Congo basin, Drainage basin in Central Africa.
The Congo basin is a vast catchment area in Central Africa that spans more than ten countries and contains the second-largest rainforest on Earth. The region is crossed by a dense network of rivers that wind through deep valleys and wide plains.
European powers divided the area in the late 19th century during the Berlin Conference and established colonial rule. Extraction of natural resources shaped the region for decades and fundamentally changed how many inhabitants lived.
The area takes its name from the great river that winds through the region and has supported life and trade for centuries. Many communities live along the waterways and use canoes as their main mode of transport between villages.
The area is expansive and underdeveloped, so travel between locations often requires several days and careful preparation. Many sections are difficult to reach during the rainy season, so visitors should plan their timing accordingly.
The river reaches depths of over 200 meters in some places, making it one of the deepest rivers in the world. These extraordinary depths were formed by the force of water carving through rocky ground over thousands of years.
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