Learn the geography of Africa: in what part of the mainland is the river Congo

From the first glance at the map of Central Africa, it becomes clear in which part of the mainland the Congo River flows. According to the established opinion and the most widely used method of measuring the length of this river, the Congo practically completely flows through the territory of one country - the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But in some areas it directs its waters along the borders of this state.

In what part of the mainland is the Congo River

Both the Amazon and the Congo are among the greatest rivers that have an impressive influence not only on the ecology of the planet, but also on the history and culture of all mankind. They occupy the top two lines in the ranking of the most full-flowing rivers.

The relief on the Atlantic coast of the African continent is characterized by significant differences in altitude and the associated climate and landscape change. Relatively high-altitude areas, in which the river is born, are replaced by flat landscapes, where the flow is slow. This causes a significant number of meanders along the coast.

Understanding of which part of the continent the Congo River flows in allows you to obtain some information about its economic significance for the state through whose territory it flows. Significant cross-country terrain does not contribute to significant navigation along the river, as its current is often interrupted by rapids, waterfalls and shallow, difficultly traversed lakes.

The value of the river for the population

Having figured out in what part of the continent and in what direction the Congo River flows, it is worth paying attention to its ecological significance. Its waters are extremely rich in freshwater fish. Ichthyologists count more than a thousand species inhabiting the waters of the Congo.

In addition to fish resources, the river is also rich in energy resources, which are increasingly used by the state and business. Of course, the development of infrastructure and access to cheap sources of electricity allow the country's population to significantly raise their living standards. But it is worth noting that the active construction of dams in hydroelectric power stations can negatively affect the fragile ecological balance of the region.

But the river is also unique in that it crosses the equator twice, which in turn indicates a rich, diverse and unique animal world that has developed along the current.

Infrastructure development

In conditions of impenetrable tropical forests and mountain systems, the river for centuries served as a natural way of communication between different settlements. True, before the arrival of Europeans, the transportation of goods and people was carried out on a relatively small scale. But as soon as European capital gained access to the region's riches, regular steamship traffic began to take place along the river.

In what part of the mainland the Congo River flows, the interest of Western entrepreneurs in the construction of docks, ports and cargo terminals along the river and its mouths has been determined. The new infrastructure allowed to extract natural resources extracted in the depth of the continent with maximum efficiency.