Zaire

Facts

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.