|
Zaire
Facts
|
Continent
|
Africa
|
|
Countries
it flows through
|
Zaire,
Congo, Angola
|
|
Length
|
4700
kilometres
|
|
Number
of tributaries
|
7
|
|
Source
|
Zaire-Zambia
border
|
|
Mouth
|
Zaire-Angola
border into the Atlantic Ocean
|
Location
Map reproduced from the Oxford Practical Atlas with permission
from Oxford University Press.
The
Zaire is the second longest river in Africa. It flows through tropical
rainforest and grasslands on its way to its mouth
in the Atlantic Ocean. The source
of the Zaire is the Lualaba River by the border of Zaire and Zambia.
From here it flows north and crosses the Equator where it then drops
down the mighty Boyoma Falls, a spectacular waterfall.
The
river then flows through tropical rainforest, following the border between
Congo and Zaire. The people of Zaire call the river "Zaire".
The people of Congo call it the "Congo". There are many rapids
found on the Zaire, both near its source and near its mouth. The
rapids are very useful to the people who live in Congo and Zaire. Many
species of fish live in the river. The fishermen have found a way of
catching the fish in the rapids.
Lots
of hippopotamuses live in the river too. They lie beneath the surface
of the water. Many other animals such as parrots, gorillas, monkeys,
hornbills, pythons and vipers live in the rainforest. The rainforest
creeps right up to the edge of the river banks.
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