At first glance, the map of Central Africa makes it clear in which part of the mainland the Congo River flows. According to the prevailing opinion and the most common method among scientists to measure the length of this river, Congo almost completely flows through the territory of one country - the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But in some areas, it rushes its waters along the borders of this state.
In which part of the mainland does the Congo River flow
Both the Amazon and the Congo are among the greatest rivers that have an impressive impact not only on the ecology of the planet, but also on the history and culture of all mankind. They occupy the two top 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 elevations and the associated climate and landscape changes. Relatively high-altitude areas in which the river originates are replaced by flat landscapes, where the current is slow. This leads to a significant number of meander thickets along the coast.
Understanding in which part of the mainland the Congo River flows, one can also obtain some information about its economic significance for the state through which it flows. Significant rugged terrain does not contribute to significant river navigation, as its course is often interrupted by rapids, waterfalls and small, hard-to-pass lakes.
The significance of the river for the population
Having dealt with in which part of the mainland and in which direction the Congo River flows, it is worth paying attention to its environmental significance. Its waters are extremely rich in freshwater fish. Ichthyologists have more than a thousand species that live in the waters of the Congo.
In addition to fish resources, the river is also rich in energy resources, which are increasingly being 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 standard of living. But it is worth noting that the active construction of dams of 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 fauna that has developed along the course.
Infrastructure development
In conditions of impassable tropical forests and mountain systems, the river for centuries served as a natural way of communication between different settlements. True, before the Europeans arrived, the transport of goods and people was carried out on a relatively small scale. But as soon as European capital gained access to the wealth of the region, regular steamboat traffic began to take place along the river.
The fact in which part of the mainland the Congo River flows has caused the interest of Western entrepreneurs in the construction of marinas, ports and cargo terminals along the river and its mouth. The new infrastructure made it possible to export the natural resources extracted deep in the continent with maximum efficiency.