flowed west across the parts of Gondwanaland, now called Africa and South America. Its overall length of 4,700 km (2,922 miles) makes it the second longest in Africa (after the Nile).The river and its tributaries flow through the second largest rain forest area in the world, second only to the Amazon Rainforest in South America.. The Congo River, despite having its depth vary from section to section, has the depth in some areas extending beyond 220 metres (720 feet). Congo River facts on depth, length, and conditions all contribute to the way the river is used. Is it correct to state that the Congo begins in the “ALTAI MOUNTAINS”? 50 per cent of the Congo Basin forest has now been allocated for logging. “The Congo River is the spine of our country,” says Isidore Ndaywel è Nziem, a professor of history at the University of Kinshasa. The Republic of Congo borders DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Gabon, CAR (Central African Republic), Angola, and Atlantic Ocean. 8. Other facts about the Congo River. The Congo River flows through the heart of Africa for about 2,900 miles (4,700 kilometers). The Congo and its tributaries flow through the rainforest with the same name, which is the second-largest rainforest on the planet after the Amazon Rainforest (in Brazil). 2012-01-25 20:23:32 2012-01-25 20:23:32. It rises in the highlands of northeastern Zambia between Lakes Tanganyika and Nyasa (Malawi) as the Chambeshi River at an elevation of 5,760 feet (1,760 Within this equatorial domain, the Congo and its principal tributaries form a separate ecological milieu. There are some animals which are only found here, including the Congo peafowl, dryas monkey and bonobo. It is the second longest river in Africa, after the Nile . Congo River - Congo River - Animal life: The animal life of the Congo basin is identified to a certain extent with that of the equatorial forest, which is sharply distinct from the wildlife of the savannas. Its deepest spot measured to be 720 ft (220 m). Though some impact measurements depend on anecdotal evidence and observation, precise science and engineering has settled some questions. 50 per cent of the Congo Basin forest has now been allocated for logging. Environment, Landmarks / By EE Editor. Given it tributaries drain areas north and south with the Equator, and its related rain-belt, it’s always raining somewhere within the Congo’s drainage basin. The River Congo is 2,900 miles (4,700 km) long making it the second l ongest river in Africa after Nile and the ninth longest river in the world.In terms of discharge, the Congo had an average annual discharge of around 41,200 m 3 /s (1,454,964.27 cubic ft/s). The Congo River is the 9th longest river in the world, at 2,920 miles. We can say that Congo River is the most powerful river in Africa. There are about 40 hydroelectric plants on the Congo. At the mouth of the river, there's no delta--only a deep arm of the Atlantic, fringed with mangrove at the edges. This means that this river is so large it crosses two different large countries. Upstream from Malebo Pool, the Congo basin receives an average of about 60 inches (1,500 mm) of rain a year, of which more than one-fourth is discharged into the Atlantic. LOCATION AND SIZE. Henry Morton Stanley published about his journey down the river in a book called The Dark Continent, in the year 1878. The Congo River is a river in Africa and the world’s deepest river with measured depths in excess of 220 m (720 ft). It begins at the junction of the Lualaba and Luvua rivers, in the Altai Mountains, and flows southwest to the Atlantic Ocean. Facts about Congo Rainforest 5: the animal in the river. The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo Republic or Congo-Brazzaville, is a country located in Central Africa. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nice information this allowed me to get my information and work done and in so very thankful!! According to the discharge volume, it is the second largest river. The Congo River is the most powerful river in Africa. Though some impact measurements depend on anecdotal evidence and observation, precise science and engineering has settled some questions. Opportunities for the Congo River and its tributaries to generate hydropower are therefore enormous. The Congo’s source is at the highlands of north-east of Zambia, it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Banane, within the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is not an uncommon sight to see a barge that is transporting wood or fuel or other things. The Congo-Lualaba-Chambeshi Riversystem has an overall length of 4,700 km (2,920 mi), which makes … The Congo River: Facts and History The Congo River winds through millenia of myth, tragedy, triumph and history in the making. Additionally, its overall length of 4,700 km (2,920 mi) makes it the ninth longest river. The river water is most relied upon for irrigating crops such as tobacco, cotton, sugarcane and peanut, plants known to thrive in the very humid conditions that blanket the river areas. The Congo River is also known as the Zaire River. The Congo rainforest may be the second largest on the planet after the Amazon jungle. Congo River - The Congo River in the past also known as the Zaire River is a river in Africa, and is the deepest river in the world, with measured depths in excess of 220 m (720 ft).It is the third largest river in the world by volume of water discharged. Map of the Kingdom of Kongo, 1711 #2 Congo is the second largest river in the world by discharge volume. The Congo River is a long, arcing river with a basin that spans nine countries in West-Central Africa. With gasoline-powered barges, nevertheless, comes pollution. Insects like mosquitoes and gnats are common in the hot, humid conditions. Quick Facts About Congo River. The Congo River is the deepest river in the world. Congo River - The Congo River in the past also known as the Zaire River is a river in Africa, and is the deepest river in the world, with measured depths in excess of 220 m (720 ft).It is the third largest river in the world by volume of water discharged. Environment, Landmarks / By EE Editor. Congo River and forest- Top Facts you should Know. 2. Diego Cao, in 1482 was the first European known to look and enter the Congo Lake. “The Congo River or also known as the world’s eighth-longest river (2, 914 miles), begins at the junction of Lualaba and Luvua rivers, in the Altai Mountain, and flows southwest towards the Atlantic Ocean. Its drainage basin, covering an area of 1,335,000 square miles (3,457,000 square km), takes in almost the entire territory of that country, as well as most of the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, eastern Zambia, and northern Angola and parts of Cameroon and Tanzania. They are The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of the Congo. Approximately seven hundred fish species have been recorded moving into the Congo River. The second longest river in Africa is explained on Facts about the River Congo. The Congo River, which is located in Africa, is the world's deepest river and the world's second most voluminous river. The Congo River is the most powerful river in Africa. Congo River is the second longest in Africa, after the River Nile and has a discharge of just 1, 500, 000 cubic feet. The depth of River Congo reaches 720 feet or 220 metres. The Congo River and one of its tributaries, the Ubangi, form most of the boundary between the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). 4. Omissions? The river forms the vast majority of the border between Zaire and also the Republic of Congo and drains greater than 1, 600, 000 square miles of land. It was on opposite banks of Malebo Pool—which represents the point of departure of inland navigation—that the capitals of the former states of the French Congo and the Belgian Congo were founded: on the left bank Kinshasa (formerly Léopoldville), now the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and on the right bank Brazzaville, now the capital of the Republic of the Congo. There are approximately 40 hydropower plants on the river that utilize this power to provide energy for the African continent. The River flows to the Atlantic Ocean at Muanda, within the Democratic Republic of Congo. It flows approximately 3,685 kilometers (2,290 miles) across Russia and empties into the Caspian Sea. In 1880, French colonizers started arriving in Congo. The Congo River was also known as Zaire River during the Mobutu regime, and it is the second-longest river in Africa next to the Nile River. It has within its bank 30 waterfalls and a huge number of islands, at least 50 of which are more than 10 miles long. A large amount of the property surrounding the river is tropical rain forest and is home to hundreds of all kinds of animals, pigs, water snakes, including hippos, crocodiles, manatees, tortoises, elephants, and to 200 species of sea creatures. 11 12 13. Its overall length of 4,700 km (2,922 miles) makes it the second longest in Africa (after the Nile).The river and its tributaries flow through the second largest rain forest area in the world, second only to the Amazon Rainforest in South America.. The Congo is one of the deepest rivers in the world with depths sometimes exceeding 220 meters (720 feet). They also fish in the Congo River. Did not know that the Altai Mountains are in this part of the world. Quite a few cataracts (large or high waterfalls), dangerous rapids, and numerous islands can make the navigation difficult or impossible in certain areas of the river. The Congo is the only major river to cross the equator twice; The Congo has the third largest drainage basin on Earth after the Amazon and Rio Plata basins. Major tributaries range from the Aruwimi, Lomami and Kasai rivers. The Congo is the only major river to cross the equator twice; The Congo has the third largest drainage basin on Earth after the Amazon and Rio Plata basins. The Congo River is known as the deepest river in the world, with depths greater than 720 feet. He first sighted the river in 1482. It was only in the early years of the 18th century that the river was first called the “Rio Congo,” a name taken from the kingdom of Kongo that had been situated along the lower course of the river. Congo River - Congo River - Animal life: The animal life of the Congo basin is identified to a certain extent with that of the equatorial forest, which is sharply distinct from the wildlife of the savannas. To the literary-minded the river is evocative of the famous 1902 short story “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad. 12. The river and also the surrounding banks are home into a rich variety of fauna including the animals I mentioned up (bonobos, hippos, manatees, crocodiles, elephants and at very least 700 species of sea creatures) and since scientists haven’t had a good look at all stretches with the river yet so there can be many more. See Also: 10 Fascinating Zambezi River Facts. Other facts about the Congo River. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC, formerly known as Zaire) is … 9. The Congo River is the world’s deepest river with measured depths in excess of 220 meters (720 feet). The river's main sources include Lake Tanganyika, Lake Mweru, the East African Rift, and the Chambeshi River. The Congo River, formerly known as the Zaire, with its tributaries drains more than 1,600,000 square miles (4,100,000 square kilometers) in the heart of tropical Africa. With its many tributaries, the Congo forms the continent’s largest network of navigable waterways. The Congo River, the 9th longest river on the planet, is 2, 920 miles. The Congo River is a watercourse that flows through Central Africa. Formerly Zaire River. Facts About the Congo River Each major river has its own distinctions, whether it is their contribution to the economy of an area, or to the cultures that surround the waters. The Congo River has given its name to a couple of African countries. 1. The Congo river is famous for being the deepest and the ninth longest river in the world by discharge. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Congo River facts on depth, length, and conditions all contribute to the way the river is used. Christianity is the majority religion in the DRC, followed by about 95% of the population. The river water is most relied upon for irrigating crops such as tobacco, cotton, sugarcane and peanut, plants known to thrive in the very humid conditions that blanket the river areas.