The Congo rainforest is known for its high levels of biodiversity, including more than 600 tree species and 10,000 animal species. Some of its most famous residents include forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, okapi, leopards, hippos, and lions.
What is the rainforest in Congo called?
The Congolian rainforests are a broad belt of lowland tropical moist broadleaf forests which extend across the basin of the Congo River and its tributaries in Central Africa.
Where is the Congo rainforest for kids?
Congo Rainforest is located in central Africa. Most part of this rainforest is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This rainforest is very rainy. The average rainfall is a little more than 58 inches per year.
Why is the Congo rainforest important?
The vast forest of the Congo Basin is the second-largest tropical rainforest on Earth and serves as the lungs of Africa. The soils and plants of the Congo Basin rainforest store incredible amounts of carbon, preventing it from being emitted into our atmosphere and fueling climate change.
What is the Congo rainforest climate?
The country’s tropical climate is characterized by heavy precipitation and high temperatures and humidity. The Equator crosses the country just north of Liranga. In the north a dry season extends from November through March and a rainy season from April through October, whereas in the south the reverse is true.
What is the history of the Congo rainforest?
There is strong evidence that forest cover was reduced during the last Ice Age, lasting from 1.6 million to 10,000 years ago. While forested areas in the Congo River Basin are known to have persisted in some areas called refugia, such as in present-day Cameroon, they were much reduced elsewhere.
What is the Congo?
Democratic Republic of the Congo, country located in central Africa. Officially known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the country has a 25-mile (40-km) coastline on the Atlantic Ocean but is otherwise landlocked. It is the second largest country on the continent; only Algeria is larger.
What kind of animals live in the Congo rainforest?
Some of the area’s most famous occupants include leopards, forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, hippos, cheetahs, giraffes, spotted hyenas, bonobos and, of course, lowland and mountain gorillas. Many of these animals are endangered, and conservation efforts have steadily gained momentum over the years.
What is the climate of the Congo rainforest?
The Congo Basin is naturally warm and humid, and experiences only two seasons: the rainy season from March to November and the dry season from December to February.
How does the Congo rainforest benefit humans?
From rare butterflies to elephants and great apes, the Congo Basin’s forests support an amazing array of wildlife, provide food, water and shelter for 75 million people and store a huge amount of carbon.
What are the seasons in the Congo rainforest?
The Congo Basin is naturally warm and humid, and experiences only two seasons: the rainy season from March to November and the dry season from December to February. The Congo Basin is of vital importance on a global and local scale.
How old is Congo rainforest?
The Congo Basin has been inhabited by humans for more than 50,000 years and it provides food, fresh water and shelter to more than 75 million people.
What are some interesting facts about Congo?
Cool, Funny, and Fun Facts About Congo The great apes, such as the bonobos and the eastern lowland gorillas, can be found only in Congo. Okoumé is a tree in the family Burseraceae, native to the Republic of the Congo. Theokapi also known as the forest giraffe or zebra giraffe located in Congo in Central Africa.
What is the average rainfall in the Congo rainforest?
The average annual amount of rainfall in the Congo Rainforest is 58.35 inches per year, which is, on average, 4.86 inches monthly.
What trees grow in the Congo rainforest?
African Teak. Gingko image by Angelika Bentin from Fotolia.com A deciduous tree hailing from the Congo region,African teak presents itself as a highly useful woody plant to the inhabitants
What are facts about the Congo River?
The Congo river is also known as Zaire river. The name Congo is named after the Kongo kingdom, and the name was preferred among English speakers. However, locals also call it Zaire.