In what part of the mainland is Congo located? See what "DR Congo" is in other dictionaries

We are accustomed to the fact that each state has its own name. And only in the center of the African continent are two “namesakes” named Congo discovered. One was named the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and there are a lot of interesting things to tell about it.

For example, in Rus' in the old days people paid with sable skins, in China with shellfish shells, and here, in the heart of Africa, even in the 19th century, copper crosses similar to the × sign were used as money. Such money weighed six hundred grams, its dimensions reached half a meter. For one cross they sold 10 kg of flour, and for two they sold a real rifle. However, before the arrival of the whites, people lived here without firearms.

The Europeans, having captured the surrounding lands, tried not to meddle in the huge basin of the high-water Congo River.

Congo River Basin

Impassable tropical forests and swamps, warlike tribes, incurable diseases - malaria and sleeping sickness - protected this country on the equator. Well, then it was her turn...

DR Congo. Our information.

Official name: Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Location: Central Africa.

Territory: over 2.345 million km².

Population: over 74.43 million people

Capital: Kinshasa.

Official language: French.

DR Congo - a little history.

No matter what map you take, you can see that the DR Congo is a big country. And it is difficult to imagine that this territory the size of the Krasnoyarsk Territory all once belonged to one person - the Belgian King Leopold II. It was called the “Congo Free State,” but its inhabitants were free before they actually became slaves of the foreign king.

He turned out to be a cool entrepreneur. The mercenary army kept the Congolese at bay. They were forced to supply elephant tusks and were forced into rubber plantations. Thousands of people died from hunger and disease. If anyone refused to work, their hand was cut off. During punitive operations, “civilized Europeans” burned villages and spared no ammunition. It is not surprising that rubber production increased almost two hundred times, and the country's population fell by half, to 15 million people. Meanwhile, the autocrat built palaces and bought castles.

European monarchs looked askance at Leopold's "business". Newspapers published cartoons of the crowned businessman. Writers Arthur Conan Doyle and Mark Twain ridiculed him. As a result, the public got fed up with the king, and a year before his death he sold his overseas land to the state he ruled. By the way, almost 80 countries the size of Belgium could fit on the soil of the Congo.

DR Congo and the little people - Pygmies.

Now the main population of the Congo is the Bantu people. They first appeared in these parts 2,500 years ago and soon discovered amazing people who barely reached their shoulders. These were pygmy tribes.

The maximum height of “dwarf men” barely reached 150 cm, and in women 120 cm was not uncommon. They still live in Central Africa, differing from their neighbors not only in height, but also in skin color: their skin is reddish-brown.

Why are pygmies short? Scientists have discovered the main reason for the phenomenon. Almost all African peoples live on the edges, in savannas, and river valleys. But pygmies are inhabitants of tropical rain forests. Living in these thickets is too difficult and dangerous. Here it is difficult to get enough food, protect yourself from diseases and predators. It is not surprising that the average age of pygmies is approximately 24 years; a few centenarians exceed the forty-year mark. Nature has found a way out: pygmies have genes that “switch” development to earlier puberty. This slows down growth early, but the parents have time to produce and raise offspring before they are gone. Among pygmies, motherhood at 15 is common. As a result, the tribe has a better chance of surviving in extreme living conditions. At the same time, short stature also gives other advantages: it is more convenient to move in dense thickets, it is easier to feed yourself.

Pygmies live in clans - groups of related families. Marriages are only allowed between people from different clans. Women are highly valued: after all, they bear most of the household chores. Among other nations, brides are ransomed, but the pygmies do not have such a custom - after all, they do not have any valuables that would pass for a ransom. In order not to suffer damage, the clan allows the bride to leave only when the groom brings in her place a girl from his clan who is not against becoming a wife to someone from the family of the “departing” bride. This procedure makes divorces difficult: not one, but both wives must want to return to their “original” families. So the clans try to peacefully settle all the rough edges of married couples. Pygmies do not have polygamy - the clan makes sure that none of the men have to remain bachelors for centuries. And life from hand to mouth is not conducive to thoughts of a second wife.

What do Pygmies eat?

Women collect everything that is edible in the forest: roots, leaves, plant fruits, mushrooms, snakes, caterpillars, termites. Men hunt.

Their weapons are clubs, javelins (short spears), bows, small arrows, often smeared with poison. The pygmies exchange metal for the tips from their tall neighbors. In the forest they stretch long nets woven from strong vines. Women and children scare the animals with noise and uproar and drive them into the net, which is guarded by an ambush of men. Sometimes they track prey for a long time, sneaking up, setting traps. Poisonous leaves are thrown into the lakes. Dead fish float to the surface, the pygmies collect as much as their families need for the day - in the heat, food quickly spoils. The remaining fish in the pond comes to its senses and swims away. Climbing trees as tall as skyscrapers, pygmies smoke bees out of their hollows and take honeycombs with honey.

When the nearby forest stops feeding, the pygmies go elsewhere. They leave the huts and take the firebrands smoldering in the fire with them. In a new location, housing is built quickly: walls and a roof made of leaves on a frame of branches and twigs. Considering the growth of the residents of the house, the consumption of available building materials is small. The only furniture in the hut is tied bamboo trunks, on which people sleep with a bunch of leaves under their heads.

There are approximately 165 thousand pygmies living in the DR Congo. You won't envy them. Trees are being cut down mercilessly. The area of ​​forests is steadily declining, and along with it the number of their original inhabitants. They resettle little people, try to get them interested in farming, make them auxiliary workers, or even just slaves. But it’s hard for them to live outside their native element. Will the “children of the forest” become a vanished people?

1) Republic of the Congo, Congo (Brazzaville), state in the Center. Africa. Name based on the location of the state on the lower right bank. river flow Congo, and a significant part of its population is the Kongo (Bakongo) people. Also used informally... Geographical encyclopedia

May have the following meanings: The Kongo language word Kongo (Kongo Kongo) comes from the self-name of the Kongo people (Kongo kongo literally “hunters”), or Bakongo, which means “Kongo people”. The word became the name of a language, a state... ... Wikipedia

I (Zaire) (Congo, Zaüre), p. in Central Africa, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 4320 km (from the source of the Lualaba River). In terms of basin area (3.7 million km2) and water content (average water flow 46 thousand m3/s) it ranks first in Africa and... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Congo (Kinshasa) Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo with its capital in Kinshasa, formerly Zaire) is a state in Central Africa, the largest country in Africa by area (2.3 million sq. km). 9/10 of its territory is in the Congo River basin. At the extreme... ... Geographical encyclopedia

CONGO, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo Kinshasa, in 1971 1997 Zaire) (Republique Democratic du Congo), a state in Central Africa, the largest country on the continent by area (2.3 million km2). Borders with the Republic of Congo, Angola, Zambia,... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Republic of the Congo (Republique du Congo), a state in the Center. Africa. 342 thousand km². population 2.8 million people (1993), mainly the peoples of the Congo, Teke, Mboshi and others. Urban population 46%. Official language is French. Catholic believers... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Congo, People's Republic of the Congo (La République Populaire du Congo), a state in Central Africa. It borders in the West with Gabon, in the North with Cameroon and the Central African Republic, in the east and south with the Republic of Zaire, in the south with... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Congo (Brazzaville) Congo (People's Republic of the Congo with its capital in Brazzaville) is a state in Central Africa; occupies 342 thousand sq. km, stretching for almost a thousand km from north to south on both sides of the equator along the right bank of the Congo River (in its... ... Geographical encyclopedia

CONGO, Republic of the Congo (French: Republique du Congo), a state in Central Africa, washed in the southwest by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Area 342 thousand km2. Population 3.8 million people (2007).… … encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Congo), People's Republic of the Congo (Republique Populaire du Congo), state in the Center. Africa. The southwest is washed by the Atlantic. OK. Pl. 342 thousand km2. Hac. 1.6 million people (1984, evaluation). The capital is Brazzaville. Adm. terr. division: 9 adm. regions and... ... Geological encyclopedia

Congo- CONGO. I. K. Belgian, former independent neutral. state under Belgian sovereignty. King, since 1907 Belg. colony, lies to the west. parts center Africa; area 2,069,463 sq. ver.; borders on the west from Portugal. colony of Cabinda and the French... ... Military encyclopedia

Books

• Congo Requiem, Grange J.-C.. Jean-Christophe Grange, who recently amazed his fans with the top-notch thriller "Lontano", in the new novel "Congo Requiem" immerses the reader in the atmosphere of a chilling investigation of the chain...
• Congo Requiem, Grange Jean-Christophe. Jean-Christophe Grange, who recently amazed his fans with the top-notch thriller "Lontano", in the new novel "Congo Requiem" immerses the reader in the atmosphere of a chilling investigation into the chain...

What does each of us imagine when we hear the word “Congo”? Black people in Or maybe the expanses of savannas? Or a deep African river filled with large alligators? It turns out that this word has several meanings. It's time to find out what Congo is.

Meaning of the word

People living in Central Africa. Its other name is “bakongo”.

The language of the people belonging to the Bantu linguistic group. Its other name is “kikingo”.

The river is the largest on this continent, and in terms of water content and basin area - the second river in the world.

Depression in the Congo River Basin.

Democratic Republic, formerly called Zaire. The capital is the city of Kinshasa.

A republic that was a former colony of France. The capital is the city of Brazzaville.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The country is located in Central Africa, the capital is Kinshasa. It borders countries such as the Central African Republic, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia and the Republic of Congo. Africa is the home of the world's least developed and developing countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the first. According to IMF data for 2012, it is the poorest state on our planet.

Why is this republic lagging behind in its development? First of all, because it was a colonial country for a long time. More recently, in 1960, the state ceased to depend on the developed European country of Belgium. Before this, the republic was its colony. The second thing that hinders the country is the climate of the Congo (Republic). It is mostly equatorial, which means it is always hot here. The scorching sun burns the crops of the population. Sufficient precipitation falls only on the banks of rivers. The development of livestock farming is hampered by the concentrations of tsetse flies observed here, which carry dangerous diseases.

History of the country's development

Many centuries ago, the territory of the modern republic was inhabited by pygmy tribes. These short inhabitants of Africa lived mainly in forests, hunting and gathering.

In the 2nd millennium BC. e. The country of Congo became a haven for agricultural Bantu tribes. These peoples were engaged in agriculture. They brought agriculture and metallurgy with them. They knew how to make iron tools. The Bantu created the first states in this territory, one of which was called the Kingdom of Congo. It arose in the 14th century. Its capital was the city of Mbanza Congo (now San Salvador). At the end of the 15th century, the Portuguese appeared in this territory. They came to the mouth of the Congo River. This is where the black page of the slave trade in our history begins. Soon after the Portuguese, other European powers rushed to Africa for “profitable goods.” The slave trade has become the most profitable means of enriching developed countries. The entire territory of the African continent was soon divided between European countries into colonies. Slaves were exported from the Kingdom of Kongo mainly to work on American plantations. In 1876, the Belgians entered the territory of the state. Since 1908, this country has become a colony of this European power. The enslaved peoples had to wait more than 50 years to gain independence. This happened in 1960. A year earlier, the National Movement, led here, won elections to the local parliament. In 1971, the Republic of the Congo was renamed Zaire. In 1997 it received its modern name.

Population

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to just over 70 million people. The country is agricultural. Therefore, most of the population lives in villages.

City dwellers make up only 34% of the total number of people. The average life expectancy here is low: for women - 57 years, for men - 53 years. This is due to the difficult economic situation in the republic. Also, the low level of medicine contributes to the high mortality rate of the population. Its ethnic composition is very rich: more than 200 different nationalities live here, among which the main groups are Bantu, Luba, Mongo, Mangbetu-Azande and Kongo. The official language is French.

Economy of the country

As mentioned above, this state is the poorest in the world. And this despite the fact that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a leader in the presence of many minerals in the bowels of the earth. Here are the largest reserves of cobalt, tantalum, germanium, diamonds, copper, zinc, tin and so on. There are large deposits of oil, iron ore, coal, gold and silver. Plus, the heritage of this country is its forests and water resources. Despite all this, the state remains an agricultural country.

Moreover, they are mainly engaged in crop production. Every year, sugar, coffee, tea, palm oil, quinine, bananas and other fruits, corn, and root vegetables are exported from the country abroad. In 2002, there was strong economic growth. However, starting in 2008, it slowed down due to falling demand and prices for export goods.

Republic of the Congo

This country is also located in Central Africa. Its capital is the city of Brazzaville. It borders countries such as Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The climate here is mainly equatorial and only in the south is it subequatorial. It is always very humid in the north of the country.

History of development

Once upon a time, pygmies lived on the territory of the modern country. Then the Bantu peoples came here, practicing hoe and slash-and-burn agriculture. They grew yams, legumes, and sorghum. In 1482, the country of Congo became the site of a Portuguese expedition. And in the 15th century the French came here and concluded a protectorate agreement with all coastal tribes. From 1885 to 1947, this state was a colony of France, which not only exported slaves from here, but also mined copper ore here. In 1960, the country was able to achieve independence from European powers. Then the world learned what the Congo was. The first president here was Fulber Yulu, who was soon overthrown from this post. Several coups awaited the country ahead, during which power passed from one successor to another.

Climate, flora and fauna: description

Congo is an amazing country. If we say a few words about its climate, it will look like this: it is constantly humid and hot here. There are two rainy seasons in the republic: from January to March and from April to May. The coolest months are July and August. Half of the territory is occupied by equatorial tropical forests.

The flora here is very widely represented: mahogany, limba, sapeli, palm trees, chitola, ayus and much more. The fauna is also rich. Buffaloes, elephants, hippos, leopards, monkeys, snakes, and birds live here.

Economy and culture

Tourism is poorly developed in the Republic of the Congo. The peculiarities of its climate, unfavorable for Europeans, do not allow the establishment of this sector of the economy. The basis of the country's economic profitability is oil production and export. Agriculture here is poorly developed. The main crops grown are tapioca, rice, corn, sugar cane, cocoa, coffee and vegetables. Soap, cigarettes, beer and cement are also produced here. Most of these goods are exported. The largest buyers of this country's products are America, China and France.

Population culture

The local population here has a very rich, original folklore. Songs and folk dances are its basis. The craftsmen of this country are engaged in wood carving. It is used to cover not only pottery, various objects, furniture, and gourd vessels. There are also many talented artists here who create their paintings based on local traditions.

The deep Congo is the second longest river on the mainland

The mysterious continent of Africa hides many mysteries. One of them is the Congo River, which crosses the equator twice.

Until now, it has been little studied. In its upper reaches it is called Lualaba. This is near the settlement of Mumena. Lualaba is a river with a changeable “character”. Rapid areas through which water flows rapidly alternate with flat and calm areas. Below the city of Kongolo, where it is met by the Port d gorge, it forms rapids and waterfalls. The most beautiful of them are located under the equator. They are called Stanley Falls. After them, the river is already called Congo. In its average course it becomes calmer. The mouth of the Congo River is the Atlantic Ocean.

"Terrible" and "beautiful"

It is difficult to describe in words the impression this river makes on a traveler. The novelist in his book “Heart of Darkness” said that finding yourself here is like returning to “the beginnings of the world, when vegetation was rampant on the earth and giant trees soared.” What is the Congo (river) in the equatorial forest, where does it originate? hell: impenetrable thickets of huge 60-meter oaks, ebony trees and rubber trees, under the crowns of which eternal twilight reigns. And below, in the darkness, in the warm waters of the river, danger lurks at every step: crocodiles, cobras, pythons. To this should be added the terrifying heat and unbearable humidity, swarms of mosquitoes. And yet the Congo River amazes with its grandeur and beauty. She rushes at great speed. At the mouth of the river, where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean, you can see a large reddish-brown patch of rocks that the river carries from the very savannahs. Its waters are full of fish. Here they catch tilapia, Nile elephant, berbel, freshwater herring, tiger fish and more. In total, more than 1,000 different species of commercial fish live here. Several large hydroelectric power stations were built on the river, the largest of which is called Inga.

We learned about the Congo. It turned out that this word has several meanings: it is both the largest river in Africa and two completely different states. We described each of these objects in detail.

After all, it is the most full-flowing. In addition, it gave its name to two countries located on its shores, which is why these two republics are even confused.

One of these countries is the Republic of the Congo, which is smaller and located to the west, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo has a huge area and is located in the middle.

The first of the republics was previously called Middle Congo, while it was a French colony. After liberation from foreign rule, it was called the People's Republic of the Congo.

The location is elongated, almost from north to south, along the Congo River. Accordingly, most lands are represented by accumulative plains, characteristic of the local depression. There are also many swamps and various rivers, which are tributaries of the Congo and others:

• Ubangi;
• Neary;
• Quim.

Therefore, local shipping routes are huge, but they are often problematic due to swampiness, and this is also hampered by waterfalls and rapids.

The climate here, as throughout the Central Region, is equatorial. In the southern part the situation is as follows:

• driest - June-September, 21 degrees Celsius;
• the most humid is March-April, 30 degrees.

In the center, the climatic features are different - it is hottest in January, and humid in July. In the north, the Republic of Congo is as humid and hot as possible.

In this republic, the majority of those fellow citizens who want to live in a city rather than a village come here. Also major cities are:

• Lubomo;
• Pointe-Noire.

At the same time, these settlements are characterized by high unemployment rates. And yet this country has features that are distinctive from other states in the region:

• education level of adult citizens is about 63%;
• a large number of hired workers;
• influence and organization of trade unions.

The second republic called Congo has the prefix “Democratic”. During the period of colonization, it was subject to Belgium, then gained independence and became known as the Republic of Zaire. It acquired its modern name in 1997.

This republic has one of the largest African cities on the mainland. It attracts with its many faces and heterogeneity, but many are scared off by the poverty that exists over a large territory.

And the whole country is practically the poorest on the planet, and this despite the presence of the largest reserves of important natural resources:

• diamonds;
• cobalt;
• germanium;
• Uranus;
• copper;
• tin;
• tantalum;
• oil;
• silver;
• gold.

In addition to these deposits, there are other reserves, as well as a lot of forest resources and hydropower.

In many ways, long civil wars had a negative impact on the economy; after 2002, the situation began to improve, only slowly and irregularly.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has significant lands, but most of them are still undeveloped, due to the peculiarities of the climate - heat and humidity. However, thanks to this, the local nature has been preserved in an often untouched form.

The landscapes here are mostly flat, with hills and mountains on the outskirts. The east of the country is rich in volcanoes, some of which are active and frozen. The territory is also rich in rivers and lakes, and there are also picturesque waterfalls.

Such evergreen landscapes definitely attract tourists, but more interesting are the animals that live in these conditions. Their number is huge, here you can find typical African inhabitants:

• lions;
• antelope;
• giraffes;
• turtles;
• hyenas;
• zebras;
• crocodiles;
• hippos;
• lemurs.

Okapi are especially distinguished, as this species is beautiful and unusual.

There are also a large number of birds, fish and insects:

• ostriches;
• flamingo;
• bustards;
• perches;
• pike;
• termites;
• tsetse fly;
• bees;
• malaria mosquitoes.

A visit to this republic will definitely become a landmark, because here you can experience the essence of the entire nature of Central Africa, observing its inhabitants in their natural environment.

The number of citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is increasing rapidly, as the birth rate is higher than the death rate. However, rarely does anyone live to old age (at least 60 years), and this is largely due to the difficult climate for living.

About a third of the population is urban; most often they prefer to go to Kinshasa. The country has many nationalities, each of which can speak their own language, but almost everyone understands French, which is a relic from the colonial period.

Although the country has rich mineral deposits, the mining industry is unable to operate at full capacity due to the crisis. Therefore, the economy is maintained at its current level thanks to agriculture. The following crops are grown in large quantities:

• cocoa;
• coffee;
• rubber;
• peanut;
• cotton;
• bananas.

These goods, as well as natural resources, are exported to various countries on all continents.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a West African country stretching along the right bank of the river. Congo in the middle reaches, with access to the Atlantic Ocean. The area is 342 thousand km2.

The territory of the Congo is located on both sides of the equator. It occupies the western part of the Congo Basin, as well as the belt of highlands that separates it from the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean coast is framed by a strip of lowlands 40 - 50 km wide, further to the east stretch the low Mayombe mountains with average heights of 300 - 500 m. Even further east is the Niari-Nyanga depression (about 200 m high). Its central part is a limestone plain, where karst phenomena are widely developed. In the north and east, the depression is limited by the spurs of the Shayu Mountains, more than 700 m high, and in the southeast by the Cataract Plateau. The central part of the Congo is occupied by the vast Bateke plateau, to which the highest point of the country is located - the city of Leketi (1040 m). The entire northeastern territory of the country is occupied by a swampy river valley that is often flooded during floods. Congo.

Relief of the Republic of Congo

The surface of the Republic of Congo resembles a huge dish, slightly inclined towards the Atlantic Ocean, the middle of which is formed by a vast depression of the river. Congo (Zaire), and the edges are a closed ring of hills. The bottom of the depression lies at an altitude of 300-400 m above sea level. sea ​​and is a swampy plain formed by wide river valleys. Zaire and its tributaries. The bottom of the depression is bordered by an amphitheater of terraces and terrace-like plateaus with a height of 500 to 1000 m. The northern belt of plateaus and hills forms a plateau, which serves as a watershed between the river basins. Zaire, on the one hand, r. Nile and lake Chad is on the other. In the southwest, the Congo basin is separated from a narrow strip of the coastal lowland of the Atlantic Ocean by the South Guinea Upland.

The heights along the southern edge of the depression are even more significant, where on the watershed of the Zaire and Zambezi rivers they reach 1200-1500 m or more. In the southeast of the country rise the flat-topped horst massifs of the Mitumba Mountains, the sandstone plateaus of Manika and Kundegungu.

The eastern edge of the country is the most elevated. Here, the western branch of the East African Rift Zone stretches in a giant arc from north to south. The chain of the Great African Lakes - Tanganyika, Kivu, Idi-Amin-Dada, Mobutu-Sese Seko - is located in this fault zone. In one of the side spurs of the main fault depression lies lake. Mveru, in the other - part of the upper reaches of the river passes. Zaire.

Along the edges of fault depressions, mountain ranges reach 2000-3000 m, their slopes are steep ledges. The Rwenzori massif on the border of Zaire and Uganda has the greatest height with the third highest peak in Africa - Margherita Peak (5,109 m).

Between the lake Idi-Amin-Dada in the north and lake. Kivu is located in the south of the Virunga Mountains. This area is characterized by strong seismicity. There are more than 100 volcanoes, the highest is the extinct volcano Karisimbi (4507 m). Its round top is covered from time to time with a snow cap sparkling in the sun.

There are also active volcanoes. This is Nyi-ragongo (3470 m) and located north of Nyamlagira (3058 m). The eruption was especially strong in 1938-1940. Nyiragongo has long been considered an extinct volcano. However, studies conducted at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries alerted scientists. A fiery liquid lava lake was discovered in the ring-shaped crater of the volcano. On one clear night in 1927, the Nyiragongo crater lit up with clouds of gases. Since then, Nyiragongo has not calmed down for a minute. It erupted in 1938 and 1948. Since the early 70s, his activity has increased again. In 1977, there was the most powerful eruption: hot lava destroyed the surrounding villages, burned out vegetation, destroyed roads, and left thousands of people homeless.

Minerals of the Republic of Congo

In terms of diversity and mineral reserves, Congo (Zaire) is one of the richest countries not only in Africa, but also in the world. The region of Shaba, which scientists call a “geological miracle,” is richest in them. Deposits of copper ore (“shaba” means “copper”), which is accompanied by cobalt, zinc, uranium, silver, radium, molybdenum, nickel and other metals, are located in a folded system composed of Upper Precambrian deposits. The Shaba “Copper Belt,” up to 100 km wide and more than 400 km long, stretches from northwest to southeast and goes into neighboring Zambia. Total copper reserves are estimated at 27-36 million tons, the metal content in ore is on average 4%.

Large deposits of tin ore - cassiterite, located mainly in the Kivu region and in the north of Shaba, are associated with granites of the folded system, which extends in these areas in a north-easterly direction. Tin is often accompanied by rare metals - tantalum, niobium (the country ranks first in the world in terms of their reserves), as well as tungsten and beryllium.

Congo is rich in diamonds. Their placers, contained in the Upper Cretaceous sandy series of Kwango, are located in the regions of Western Kasai and Eastern Kasai on an area of ​​400 thousand square meters. km. On average per 1 cubic. m of placer accounts for one carat of diamonds. There are significant vein and placer gold deposits in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country. Oil-bearing horizons have been discovered in the ocean shelf zone and in a number of inland areas. Haute-Congo Zaire has oil shale reserves that have not yet been exploited. High-quality iron ores have also been found in Shaba. They are also available in other parts of the country. Deposits of manganese have been identified in several places. The subsoil of Zaire is rich in bauxite and coal, natural gas and asbestos, potassium salts and sulfur, barite and titanium ores, etc. Apparently, further geological exploration will lead to the discovery of new mineral deposits.

Climate of the Republic of Congo

The climate of the Republic of Congo, located in the equatorial and subequatorial climatic zones, is generally hot. There is no clearly defined alternation of seasons. Regional climatic differences are very noticeable. They are manifested primarily in the amount of precipitation and the time of its occurrence and, to some extent, in temperature differences. In that part of the country located between 3° N. w. and 3° S. sh., the climate is equatorial, constantly humid. It is warmest here in March and April - on average 25-28°, cooler in July-August, although even then the thermometer can show 28° during the day, but the daily temperature drops at this time reach 10-15°. Precipitation in this zone is 1700-2200 mm per year. Particularly heavy rainfall occurs from March to May and from September to November. But in other months, precipitation also falls in the form of short and rare rains. After them, mango fruits begin to ripen, and locals call such rains “mango.”

Rains in the equatorial zone most often occur in the afternoon. The air heated by the sun is saturated with evaporation from the surface of reservoirs. The sky, which remained cloudless from morning until midday, is covered in powerful thunderclouds. A strong wind rises, and torrents of water fall to the ground amid deafening rumbles of thunder. Unique precipitation records have been recorded in areas located along the equator. Thus, in Mbandaka, 150 mm of precipitation once fell in one day, and in Boenda, 100 mm fell in 1.5 hours. Usually after 2-2.5 hours the equatorial shower ends and a clear, quiet night sets in. The stars shine brightly, the air becomes cooler, and by morning fog appears in the lowlands. In the southernmost part of Zaire, the climate is subequatorial, more precisely, equatorial-monsoon. The rains here are brought by the equatorial monsoon, which is replaced in the second half of the year by the southeast trade wind, bringing dry tropical air that produces almost no precipitation. In the extreme south, 1000-1200 mm falls per year.

The higher the area above sea level, the cooler it is. On the high plateaus of the Shaba region, the average temperature in October is 24°, and in July it is only 16°. The daily differences are also significant here, reaching 22°. Occasionally in the mornings, light frost covers the soil in open, elevated areas. In the mountains of eastern Zaire, average annual temperatures are 5-6° lower than in the Congo basin, which lies at the same latitude. Precipitation here reaches up to 2500 mm per year. The Rwenzori massif is crowned with a cap of eternal snow.

Water resources of the Republic of Congo

Zaire has the densest river network in central Africa and the continent. The rivers, fed by rain and partly by underground springs, are rich in water and abound in waterfalls and rapids. Areas of rapids and rapids are interspersed with areas with calm currents. It is unlikely that it will be possible to find any significant river in the country that is navigable along its entire length. Many waterfalls are known for their picturesqueness. Flowing under the canopy of the forests of the Ituri region. Isakhe forms a multi-stage waterfall “Staircase of Venus”: here each of the low thresholds is, as it were, crowned with an intricate water lace. The Guillaume waterfalls, which are formed by three branches of the river, are very unique. Kwango. The water here falls from a 30-meter height into a narrow and deep crevice. In the Shaba region on the river. Lovoi is home to the 340-meter Kaloba Falls, considered the highest of all vertical waterfalls in Africa.

The flat areas of the area are periodically flooded or swamped, and this hinders their economic development. Small rivers in the northeast of the country belong to the Nile basin. All other rivers belong to the river basin. Congo. Within the Republic of Zaire lies 60% of the area of ​​this river basin.

The great African river called Lualaba originates on an elevated plateau near the border with Zambia and flows for many kilometers like a water snake, getting lost in swamps formed among tree-covered hills. In its uppermost reaches the river is not navigable. Here it only gains strength and, narrowing in some places to a width of 30 meters, flows in the Mitumba Mountains between steep cliffs reaching 400 meters in height. Passing through the southern spurs of these mountains, the river forms the Nzilo rapids. Here, in a 70-kilometer section, the drop of the river bed is 475 m.

North of these rapids the river calms down, and from the city of Bukama for 666 km it serves as a good route of communication. However, just beyond the town of Kongolo the river becomes unnavigable again. Roaring and rearing, it overcomes the Port d'Enfer (Hell's Gate) gorge, which narrows to 100 m, and then forms five rapids in the crystalline rocks; up to Kibombo it flows calmly, but in the section from Kibombo to Kindu its flow again becomes stormy, until the Shambo waterfalls are left behind. Behind them, the river calms down and flows for more than 300 km, as if gaining strength, to overcome the seven-stage Stanley Falls and fall from a 40-meter height into the central basin.

Outside the city of Kisangani r. The Congo (Zaire) becomes a typically lowland river. As if reluctantly, it washes the sandy shores of numerous large and small islands covered with forest, sometimes spreading 15 kilometers or more in width. Often the equatorial forest approaches the water like a wall, in which only here and there are clearings; on them the huts of the villages are huddled together.

Below Kisangani the river receives its main tributaries on the right and left. South of Kinshasa, the river forms a chain of more than 70 waterfalls, named after the famous English traveler D. Livingston. They stretch for about 350 km, the difference in levels is 270 m. The character of the river changes again: again its waters roar and foam in whirlpools, crash against rocks, fall from ledges, not slowing down their run towards the ocean for a second. At Matadi, the river flow slows down, it becomes wider and deeper. The river carries such a mass of water into the Atlantic Ocean that 75 km from its mouth the sea remains fresh, and the characteristic yellowish tint of the water can be traced 300 km from the coast.

The country's inland lakes are the remnants of an ancient lake-sea that once filled the entire central basin. The largest of them is Lake. Mai-Ndombe. It is notable for the fact that during the rainy season its area increases more than 3 times.

Despite the abundance of inland waters, the system of navigable river routes exists only in the Congo Basin and has no access to the ocean due to waterfalls and rapids in the lower reaches of the river. Congo.

The Congo River is the largest river in Central Africa and the most abundant river in the world after the Amazon. Its lower reaches have been known to Europeans since the 16th century, and the rest since 1877 (the time when Stanley explored it). The Congo rises at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level, about 9° south latitude and 32° east longitude, between lakes Niassa and Tanganaikoi, skirting the southern side of Lake Bangweola, receiving its source. From here, under the name Luapula, it meanders for 300 kilometers to Lake Meru or Mkata, at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level, and then, heading north-northwest, connects with Ancora at 6 ° 30` south latitude, then with Adalaba at 27° east longitude. At 5°40` south latitude and 26°45` east longitude it receives Lukugu, the source of Lake Tanganaiki; rushing north, it connects with Luama and, reaching a width of 1,000 meters, under the name of Lualaba, enters the land of Manyema at 4°15` south latitude and 26°16` east longitude. Between Nyonga and the equator, the Congo is navigable and flows directly north, receiving in its path many as yet unexplored rivers, rising among gigantic forests.

From Niangwa, towards the mouth, the Congo ceases to be navigable, due to the rapids and Stanley Falls found here, but then becomes navigable again to the mouth of Kassai and here, taking in the Aruvimi, it expands to 20 kilometers and flows through a marshy area rich in lakes; then the channel of the Congo narrows again. Connecting with the last tributary, the Congo channel narrows with mountains and, on the way to Vivi, the river forms 32 waterfalls - the Livingston rapids. Between Banana and Shark Point, the Congo flows into the Atlantic Ocean in a channel 11 kilometers wide and 300 meters deep, bringing 50,000 cubic meters of water per second into the sea, and carrying fresh water on its surface for 22 kilometers. At 40 km the Congo has tides, then at 64 km the color of the water is light tea, and at 450 km it is brown. From the mouth, for 27 km, the Congo dug a subsea channel for itself. It annually introduces 35,000,0000 cubic meters of solid particles into the sea. Flood occurs twice a year, at the mouth the highest water is in May and December, the lowest in March and August; During high water, the muddy waters of the Congo are visible hundreds of kilometers away in the ocean.

Tributaries of the Congo: Aruvimi (right), Ruby (right), Mongalla (right), Mobangi (right), Saaga Mambere (right), Likuala Lekoli (right), Alima (right), Lefini (right), Lomami (left ), Lulongo (left), Ikelemba (left), Ruki (left), Kassai (left), Lualaba (left)

Flora and soils of the Republic of Congo

More than half of Zaire's territory is occupied by evergreen tropical rainforests. About 50 tree species that are especially valuable for their timber grow here, including ebony, iroko, okume, etc. Under these forests, thick red-yellow ferralite soils are developed. By themselves they are infertile. Only the decomposition of organic residues, which the forest itself provides in large quantities, maintains the natural fertility of these soils. When forests are cleared, soils are quickly depleted. In the most depressed areas of the Congo Basin, where the flow of river water is especially slow, hydromorphic laterite-i-lei alluvial soils are developed.

A narrow strip of the river estuary. The Congo is covered with mangrove forest, under which swampy soils predominate, containing large amounts of silt brought by the river.

As you move away from the equator, forests become sparser; they grow only along river banks. If the river is not wide, the crowns of the trees close over the riverbed, forming shady vaults, which is why such forests are called gallery forests. A significant part of Zaire's territory is occupied by tall grass savanna. It dominates in the south, as well as in large areas in the Bandundu region, and north of the equator - in the basins of the Uele and Ubangi rivers. In some places in the savanna you can find separate groves where the trees are located at a sufficient distance from each other. This is the so-called park savanna.

In the tall grass savanna, red ferralitic soils are formed, the humus content in the upper layer of which reaches 8%. Cultivation of agricultural crops entails rapid depletion of soils, the fertility of which can be restored by applying large amounts of fertilizers. In the extreme south and southeast of the country, brown-red, slightly leached soils are developed under the park savannah. They are more fertile and, given enough moisture, can produce good harvests.

In the mountainous regions of eastern Zaire, up to approximately 3000 m altitude, vegetation similar to that of the plains grows. The slopes of the mountains are covered with humid equatorial forests, in the upper belt of which conifers appear - podocarpus, tree-like junipers, and tree ferns. At an altitude of 3000-3500 m thickets of bamboo and tree-like heather predominate; above them they are replaced by high-mountain meadows. Above 4000 m, only mosses and lichens grow. The soils of mountainous regions, developed on volcanic deposits, are very fertile.

Wildlife of the Republic of the Congo

The wildlife of the Congo is extremely rich and diverse. The equatorial forests of the central basin are the habitat of prosimians - lemurs and a small fur-bearing animal - the night tree hyrax. Among the land mammals found in these forests are pygmy antelopes, wild pigs, warthogs, and long-haired boars. Okapi, which live only in Zaire, are very beautiful, attractive with their variegated coloring: transverse white stripes are not located throughout their body, like zebras, but only along the croup and limbs. Okapi's neck and legs are shorter than those of giraffes; These meek and timid animals feed on leaves and rarely leave the thicket of the forest. One of the national parks, Kahuzi-Biegu, is located 30 km from Bukavu in the equatorial forest. Mountain gorillas can be seen here.

To do this, you need to make a multi-hour climb into the mountains. Having passed the tea plantations located at an altitude of 1500-1800 m and lined with silvery eucalyptus trees, a narrow, barely visible path rushes upward, often getting lost in the coastal silt. Meeting gorillas is a rare success, but the animals are not shy and have sometimes allowed people to come within 5-10 m of them. Gorillas live in the forests on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains in small herds, lead a mainly terrestrial lifestyle, feeding on plant foods. Hunting of these rare animals is prohibited.

The savannah is inhabited by antelopes, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs; Elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses also live here. The now extremely rare white rhinoceroses are also found. There are many crocodiles and hippos in the rivers and lakes. Lizards, turtles, and snakes can be found everywhere. Most snakes are poisonous - cobras, black and green mamba, vipers, there are also non-venomous snakes - pythons.

The world of birds, large and small, flying and running, is extremely diverse. In the savannah there are ostriches, sunbirds, partridges, quails, bustards, guinea fowl, and in the forests - peacocks, parrots, thrushes, woodpeckers, hoopoes, banana eaters, along the river banks - herons, storks, kingfishers, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, marabou, etc. d.

Rivers and lakes abound with fish. In Zaire there are about a thousand species of fish: perch, pike, tiger fish, catfish, lungfish, eels, etc.; In cave reservoirs there lives a blind fish with a pale pink, scaleless body. Tarpon and barracuda are found in the coastal ocean waters.

There are many insects in the country: butterflies, wasps, various beetles, bees, termites, red, black, white ants. Malarial mosquitoes and tsetse flies pose a great danger to large animals and humans.

Population of the Republic of the Congo

The population of the Republic of Congo is 2.95 million people (2003). Congo is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa. The northern regions of the country, covered with forests and swamps, are practically uninhabited. The average population density of Congo is 8.6 people/km2. OK. 80% of the population consists of peoples of the Bantu linguistic group: Kongo, Teke, Bangi, Kota, Mboshi, etc. also live. Pygmies have survived in the depths of the forests, living mainly by hunting. The official language is French. 40% of believers are Catholics, St. 24% are Protestants. A third of the population of the Republic of Congo adheres to local traditional beliefs, there are Muslims. Urban population 59%.

Source - http://zaire.name/