River Congo General information. What is Congo and where is it? Congo: Republic and river. The fastest river of the continent

Are you known interesting facts about the Congo River? Most often, knowledge about this river does not go beyond the school program on geography. Congo one of the most big rivers Planets, but they know much fewer people about it than about Nile, for example. It's time to enrich knowledge about the Congo.

  1. Congo - the deepest river planet. The river is headed by the rating of the deepest rivers of the Earth. The overall length of the river is striking, which is equal to 4375 kilometers.
  2. River pool - the second area on the planet. The river pool is located in the heart of Africa. It includes: Congo's depresso and the surrounding plateaus. The source of the river begins at the borders with Zambia. It has been established that the source of the Congo is still Lualab, although it was previously believed that it was the source of the Nile.
  3. The river inhabits the most terrible fish - Goliath. Many predatory fish are found in the Congo. Goliath is a terrible fish that has an ugly appearance, and has sharp, as a blade of teeth. Amazed its size. Its weight can reach 80 kg.
  4. Mouth of the Congo opened the portuguese. This happened at the end of the 15th century. Diego Kan, an experienced trader and navigator, made this discovery by chance. The Portuguese went to Africa to establish trading connections with the kingdom of the Congo, during the trip the edge he found a mouth.
  5. Congo Study cost many live travelers. Congo researchers had to endure heat and high humidity, they fought with terrible tropical fevers and the nature itself, which prevented the promotion of the mainland. Local residents, aborigines, were hostile to strangers.

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  6. David Livingston first saw the top course of the river. It happened in 1871. Scotman was just a step from an amazing discovery. He was not lucky enough to open what Lualaba belongs to the Congo basin, and not the Nile. This was done much later by his colleagues.

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  7. The first stations on the river were created under the patronage of the King of Belgium. Leopold II allocated the Stanley expedition funds, which began in 1881. On this money, the Englishman Stanley and built a number of necessary stations.

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  8. Congo has a developed shipping system. The shipping system includes the entire river basin. The total length of the paths is more than 20 thousand kilometers. The shipping system has a complex branched structure. On shipping paths are thousands of transportation ship daily.
  9. In the river dull different kinds fish. In lakes and rivers, which belong to the Congo basin, about 1000 species of fish live. Fishing is one of the types of earnings of local residents. Many species of fish have an important commercial value.

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  10. River twice crosses the equator. Congo crosses the equator, and then, turning to the West, and describing a grand arc, headed to the south, again crossing the equator.

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  11. The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is located off the coast of the Congo. Brazjaville is located on the right bank of the river. The third part of the population of the whole country lives in the capital and half of the able-bodied residents who are not engaged in agriculture.
  12. Congo Water - Energy Source. The river transfers large volumes of water, so it has a large hydropower potential. The river has already built 3 major hydropower plants.

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  13. Congo - River of unique resources. Geographers found traces of minerals on her shores. Near the river, deposits of various metals were found: nickel, zinc, silver, copper ore and radium.
  14. Congo pool - beautiful and picturesque place. The endless bank of the river is amazing with amazing landscapes. Mountain peaks continue evergreen tropical jungle, which are moving into the endless valleys.

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  15. Ecology of the Congo basin will change soon. Lately In this region, cutting down forests. Because of this, the percentage of carbon dioxide absorption was dramatically decreased. And it threatens to increase the temperature, climate change. For example, it is expected that the amount of precipitation in the Congo pool will be significantly reduced.

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Congo (Congo), the most centuries of the African River, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (partially proceeds on its borders with the Republic of Congo and Angola); In 1971-97, Zaire was called. The size of the pool and water content takes the 1st place in Africa and the 2nd (after Amazon) in the world. The length of the source of the Lualaba River (accepted for the source of the Congo) is 4370 km, from the source of the Chambashi River 4700 km. Pool area 3457 thousand km 2 (according to other data, 3820 thousand km 2). Blinds B. Atlantic Ocean. The river pool covers the Congo's depression with its edible plateau. According to the peculiarities of the structure of the valley is divided into the top, middle and lower Congo.

The upper Congo is a plot from the source Lualaby to the thresholds of the Boyoma. Lualaba originates at the Katang Plateau at an altitude of 1500 m, then flows from the southeast to the north-west on a relatively smooth plateau, then turns to the north and flows on a flat wetland. Slipping the southern sangs of Mount Mitumba, Congo enters the gorge Nyslo, forming numerous thresholds and waterfalls, here on a 70-kilometer segment The fall of the river is 475 m. After leaving the gorge and a small calm area, it will be lowered by a waterfall of Conde. Below is the city of Bukama (Democratic Republic of the Congo) flowing on a flat, strongly wetched plain with a variety of lakes (the largest - cabbage, bream, kitchen, Kabun). Within the plain, the river has a small slope, slow flow, moderate. Below the city of Congolo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Congo overcomes the narrow gorge of Port-d'Nfer (hellish gates, length of about 120 km, the width of the channel is 90-120 m) with thresholds and waterfalls. Further downstream is followed by a few more thoughts, alternating with sites of a quiet flow. Equator of the river is formed by the thresholds of the Boyom, below which the name of the Congo is obtained. The main tributaries of the Upper Congo - Lufira, Luvua, Lukuga, Luaama, Elila, Waldi, Lov, Maiko (Right) and Lubudi, Cake, Luvijo, Luke, Kasuka (left).

The middle Congo is a river area between the thresholds of the Boyoma and the Ozerid Expansion of the Malelex Pool River (area of \u200b\u200babout 650 km 2) with the island of Mbam. The average Congo is characterized by a slight bias, calm current, the presence of islands, sleeves and ducts, strong shores of shores and a large number of lakes. At this site, the river takes major tributaries - Aruvi, Ubanggi, Sanga (right); Lomami, Lulonga, Hands, KVA (Kaia) (left). Between the cities of Bolobo and the Quamut (Democratic Republic of the Congo), the channel narrows to 1.6-2.4 km.

Lower Congo - from the Male Bow to the mouth. In this section of the river, South-Guinean elevation is cut (up to 500 m) gorge, the width of the channel decreases to 400-500 m, in places until 220-250 m. The south of the city of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) forms Livingston Waterfalls. Below the river is breaking through the crystal mountains and goes to the seaside lowland. The lower Congo ends with Delta and Estoarium. Delta (area of \u200b\u200babout 1000 km 2, length 60 km, width up to 20 km) consists of several sleeves, many shames and islands. In the estuary (area of \u200b\u200babout 200 km 2, length 35 km) a large sea underwater canyon Congo is stretched for a distance of 28 km from the mouth. At the top of the canyon, the depth of the river is about 20 m, and the estuary increases to 220 m. The main influx of the Lower Congo - Loneg (left). Congo's pool large lakes Bangveulu, MVERU, Tanganic, Kivu and Mai Nombe.

The river pool is located in the equatorial and subequatorial climatic belts. The central part of the pool, timed to the coincidence of the Congo, is distinguished by the greatest moisture - over 2000 mm per year; In the northern part - 1700 mm, in the southwestern - 1500 mm, in the southeastern part - 1300 mm. In the formation of the flow of the River Basin, the Congo plays a big role playing abundant rain nutrition, as well as underground. Water regime is mainly determined by seasonal changes in the amount of precipitation and therefore in different parts of the pool of the neodynaks. The greatest differences are characteristic of a period of elevated flow. In the upper reaches of the river and southern pool, the greatest amount of precipitation and the maximum flow comes to April - May, in the northern part - for September - November. In Lower Congo, due to the time of the flow of water from different parts of the basin, seasonal flow changes are smoothed, with some time two maxima appear: the main (autumn-winter) in November - January (32% of the annual flow) and secondary (Spring) In April - June (23% of the annual flow). The most centuries month is December (11.4% of the annual flow). At a more small period of the year (February - March and July - September) account for 45% of the annual flow. The most low-water months are July and August (6.5% of the annual flow). In the period of elevated flow in the river basin there are floods. Mid-year water consumption at the city of Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) and the city of Kinshasas 40 300 m 3 / s (the amount of flow of 1270 km 3 / year). To the mouth of water consumption increases to 41,500 m 3 / s (1310 km 3 / year). Stoke of suspended nansions in the lower reaches of about 70 million tons / year.

Flips in the mouth of the Congo are correct semi-sufficient. In the mouth of the estuary, the magnitude of the tides from 0.4 to 1.8 m. During the period of low drain, the largest tides are distributed to a distance of 95 km from the ocean. In the deep part of the estuary at the bottom penetrate sea waters salting about 35 ‰. The desalination zone in the surface layer of the sea can be 300 km from the coast.

The total length of shipping paths on the rivers of the Congo basin rivers over 14 thousand km. Most areas of rivers available for shipping are concentrated in Congo's depudent, where they form a single branched system of waterways separated by thresholds and waterfalls. Congo has 4 main shipping sites (on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo), related railways: mouth - the city of Matadi (138 km), Kinshasa - Kisangani city (1742 km), Ubundu city - Kindu city (320 km), Congolo city - City of Bukama (640 km). For improving the conditions of maritime shipping, dredging works in navigable channels at the mouth of the river are carried out. The Congo pool occupies 1st place in the reserves of hydropower among the river basins of the globe. The most significant hydropower plants are located on the Lualaba River - "Le-Marinel" and "Delcommune". In the lower current of the Congo, above the city of Matadi, the large hydroelectric power plants "Inga 1" (1972) and "InGa 2" (1982) are constructed.

In the rivers of the pool Congo there are crocodiles and hippos; on the shores - herons, storks, kingfisher, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, marabou, etc. The largest protected natural territories in the Congo pool - national parks Virung, Garamba, Kahuzi Biega, Salong (included in the World Heritage List), Man.

The mouth of the Congo opened D. Kan during the expedition along the western coast of Africa in 1481-82, the upper flow (Lualaba River) - D. Livingston in 1871. Most of the course of the river explored G. M. Stanley in 1876-1877.

LIT: Dmitrievsky Yu. D. Inland waters Africa and their use. L., 1967; World Water Balance and Water Earth Resources. L., 1974; Dai A., TRENBERTH R. T. Estimates of Freshwater Discharge From Continents: Latitudinal and Seasonal Variations // Journal of Hydrometeorology. 2002. Vol. 3.

If you are planning a tour of Wild Africa, it is necessary to find out where the Congo River is the fastest and deep water artery of the Black Continent. On the mainland, it is inferior in length only by the famous Nile: its length is just over 4370 km.

Congo is known for what is the only river in the world, which twice crosses the equator. In some places, the depth of the river exceeds 200 m, which spawned numerous legends about the mythical monsters, allegedly dwelling in it.

Geography of the river

The pool area of \u200b\u200bthe famous wild river exceeds 4,000,000 km 2. Water consumption in this largest water artery of Africa is more than 41,000 m 3 / s. It is located mainly in the territory of the state of the same name. However, with a more detailed study of the location of the Congo River on the map it is clear that on a certain section it flows on the border with Angola.

Information about the origins of the river is quite contradictory. Researchers cannot come to an unambiguous conclusion where the river originates. On the this moment There are two officially accepted versions:

  • The source is the Lualab River, which is formed in the southeastern part of the Republic of Congo on the plateau, directly bordering the territory of Zambia.
  • The second popular version of where the Congo River begins in Africa, it looks like this: they are the beginning of the chambosis, the water of which is originated between the lakes of Nyas and Tanganyik, located at an altitude of about 1600 m. At the outlet of the natural reservoir, MVERU Chambise flows into Lououly.

Among interesting factsconcerning Congo, it is worth mentioning that the water artery has two names. Its upper flow (to the settlement of Kisangani) locals are called the same way as possible sources - Lualaba.

In the upper course of the Congo there are many thresholds and waterfalls that are seriously imperative shipping. The largest waterfall (height of about 500 m), it forms Nzilo in the gorge, located in the southern foothills of the Mountain Massive Mitumba. Stormy areas alternate with a leisurely flow, and after the stanley waterfalls, located near the equator, it carries its waters smoothly and evenly. Here its shores are rather low and wetlands, and in some places the distance between them is up to 10-15 km, which allows us to talk about the formation of natural lakes.

In the lower course of the river proceeds through the territory of South Guinea plateau, and its shores here are rocks and rings (their height reaches 500 m). Between the settlements of Kinshas and Matadi Congo forms glorified Waterfalls of Livingston, a significant depth of which and discouraged her the fame of the largest river Africa.

The most significant right affairs of the water artery are:

  • at the top: Lukuga, Luvua, Lufira;
  • in the middle: Ubanga, Aruvimi, Sanga, Mongala, IMTIMBIRI;
  • in the lower reaches: alima.

The Congo's left tributaries refer to Toucha, Lullego, hands, scrap (in the middle) and Inksi (in the lower reaches). Intuitively understand where the river flows: its jets are mixed with the waters of the Atlantic.

Features of climatic conditions

In the whole basin, the Congo reigns a tropical equatorial climate. Mid annual temperature equal to + 25-28 ° C, however, in the summer months, the thermometer's column often rises to +30 ° C. The rainy season falls on March-April and October-December, and the total rainfall reaches 2000 mm per year.

Almost everywhere coast Congo covered equatorial forests. In the jungle you can meet such unique representatives of African flora, like a red tree, Gevei, Eucalyptus, Ebenova. A lot of evergreen shrubs grows here, and the height of individual trees reaches 70 m.

The river basin is inhabited by the herd of gazellers, zebras and giraffes, which often hunt prompt cheetahs. Elephants, hypopotams and hairy forest boars come in the drama, and anthropomorphic gorillas are found in the jungle. The world of reptiles and insects on the banks of the Congo impressive: crocodiles, poisonous spiders are found here, water pythons, cobra. The depths of the river are also inhabited: during fishing you can catch a predatory tiger fish of a huge size, catfish, Nilea perch, Barbel, freshwater herring, Mormops.

The length of tiger fish can reach 2 m, and the weight is to reach 70-80 kg, so during the hunt it should be careful.

Excursions by Congo

You can choose tours along the Congo River of two different directions:

  • A civilized journey through the cities of the country located in the pool of this water artery: Brazzaville, Kongolo, Kisangani, Kinshasa, Kindu, Matadi, Bom and others. This will allow you to get closer to the culture and economy of the country, and you can move between settlements on the ferry.
  • An exciting tour to the unknown jungle world on the traditional Congolese canoe with a visit to the villages of the native tribes and overnight in hotels on the shore. Such a journey usually takes 7-8 days and will cost about 3,000 USD per person (including accommodation).

How to get

Get into the Democratic Republic of the Congo and see natural beauty Rivers can, buying a ticket for a transit flight to Kinshasa. Direct air traffic with Moscow does not exist, so it will be necessary to make a transplant in Zurich, Paris, Rome, Lisbon or Brussels. The cost of the flight is quite high and is 1000 USD - 1500 USD in both directions.

After arrival, you can immediately go to the capital of the state - Brazzaville, buying a ticket for a ferry for 5 USD - 15 USD. The trip will take no more than 20 minutes, but should arrive approximately an hour before the ship is sent to quietly pass the passport and customs control.

Also ferries from Kinshasa are sent to Bangui (Central African Republic). They run only 2-3 times a month, overcoming a huge distance of more than 1000 km upstream of the river and stopping in all major settlements. This is a great opportunity to carefully explore the geography of the Congo. A ferry ticket will cost 9000 CFA (place on deck) to 70,000 CFA (first class cabin).

The Congo River is one of the most amazing natural attractions of Africa, so deserves a detailed study of true connoisseurs of travel.

CONGO (Other Name - Zaire) - the most full-water river Africa. The length of the river is 4,700 km. Maximum depth mark - 230 meters. This is the only one of the big rivers crossing the equator twice.

Monster River Congo


Brief summary:

River depth - 230 meters
- Pool area - 3680000 square km.
- The source is a plateau shab. Usty - Atlantic Ocean.
- Congo - Mobangi, Lullego, Montgall, Lefini, Hands, Cassay, and many others.

What a fish carries:

Freshwater herring
- Barbel
- Telepia
- Okun Nilsky
- the most evil and dangerous fish In the world - Goliath, Tiger fish.

So, in this African river there are terrible fish that are inferior only to Piranham.
Tiger fish Goliath - predatory fish weighing up to 70 kg and up to 1.5 meters long. This is a creature of a terrible, fierce view with huge sharp teeth.
She always attacks an ambush. It feeds on fish and mammals, carelessly approaching water. Local fishermen say that the fish attacks and on people.

Historical certificate about the Congo River

River River Congo

Usti was open for the first time in 1482

The discoverer is the Portuguese of Diego Kan, who lived in 1440-1486. He was a navigator and a successful merchant.

A unique geographical discovery was made at all not for scientific purposes - a talented deceer simply established trade relations with the Kingdom of Congo.

The main product was slaves.

Scary tropical diseases pursued travelers, the exhausting heat and humidity promised a terrible fever, impassable swamps and junes prevented the passage of the mainland deep into the passage. Aborigines have perceived hostile any attempts to study wildlife Africa.

The first European, which came on March 29, 1871 to the upper current of the Congo, the Lualaba River, was Scotland David Livingston. The worsening health of the famous African researcher did not allow him to conclude that the River-Congo or Neal River - the River - Congo or Nile belongs.

Most of the River Congo passed already compatriot Livingston, English Journalist Henry Morton Stanley, in 1876-1877. Overcoming in a dangerous journey almost 5,000 km from the east to West Africa, he reached the mouth of the Congo.

Under the patronage of the Belgian king Leopold II and on his means, Stanley in the new expedition in 1881 founded a number of stations on the banks of the river.

Kongo.

The completeness of the African River Congo throughout the year is its main feature.

Pool of the River Congo, Lualaba, the source of Congo, Chambise

The Congo River Pool, located in the very center of the African continent, occupies second place in the world. The origin of the Congo most often considered the Lualab River, which originates not far from the southeastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But there is an opinion that the source of the Congo - the Chambise River, which begins not far from the southern tip of Lake Tanganyik. Feature of the Congo River Uniform water flow throughout the year. This is explained by the fact that the Congo basin is located on both sides of the equator, and therefore the flow of water from the rivers of the northern hemisphere, filled with intense summer rains, fills the winter crime of the southern tributaries of the river.

Pool and sections of the Congo River

The Congo pool covers the so-called catch of the Congo and its edge plateaus. The river is made to divide into three main areas. From the sources to the waterfalls Stanley goes the top plot. From Stanley's waterfalls to the city of Kinshasas Middle and below - the bottom.

Moving the city of Congolo, the river crosses the barrier of solid crystalline rocks and puts his way through the gorge, which is rightly called the hellish gate. Thresholds and waterfalls stretch to the city of Kindu. From here begin rainforestswho surround the river for 2000 km.

The city of Kinshasa begins the waterfalls of Livingston, the height of which is about 40 m. When pushing into the Atlantic Ocean, the Congo is expanding to 11 km and reaches a depth of 230 m.

Economic certificate about the River Congo

Zaire has a huge economic importance for Africa:

The river is one of the main waterways of the movement of Africa. The total length of shipping paths along the Congo River and its influx has about 20,000 km. Since the river transfers large mass of water, it automatically becomes one of the main source of hydropower. Currently already on r. Congo are already three large hydropower plants.

Scientists consider this queen river richest in the world. On the shores were found in a huge amount of mineral deposits. Among them: cobalt, copper ore, radium, molybdenum, nickel, silver, uranium and others.

the Friton legend says that in the Congo there are huge, size from an elephant, spirits of death (MKUU-MBU-MBA).

They look like lizards. When the spirits are angry with people - they drink all the water from the sky and do not let it rain - drought comes. They can send all sorts of diseases, shake people in fever.

In order for the perfume not angry - they need to bring sacrifices.

Even the god of the sea Olokun and the God of Thunder Shango cannot manage to find at the villains.

And only the modest quiet goddess Oshun helps to calm the swirling mandes.

Congo (Zaire, Lualaba) - River in Central Africa, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (partially proceeds along its borders with the Republic of Congo and Angola), the most complete and second long-distance River of Africa, the second river on water in the world after Amazon. In the upper course (above the city of Kisangani) called Lualaba. The only major river crossing the equator twice. Pool area - 4,014,500 km.

Takes the beginning of the Millia settlement.

Geography

River pool

The length of the Congo from the source of the Chambashi is over 4700 km, from the source Lualabe - 4374 km. Pool area - 4,014,500 km. The source of Lualuba originates in the south-east of DRC, on the plateau near the border with Zambia. According to other data, the Congo is the Chambash River, which is formed between the lakes of Nyas and Tanganic at an altitude of 1590 meters above sea level. She flows into Lake Bangveulu, follows from him under the name Lupula, flows into Lake Mweru, leaving him as the Luvua River and connects with Lualaba. For the upper current of the Congo (Lualaba), located within the flatbed and plateau, characteristic of the alternation of the spoiled areas and aligned beefs with a calm current. The highest drop (475 m at a distance of about 70 km) Lualab is different in the gorge Nzilo, which it cuts through the southern spurs of Mount Mitumba. Starting from the city of Bukam, the river slowly flows, much meandering, fastened to the robin of the stubborn. Below the city of Kongolo Lualab breaks through the crystal breeds of the Gorge of Port-D, the Anfer (Hell Gate), forming thresholds and waterfalls; Next, downstream follows one after another several groups of waterfalls and thresholds. Between cities Kindu and Ubundu River again calmly flows in a wide valley. Under the same equator, it descends from the edge ledge of the plateau in the depression of the Congo, forming the waterfalls Stanley.

After Stanley's waterfalls, the Kisangani River is changing the name to the Congo. On average, the Congo concluded within the depression of the Congo, the river is calm in nature with a slight drop (on average about 0.07 m / km). Its row, mostly with low and flat, often marshy shores, is a chain of lake expansion (in places up to 15 km), separated relatively narrowed (up to 1.5-2 km) areas. In the central part of the depressions of the Congo, the floodplains of the river and her right tributaries, Ubanga and Sanga merge together, forming one of the world's largest periodically flooded areas. As it approaches the Western Territory, the appearance of the river changes: it is compressed here between high (100 m or more) and steep root shores, narrowing in places less than 1 km; Depths increase (often up to 20 - 30 m), flow rapidly. This narrowed plot, the so-called channel, goes into the lake expansion of Stanley Pool (about 30 km long, up to 25 km long), which ends with the average Congo course.

In the lower current, the Congo breaks through to the ocean through the South Guinean plateau in a deep (up to 500 m) gorge. The row width here is reduced to 400-500 m, sometimes up to 220-250 m. For 350 km between the cities of Kinshas and Matadi River descends 270 m, forming about 70 thresholds and waterfalls united under the general name of Livingston Falls. The depths of this section are 230 m and more, which makes the Congo the most deep river in the world. Matadi Congo goes to the seaside lowland, the channel expands to 1-2 km, the depths of the fairway reach 25-30 m. Near the city of Boma, the estuary of the Congo begins, the width of which in the middle part comes to 19 km, then decreases to 3.5 km and It increases again to the mouth, which is 9.8 km. The vertex and the middle part of the estuary are busy actively emerging young delta. The continuation of the estuary is the underwater Congo Canyon with a total length of at least 800 km.

Inflows

The most significant tributaries of the Congo

    Upper treatment: Right - Lufira, Luvua, Lukuga; On average: left - scans, Lullego, hands, Kasai (the largest left of the tributaries), right - Aruvimi, IMTIBIRI, MONGAL, Ubanggi (the largest influx of Congo), Sanga; In the lower current - Inksi (left), Alima (right).

The Congo system owns several large lakes: Tanganica and Kivu in the Lukuga River basin; Bangveulu and MVERU in the Luvua River Basin; Mai Nomber in the Kasa River Basin; Tumba (has a runaway directly in the Congo through the Flower Ireb).

Hydrology

In the formation of the flow of the River Basin, the prevailing role plays abundant rain nutrition. Most of the tributaries of the Congo are characterized by the predominance of the autumnal drain: on catching tributaries in the northern hemisphere, the maximum rise of water is observed in September-November, in South - in April-May. The April-May maximum of the flow is characteristic and for the Upper Congo (Lualabe). On average, especially in the lower course of the Congo, seasonal flow fluctuations are largely smoothed due to the time of income into the hollow water river of its tributaries; Of all the great rivers of the globe of the Congo differs in the greatest natural regulation. In the year, the level, nevertheless, two lifting and two recession are clearly expressed. On the middle of the Congo, the rise of water corresponding to the autumn maximum of the layout of Lualabe, is shifted to May-June and is of a secondary character, the main rise - in November-December, under the influence of floods on the northern tributaries. In the lower reaches of the Congo, the main rise also falls on November-December; A less significant rise in April-May is connected mainly with the autumn maximum drain of the Kaia River. Average water costs in the lower current of the Congo (at the Boma): Annual - 39 thousand m? / S, per month high water (December) - 60 thousand m? / s, in the month of the lowest water itself (July) - 29 thousand m? / sec; Absolute extreme expenses - from 23 to 75 thousand m? / sec. The average annual stock is 1230 km (according to other data, 1453 km). Huge masses of water, endowed by the Congo in the ocean, despite its 75 km from the coast. The solid stock of the Congo on the assistant plot of about 50 million tons per year.

The average monthly expenses of water in the river (m? / S) in the area of \u200b\u200bKinshasa (480 km from the mouth) from 1903 to 1983

Economic use

Hydropower resources

Compared to other rivers of the world, the Congo has one of the largest hydroenergy reserves, which are estimated at 390 GW. The latter is explained by a large amount of water carried by the river, and a significant drop in the channel throughout its mouth. Others large rivers In their lower currents are plain and flow in lowlands. A few large hydroelectric power plants were built on the Congo - Nzila, Nsec (on Lualabe), Inga (on Livingston Falls). In total, about 40 hydropower plants were built in the Congo pool.

The largest hydroelectric station of the river is the Inga, which is about about 200 km south-west of Kinshasa. The INGA project was launched in the early 1970s construction of the first dam. To date, only two dams "Inga I" (Fr. Barrage Inga I) and Inga II (Fr. Barrage Inga II) are built (FR. Barrage Inga II) on which fourteen turbines work. Inga III projects (FR. Barrage Inga III) and "Grand Inga" (FR. Barrage Grand Inga, English. Grand Inga Dam) are at the design stage. In the case of the project "Grand Inga" project, its capacity is more than twice as much as the power of the HPP "Three Gorges" in China. There are concerns that the construction of these new dams can lead to extinction of many species of fish that are endemic in the river.

Shipping

The total length of navigable ways on rivers and lakes of the Congo basin is about 20 thousand km. Most of the river sites available for shipping concentrated in the Congo depression, where they form a single branched waterway system, which, however, is separated from the ocean by Livingston's waterfalls in the lower course of the Congo. The river itself has 4 major shipping sites: Bukama - Congolo (645 km), Kindu - Ubundu (300 km), Kisangani - Kinshasa (1742 km), Matadi - Usti (138 km); The last plot, the so-called sea bief is available for ocean courts. The shipping sections of the Congo are interconnected by railways. The main river and lake ports in the Congo pool: on the Congo - Kinshasa, Brazzaville, Mbandaka, Kisangani, Ubundu, Kindu, Congolo, Cant, Bukama; On the River Ubanggi - Bangui; on the Kasai River - Ilebo; On Lake Tanganyika - Kalima, Kigoma, Bujumbura; On Lake Kiva - Bukavu. In the lower reaches of the Congo - Marine Ports Matadi, Boma, Banana.

Fisheries

Rivers and lakes of the Congo basin are rich in fish (about 1000 species, many of whom have commercial importance: Nile Okun, Tilapia, Barbel, Large Tiger Fish, Freshwater herring and others).

Cities on the river

The most important cities at the Congo:

Bukama

Bukama (start of shipping) - the city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Katanga Province), the river marina in the upper reaches of the Lualaba River, the railway station on Lubumbashi - Ilebo.

Congolo.

Congolo is a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The airport.

Kindu

Kindu is a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Administrative center of the province of Moneya. Lies on the West Bank of the Congo River at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. Located by railway with the south of the country, has an airport. In the city you can meet the features of Islamic and Swahilic cultures.

Kisangani

Port in Kisangani

Kisangani (until 1966 - Stanlyville) - the city in the northeast of the Congo, the Administrative Center of Chopo Province. In 2010, the population was 868,672 people. Port on the Congo River below the Stanley Waterfall. In the city there train StationUniversity and International Airport. Founded by the famous traveler, researcher in Africa and (journalist Henry Stanley in 1883 and was originally called Stanlivil. Contemporary Kisangani - Center for Agricultural Area, where the primary processing of agricultural raw materials (rice and cotton cleaning) is carried out. In addition, there are food, textile, chemical industries , Woodworking, as well as the production of building materials.

Kinshasa

Kinshasa (until 1966 - Leopolville) - the capital (since 1960) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is located on the Congo River, opposite the city of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. Although the population of the city in 2009 was 10,076,099 people, 60% of its territory represents a glorified countryside, which, nevertheless, entered the administrative boundaries of the city. The denselyened city districts occupy only a small part of the territory in the West of the province.

Matadi.

Matadi (in the language of the Congo's people (Kikongo) - denotes the "stone") - the main seaport of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the center of the province of Central Congo (former province of the lower Congo). Matadi was founded in 1879 by Henry Morton Stanley. The city is located on the left bank of the Congo River, 148 kilometers from the mouth. In 2004, the population amounted to 245,862 people.

Boma

Boma is a city in the West of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the estuary of the Congo River, is located 75 km from Congo to the Atlantic Ocean. Large port (available for maritime courts; export of cocoa, bananas, rubber, valuable wood breeds). There is food (brewing, fish), chemical, woodworking industry, shipbuilding, metal processing and agricultural products. The initial point of the railway on the brow. The airport. In 2010, the population amounted to 167,326 people. From 1886 to 1926 there was the capital of the Belgian Congo (then the capital was transferred to Leopoldville - now the city of Kinshasa).

Banana

Banana (FR. Banana) is a small city and seaport in the province of the Central Congo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The port is located on the north shore of the mouth of the Congo River and separated from the ocean with a skeleton length of 3 kilometers and a width of 100 to 400 meters. To the north-west of the port is the city of Muand, to which a highway is laid along the coast.

Brazzaville

Brazzaville (FR. Brazzaville) - the financial and administrative capital and the most populous city of the Republic of Congo, located on the right bank of the Congo River, opposite Kinshasa. The population for 2010 is 1,252,974 people. A third population of the Republic of Congo lives in Brazaville and employs about 40% of people employed in the agricultural industry.

History of opening and research

At the end of 1481, the Portuguese king Zhuan II sent Karavel Flotilla along the west coast of Africa to the Golden Beach (modern Ghana) to open the mining mines there. The expedition headed Diogu de Azambuju. For the mine, slaves were needed, so in 1482 Azambuzha sent Diogu Kata to examine the unknown then the West Coast of Africa. In the area of \u200b\u200b6 ° South latitude, the Portuguese discovered mouth big River And they landed ashore, where they met the black people of the Bantian tribe. They said that the river is called Nzari - "Big", and the state, in the territory of which she flows, rules the king, whoaring the title of Mani Congo (English) Russian .. In the opening of these lands, the Portuguese installed near the mouth of the Padran (Stone Pillars ), and the river was called the Padrau River (Rio Do Padrao).

The upper current of the Congo (Lualaba) is open to David Livingston in 1871. The most part of the Congo from Niangwe downstream was investigated in 1876-1877 Henry Stanley. The influx of Cassai explored Wisman in 1885.

sights

The most famous waterfalls on the River-Useree Stanley (Boyoma) in the upper reaches of the Congo, Inga in its middle course, as well as a cascade of Livingston Waterfalls in the lower reaches.