Find fun facts and images, for kids, about the congo rainforest, the second. The tropical rainforest covers most of the eastern part of the congo. Central african republic, democratic republic of the congo, republic of the. The massive expanse of the congo rainforest, the second largest rainforest in the world after that of the amazon covers most of the congo river basin, central and west. Here, leonora baumann and etienne maury tell a few stories of drcs forests through the eyes of the people who live there. The drc contains half of africas tropical forest and the second largest continuous tropical forest in the world. Less than 2 percent of the land in the congo is used for farming, and most people who grow crops produce only enough to.
As of 2004, there were approximately 1,100,000 people living with hivaids in the country. The congo rainforest in central africa contains one of the longest rivers in the world, the congo river. Congo is bordered by gabon, angola, democratic republic of the congo, central african republic, and cameroon. The most famous congo rainforest people are the pygmies. Democratic republic of the congo rainforest foundation uk.
Because of unrest and economic instability, the democratic republic of the congo has mostly escaped the industrialscale deforestation that has taken. The congo river itself is 2,733 miles 4,398 km long, and is navigable for almost 900 miles 1,448 km. Less than 2 percent of the land in the congo is used for farming, and most people who grow crops produce only enough to feed their own families. Az animals, an online animal encyclopedia where you can learn about all your favourite animals, and even some you may have never heard of. The congo has 70% of the worlds coltan, a third of its cobalt, more than 30% of its diamond reserves, and a tenth of its copper. Learn about the animals and people of congo rainforest and basin, as well as. However there are still a number of threats to the health of the congo rainforest and its residents. Cameroon, the central african republic, the democratic republic of congo, gabon, equatorial guinea.
The congo rainforest is the worlds second largest rainforest, behind the amazon, covering a vast area across central africa through cameroon, equatorial guinea, gabon, the central african. Az animal listings organised by location continentcountryocean. The democratic republic of the congo drc holds the potential to light up a significant portion of africa. Facts about democratic republic of congo interesting and. The democratic republic of congo, located in central africa, has spent decades in the grip of violent conflict and economic unrest. The major rivers are the congo river photo below at the border with the democratic republic of the congo, and the kouilouniari river. Congo is the second largest country in the african continent. The democratic republic of congo lacks a strong infrastructure for transporting food, so most ingredients are produced by individuals or acquired at small local markets.
Seven countries hold 60 per cent of the planets forests. There were probably people living in the area that is today known as the democratic republic of. At 150 km from its mouth in drc, the river holds its greatest hydropower potential at the. Deforestation in the democratic republic of the congo all. Kinshasa is the capital city of the democratic republic of congo. Other interesting animals in congo rainforest are the okapi, african forest elephants, dryas monkey, allens swamp monkey, congo peafola, and aqutic genet. The congo basin spans across six countriescameroon, central african republic, democratic republic of the congo, republic of the congo, equatorial guinea and gabon. The democratic republic of the congo lies in the area of africa with the highest number of cases of aids. Democratic republic of the congo, country located in central africa. Ten interesting facts about the democratic republic of congo. The democratic republic of the congo also known as dr congo, drc, droc, congokinshasa or simply the congo is a country located in central africa the official name of the country is the democratic republic of the congo the official language is french. Because of unrest and economic instability, the democratic republic of the congo has mostly escaped the industrialscale deforestation that has taken place in other tropical countries such as brazil and indonesia.
They are located next to each other and have similar names, but they are different countries. The republic of the congo, also known as the congo republic, west congo, congobrazzaville or simply congo, is a country located in central africa the official name of the country is the republic of the congo it is bordered by gabon and the atlantic ocean to the west. The planets second largest tropical rainforest ecosystem, second only to the amazon, it also plays an important role in slowing down global climate change because the forest absorbs greenhouses. The congolian forests cover southeastern cameroon, gabon, the republic of the congo, the northern and central democratic republic of the congo, and portions of southern and southwestern central african republic ecology.
Even though the democratic republic of the congo is a huge country, there are barely a handful of museums spread around its main cities. Its the worlds second largest rainforest only the amazon is larger. The average height of pygmy men is just 4 feet 10 inches 1. Interesting facts about the democratic republic of congo. The congolese franc cdf is the official currency of the democratic republic of the congo. It is bordered by the central african republic and south sudan to the north. The capital, kinshasa, is located on the congo river about 320 miles 515 km from its mouth. This exploitation is clearly illustrated by the rapid deforestation of the drcs vast rainforest. The congo basin rainforest is the worlds second largest rainforest, spanning congo, democratic republic of the congo, cameroon, central african republic, equatorial guinea and gabon.
The congo river, the continents largest by volume and its most powerful, passes through ten countries before emptying into the atlantic ocean. Through a participatory land use planning programme, we are supporting rainforest communities in cameroon and democratic republic of congo drc to achieve longterm, sustainable development by gainin. Animals in democratic republic of congo animals in. The terrain of the congo river basin is extremely diverse, ranging from tall hilly forests to wet swamps and deep valleys. A bridge across the congo river still needs to be constructed to connect the two political centers. Republic of the congo republic of the congo plant and animal life. The democratic republic of congo is widely considered one of the worlds richest countries in natural resources.
There are around 10,000 species of tropical plant in the congo basin and many wild animals, including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants. Brazil, canada, china, indonesia, russian federation, united states and the democratic republic of congo. The congo rainforest is a tropical forest in central africa covering approximately 1. Within this enormous area, two main ecosystems exist, these. There were an estimated 100,000 deaths from aids in 2003.
Congo basin, basin of the congo river, lying astride the equator in westcentral africa. The 180 million hectare congo basin rainforest spans across the democratic republic of congo, most of congobrazzaville, the southeast of cameroon, southern central african republic, gabon and equatorial guinea. Much of the country is covered with tropical rainforest, although logging has cleared areas in the south. The security situation in congo severely deteriorated in 2017, leaving 1. During the 20th century, the country was subjected to a brutal period of belgian colonial rule. The west african country of the democratic republic of congo drc is home to some of the worlds most important forest resources, but is plagued by a host of complex challenges. Hunting and poaching has endangered many of the animals there, but the jungle itself is not being destroyed as it is. Democratic republic of the congo plant and animal life britannica. There are approximately 10, 000 species of tropical plants in the congo basin and 30 percent are unique to the region. Geography of democratic republic of the congo, landforms. The congolian rainforest is the worlds secondlargest tropical forest, spans six countries, and contains a quarter of the worlds remaining tropical forest. The democratic republic of the congo is named for the congo river, which flows through the entire country.
The congolian forests cover southeastern cameroon, gabon, the republic of the congo, the northern and central democratic republic of the congo, and. Democratic republic of the congo travel guide and tourist. Mar 01, 2018 facts about democratic republic of congos culture, geography, and history one of the richest counties in natural resources, the democratic republic of congo is a force to be reckoned with. The dense growth of african oak, red cedar, walnut, softwood okoume, or gaboon mahogany, and hardwood limba terminalia superba remaining in some regions provides an evergreen canopy over the sparse undergrowth of.
The second largest country in africa, the democratic republic of the congo drc is wellknown for its political instability. Kinshasa and brazzaville in the nextdoor republic of congo are the closest capital cities in the world with the exception of vatican city and rome. The central african rainforest is home to some of the worlds most spectacular wildlife, including gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants. There are around 10,000 species of tropical plant in the congo basin and many wild animals, including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants the most famous congo rainforest tribe is the pygmy. The democratic republic of congo is the largest country in the congo basin and contains 12. The country is called and known by different name variations. Named after the enormous congo river and the large ethnic group living at its mouth, the kongo, the democratic. A bridge across the congo river still needs to be constructed to. Hunting and poaching has endangered many of the animals there. Located in sangha department, the mountain has an elevation of 1,020 meters 3,346 feet. The congolian rainforests are a broad belt of lowland tropical moist broadleaf forests which extend across the basin of the congo river and its tributaries in central africa. The democratic republic of the congo hosts the united nations largest peacekeeping mission in the world, with over 21,000 soldiers from approximately 50 different countries. Deforestation in the democratic republic of the congo.
Az animal listings of animals found in democratic republic of congo, in africa. A bonobo in the congo rainforest in the democratic republic of congo, africa. The congo river is the second longest river in africa. Democratic republic of the congo international hydropower. The congo forest of central africa is the second largest intact block of tropical rainforest left in the world. Animals in democratic republic of congo animals in africa. Two thirds of the rainforest is found in the democratic republic of congo. Around seventy percent 70% of the congos land is covered by rainforest. Feb 04, 2017 the top 5 facts about the congo rainforest. Interesting facts about the republic of the congo just fun. Congo which distinguishes this country from the other congo, which is often called congo brazzaville. Suggested by sme michael jackson blood on the dance floor x dangerous the white panda mashup audio.
This forest and its river were the subject of a famous book called the heart of darkness by joseph conrad. Jan 07, 2019 the congolese rainforests cover parts of five countries in africa. Equatorial forest between congo and kasaisankuru rivers facts. Dr congo is a vast country with immense economic resources and, until recently, has.
Caroline khameneh general information independence. Most of the congo rainforest is in the democratic republic of congo drc. Officially known as the democratic republic of the congo, the country has a 25mile 40km coastline on the atlantic ocean but is otherwise landlocked. The heart of the congo basin is blanketed by an intricate forest system commonly known as the equatorial rainforest. Sep 17, 2003 the democratic republic of congo is the largest country in the congo basin and contains 12. The democratic republic of congo drc holds the largest portion of this forest, and it is among the most biodiverse areas anywhere.
Of these six countries, drc contains the largest area of rainforest, with. It is the second largest rainforest on earth after the amazon. Most of the herbaceous food for animals is found among the leaves and. The congo rainforest in central africa contains one of the longest rivers in the. One of the unique animals that you can view in the river of congo is the hippopotamus. Congo rainforest facts for kids kiddle encyclopedia. Mont nabemba is the highest mountain in republic of the congo. The congo river is the second longest river in africa after nile and the second largest river in the world by discharge volume of water after the amazon, and the worlds deepest river with measured depths in excess of 220 m 720 ft. On every leaf, there is either dew drops or rain drops. African republic, the republic of congo, the democratic republic of congo. Congo has a coastline along the south atlantic ocean. The republic of congo is the 63rd largest country in the world.
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