by Martha Leonard

Created on: August 11, 2011   Last Updated: August 12, 2011

In his book by that name, James Conrad called the land the “heart of darkness” Others like Henry Stanley have echoed that sentiment. The Congo River (also called the Zaire)is the second longest river in Africa after the Nile. Through its almost 3000 mile length, the river seems to take on the various personalities of the country for which it is named. The Congo is punctuated three times by long sets of violent rapids, cataracts and falls. It is one of the few rivers to flow three different direction, first north, then west and finally south to the Atlantic Ocean. Located in the middle of the African Continent, it forms almost a circular loop, crossing the equator two times. Although it passes through five different countries, the majority of its length is in Congo.

According to earthfacts.net, the river starts in the quiet savannahs near Lake Tanganyika in northwest Zambia. There it is known as the Chambeshi River. It flows placidly northward until it reaches the “Gates or Cauldron of Hell”, a 75 mile canyon full of impassible rapids.

As if it needs a rest, it enters the lush, tropical rainforest. At this point it is known as the Upper Congo or Lualaba. As stated by bbc.co.uk, this area was originally known as the “Dark Continent” a name coined by Victorian explorer Henry Stanley. To early explorers the forest seemed like a dense jungle full of cannibals and terrifying beasts. It is home to many species of exotic plants and animals including the endangered mountain gorilla. It is populated by indigenous pygmies who are presently assisting in mapping the forest and working toward saving it.

Many facts about the river can be found in http://rainforest.mongabay.com including information about Stanley Falls, a 60-mile length of more turbulent rapids. The Falls end the Upper Congo and lead to the Middle Congo. This part of the river is navigable for 1000 miles and reaches up to 10 miles wide. This stretch of the river is the most heavily populated including Kinsangani and the capitol cities of Kinshasa and Brazzaville. Near the end of the Middle Congo, the river flows so slowly it almost seems to stop for almost 20 miles and widens to 15 miles. This area is called the Stanley or Malebo Pool.

Once again, however, the river turns violent. Livingstone Falls. named after the Scottish explorer and missionary, is really 200 miles of rapids and 32 cataracts. The rush of water is said by rainforest. Mongabay.com to have as much force

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