Democratic

7 Republic of Congo

STORY TWE The Kind Chimpanzee of Africa

Geza Teleki, a primatologist, was studying the behaviour of the chimpanzees in the

Gombe National Park, Tanzania (Congo, Africa)

he scientist was leeling very hungry as he had left all his food in the base camp. A group of

chimparnzees climbed on to the trees and started eating the green mbula fruit. The scientist took

a stick arid tried very hard to jurmp high and get some fruit for hirmself T he chimpanzees were

observing him as he struggled Then, one kind chirnpanzee picked an arrmload of fruit and swurng

it down to the astonished scientist This shows that even anirmals like chirnpanzees are instinctive

and kind On this note, let us now journey to the deep, dark and wild rainforestS of Congo

Spotlight Location and relief of the land

Plant and animal life

Lifestyle of people Economy and transport

Usal ParE dea virung

G4bon

Republicof

Congo ascngo

About Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo was

formerly known as Zaire. It is located

between 5°N and 10°s latitude. It

Map not to scale

Map of Democratic Republic of Congo

is the third biggest African countryy square miles. Almost 33 per cent of

with regards to area, after Sudan and the country is located in the NorthernAlgeria. It covers an area of 23.5 lakh Hemisphere and the rest of it falls in the

Southern Hemisphere. TIME TO THINK

It is bordered by the Central African Republic and South Sudan in the Nort Angola and Zambia in the South; Uganda Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi in th East and Republic of Cong in the West

Do you think it is right to conduct jungle

safaris. Does it disturb the natural habitat

of the animals?

46

Main Features of the Land Climate Since the Democratic Republic of Congo

lies in the equatorial region, it receives

Democratic Republic of Congo is located heavy rainfall throughout the year. It is

Location

in Central Africa and the Equator passes also extremely hot throughout the year,

through it. without much difference in summer and

winter. Here, the days and nights are of

Its capital, Kinshasa, is located on the equal length. Congo River. Democratic Republic of

Congo is almost a landlocked country. Owing to the year round high

temperatures, there is plenty of

evaporation. This means that clouds

build up on a regular basis and it rains. Relief of the land

The relief features of Democratic This happens almost every evening. Republic of Congo are quite similar to This rainfall is called the 4 o' clock

India. There are three mountain ranges, showers. The mornings are normally coastal plains, high plateaus, a major valley and a large river basin called evenings and nights are cool because of the Congo Basin. In fact, River Congo is the heavy showers.

The relief

pleasant with lots of sunshine, and the

regarded as the most important river in

the country. Plant life The river along with its tributaries, is The heart of the Congo Basin is covered

the major mode of transportation and of with thick forests called the equatorial

extreme economic importance. Its major rainforests. The trees reach a height of

tributaries are Kasai, Sangha, Ubangi, about 40-50 metres. The bigger trees Aruwimi, and Lulonga. Congo River is also form a canopy-like covering with their

known as the Highway of Central Africa'. leaves which cannot be penetrated even

The eastern part of the country has by sunlight. Due to this canopy, it is

many lakes like Lake Albert, Lake Edward always dark over here.

and Kivu. Since Democratic Republic Trees like eucalyptus, mahogany, ebony

of Congo lies in the equatorial region, and iroko provide timber. Rubber and

it receives heavy rainfall throughout palm trees grow in abundance.

the year. Many medicinal plants also grow here

The climate is conducive for the growth like, cinchona (the source of quinine,

of dense and thick forests. There is hardly a medicine used in curing malaria). any soil erosion and the soil is thoroughly Many types of edible vegetables and

nourished by humus 47 mushrooms also grow in the wild.

There are also hundreds of

butterfly species, and birds like beautifu ke parrots,

ltbures, (tuber root), rice, peanuts, groundnuts,

buttertly species,

and birds lile ti

corn, oil palms and fruit trees are found pelicans,

oWIs, cranes, eagles o

beetle

pelicans, owls, cranes eagles,

ducks and pigeons.

In the humid equatorial region, cassava

in abundance. The rainforests here are ducks and pigeons.

like

the second largest in the world and also Many insects, ike bees,

mosquitoes green throughout the year, they are also termites, ants, centipede and llipedes

bees, insects,

one of the thickest. Since they remain scorpions, tsetse fly, mosani

nationa

tsetse fly,

known as evergreen forests. There are are found in abundance. Several nati

sanctuaries have many grasslands in the southern and parks and wildlife sanctuaries

been set up to protect the animal South-western part of the Democratic

Republic of Congo.

in this region.

TIME TO THINK

Animal life

The equatorial rainforests are home to

a rich and diverse variety of animals.

However, because of hunting, animal

life is diminishing. Chimpanzees,

gorillas, bonobos, elephants, monkeys

Sleeping sickness is caused by tsetse fly

Snake bites can prove fatal. Find out about

any one of them in detail and identify what

one should do to save the victim.

and baboons are found in the forests People and language

and savanna woodlands. The northern Democratic Republic of Congo has

four national languages, one of them is grasslands are inhabited by lions,

leopards, jackals, hyenas, cheetah,

wildcats, wild dogs, buffaloes and black Swahili. French is the official language Christianity is the main religion of a large

part of the population. and white rhinoceros.

The Congo River and the lakes have crocodiles, hippos, dolphins and a variety of fish (like catfish and jellyfish). PICSTOP The rainforests are home to a variety of reptiles like pythons, vipers, tree cobras, lizards, frogs and chameleons.

1. Name the imal.Where is it found! 2. Can you name any other anima belongs to the same species.

48 Parrots that

Traditionally. Africans believe in the Economy powers ofancestors, spirits of nature and The Katanga province is rich in

magic. The main occupation has been minerals like gold, silver, copper, zinc,

forestry, agriculture, animal husbandry, Coal, uranium and platinum, which

hunting and fishing. Mining of copper are exported all over the world. In the

and diamonds is also carried out on a southern and eastern parts of Congo large-scale The Bantu tribe forms a majority of such as diamonds, manganese, tin, and

the country's population. The early iron ore.

River, one will find mineral resources

inhabitants were called the Pygmies of Congo. Some of them still inhabit the germanium, radium, and bauxite are

forest and have settled in the areas near found here. In fact, the Democratic the lakes and rivers.

Cobalt, cadmium, petroleum,

Republic of Congo is regarded as one

They were driven to these places by of the highest producers of copper in

the European colonisers. Their main the world. It also has 65 per cent of the

occupations are gathering and hunting world's cobalt. The country is well

for food. They lead nomadic lives and known for its palm oil and diamonds.

speak in sign language. In terms of water wealth, it is the

richest country. Several dams have also

been built to make use of the country's water resources.

Transport The Congo River and its tributaries are

the main means of transport. They are

supported by rail, road and air services. The main port is Matadi. The country's transportation system is poor because of the dense forests, which makes it

Bantu tribe hard for roads and railway lines to

They do not eat cooked food as such and be constructed.

like music. Their most popular forms of entertainment are dance and drum GOOD TO KNOW music. The Bantus too are fond of music The tallest of the Pygmies rarely exceed 5

feet in height and dancing and wear colourful clothing on occasions.

49

Arts stone and nail-studded statues of Conoo Many ethnic groups in Democratic people. African jazz has found popularih

Republic of Congo have developed arts in many countries, beyond the African

like painting, music and dance. Different continent. The academy of fine arts in

regions are famous for different art Kinshasa offers training programmes in

forms. South-west Congo is known for ceramics, sculpture, carving, architecture

Many

and painting.

NOW I KNOW! Democratic Republic of Congo is in Central Africa and its capital is Kinshasa. It is a landlocked country and lies in the equatorial region. It has a hot and wet climate.

French is the official language of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Democratic Republic of Congo is covered with rainforests and is rich in wildlife.

The Bantu tribe forms the majority of the population. The pygmies were the earlier inhabitarnt in this area.

The main occupation is agriculture, mining. hunting and fishing. The Congo river and its tributaries are used for transportation.

CORNER I. Find Out: Choose another equatorial country in Africa. Learn about it and compare it

with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

2. Think: How it be if your city had 4 o' clock showers everyday? Determine: In spite of its rich natural resources, Democratic Republic of Congo world country. Discuss the reasons for this.

WORD POWER

humus the organic part of soil which is formed because of decomposition of plants cassava a tuber root

ancestor a person from which others have evolved

animal husbandry breeding and caring of farm animals

tributary a small stream that joins a larger river

jazz a type of music

ceramic pots and other articles that are made of clay

50

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