Kinshasa, Congo Travel Facts

Kinshasa, Congo
Heart of Africa

The Congo River - 

The legendary and literal “heart” of Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is inherently linked to the river that runs through it. The Congo River basin covers an area of more than a million square miles — including most of the country. The Congo is the world’s deepest river, and one of the longest. It is essential to the region’s economic and cultural existence.  

Rainfall - Located on the equator, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has an annual rainfall of about 60 inches. The country contains the world’s second-largest rain forest — only the Amazon rainforest is larger.

Like Zimbabwe, the DRC is rich in natural resources, including cobalt, copper,

cadmium, zinc, manganese, iron ore and many other heavy metals — in addition to diamonds, gold and silver. Unfortunately, these resources have invited both exploitation and corruption, leaving the DRC one of the poorest countries in the world. Adding to its troubles was the Second Congo War, from 1998 – 2003. With the loss of 5.4 million people, it was the deadliest war since WWII.

Wildlife - All of this hardship has taken a toll on the DRC’s remarkable wildlife, which includes chimpanzees, bonobos, and mountain gorillas. Bonobos,

close cousins to chimpanzees, are found only in the DRC. The Virunga Mountains, which border the DRC, are home to about half of Africa’s mountain gorillas.

Virunga National Park - You can still view these spectacular animals at Virunga National Park,

but don’t delay. The rising demand for “bush meat” has led to unchecked overhunting and poaching. This, in turn, has endangered all of the DRC’s great apes, causing concern about the possible extinction of humanity’s closest relatives.

Fun Fact: The crater of the volcanic Mount Nyiragongo in Goma

contains the largest lava lake in the world. It is a popular tourist attraction — just don’t get too close to the edge!

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