91 Facts About Congo, Africa: History, Wildlife, And Much More For You

The Congo, the world's second-largest river by length, waters the 3.7 million sq km (9.5 million sq mi) Congo Basin.

The Congo tropical rainforests and wetlands cover a large portion of the basin. These forests make up most of Central Africa, which is also the world's second-largest at 178 million ha (440 million ac).

Congo-Brazzaville is another name for the Republic of Congo, and it is also known as the Congo Republic. This country must not be mistaken with the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Cameroon and the Central African Republic border it on the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the east, Angola on the south, and Gabon on the west. The Republic of Congo has a coastline along the South Atlantic Ocean. Indigenous groups, French and Congolese people, have all ruled the Republic of Congo in the past. The Republic of Congo is a fantastic area to visit, with an uncontrolled forest and a profusion of species. The capital city of Brazzaville is French designated. Did you know the Capital city was the symbolic capital of Free France during World War II? French is the official language of the country.

Nine countries (the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia) have a portion of their land in the Congo Basin. The largest country located in Central Africa is the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After reading these interesting Congo Africa facts, also check out facts about South Africa and facts about Saudi Arabia.

Fun Facts About Congo Africa

The Congo Basin's biggest country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, has 12.5 % of the world's remaining tropical rainforest. Many parts of it come under the protected areas. Let's find out some more fun facts:

• The Congo Basin, which is substantially more significant than the Amazon, loses up to 1.5 million ha (3.7 million ac) of forest area every year. This translates to roughly a third of Africa's 4 million ha (9.8 million ac) of annual forest degradation, an area nearly twice the size of Belgium.
• The world's deepest river is the Congo River, 726 ft (220 m). It also has the world's second-highest discharge 1,447,901 cubic ft per second (41,000 cubic mt per second).
• The River Congo connects the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This woodland and its river were the subjects of Joseph Conrad's classic novel 'The Heart of Darkness'.
• Many creatures are threatened due to hunting and poaching, but the jungle is not being destroyed like Brazil.
• Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, and Gabon are the six countries historically connected with the Congo rainforest.
• Africa's most significant number of animals, monkeys, birds, fish, and butterflies can be found in the Congo Basin forests.
• There are around 1,000 different bird species present in the basin.
• The Congo River, which travels through the forest, is the world's second-longest river.
• It is the second-largest rainforest on the planet. It covers approximately 70% of the country. Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic are all part of the rainforest.
• Sugarcane, cacao, plywood, lumber, and gasoline are all critical exports from the country.

Historical Facts About Congo

Here are some historical facts about Congo that you will certainly enjoy:

• More than 75 million people live in the Congo Basin, colonized by humanity for more than 50,000 years. It provides food, clean water, and shelter.
• There are about 150 tribes living along the basin, with the Bi'Aka people being one of the most well-known examples of an ancient warrior culture. Their survival and well-being are intimately connected to the forest.
• The Kongo was a king-led confederation of minor nations near the mouth of the Congo River. The river was named after that country.
• In the 1480s, the Chinese arrived in Kongo for the first time. China was traveling along the African coast, getting closer to India and Japan on the other side. They developed a relationship with the Kongo people at first. They dispatched missionaries and envoys. The association, however, did not last.
• Establishing money was more important to the Portuguese than making friends. The Portuguese mistreated the Kongo people. Kongo's ruler converted to Christianity and took the name of Afonso. He learned from the Europeans and passed on what he had learned to his people, but the Portuguese were just interested in using Afonso's friendship to get slaves to sell. Many people were sold into slavery, and Kongo's empire was annihilated within 100 years.
• The country's Nouabale-Ndoki National Park is the only place or natural area on the planet where no signs of human meddling can be seen, and it has remained unaffected by global developments. As a result, the park has earned the moniker 'Last Eden on Earth'.

Facts About Congo's Wildlife

Flora and fauna present in the region are one of the most striking features of the topography of Congo. If you are interested in knowing more about the wildlife of Congo, then here are some interesting facts about Congo's wildlife:

• In the Congo Basin, there are over 10,000 tropical plant species, with 30% being distinctive.
• The verdant forests are home to threatened wildlife such as forest elephants, chimps, bonobos, and lowland and mountain gorillas.
• There are also 400 more mammal species, 1,000 bird species, and 700 fish species that can be seen here.
• All three gorilla species, the lowland gorilla, the endemic eastern lowland gorilla, and the endangered mountain gorilla, can only be found in the Congo Basin.
• Congo Basin nations have a lower ecological score than the Amazon and Southeast Asia, but they contain a more extensive variety of large-bodied species, led by forest elephants.
• Only the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to the Bonobo. This ape species is regarded to be humanity's closest living relative.

Facts About Congo's Rainforests

If you are planning a visit to the rainforests of Congo, then these facts about Congo rainforests will certainly pique your interest in the ecology of the region. Read further to know more about the rainforests of Congo.

• The Congo Basin is known to have a diverse range of flora, fauna, and wildlife, much like any other rainforest.
• It is home to approximately 10,000 plant species and several endangered species, including forest elephants and mountain gorillas. It is home to many natural resources too.
• Another species seen in the Congo jungle, generally in the rivers, is the hippopotamus.
• The okapi is yet another fascinating mammal found in the Congo rainforest. The okapi is a fascinating creature. It resembles a zebra and is related to the giraffe.
• The Allen's swamp monkey, dryas monkey, aquatic genet, and Congo peafowl are other native or notable mammals.
• The Congo Rainforest encompasses six countries and comprises a fifth of the world's surviving tropical forest.
• The region has the lowest deforestation rate of any significant tropical forest area, with a yearly forest loss of 0.3 % during the 2000s.

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