Congo River

Congo River is the second longest river in Africa, after the Nile, and the second largest river in the world by discharge volume, following the Amazon River. It is also the world's deepest recorded river, with measured depths in excess of 220 m (720 ft).

Geography

The Congo River is about 4,700 km (2,920 mi) long and its drainage basin covers an area of 4,014,500 square kilometers (1,550,000 sq mi). Its main branch, the Lualaba River, rises in the highlands of northeastern Zambia between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Mweru.

Hydrology

The Congo's discharge at its mouth ranges from 23,000 cubic meters per second (810,000 cu ft/s) to 75,000 cubic meters per second (2,600,000 cu ft/s), with an average of 41,000 cubic meters per second (1,400,000 cu ft/s).

Flora and Fauna

The Congo River supports a large number of fish species, which are vital to the diets of people living along the river. The river also supports large populations of numerous large bird species.

Human Settlement

The Congo River is a lifeline for millions of people, providing a source of water, food, transport, and livelihoods. It also forms the backbone for the economies of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo.

See Also

• Nile River
• Amazon River
• Lualaba River
• Lake Tanganyika
• Lake Mweru
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Republic of the Congo

Congo River Resources
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