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The Democratic Republic of Congo Essay

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The Democratic Republic of Congo Formerly known as Zaire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DROC) is located in the center of Africa bordered by nine different countries and one territory. (Lerner, 10) The bordering countries are Central African Republic and Sudan at the northern boarder, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi on the eastern boarder, Zambia and Angola directly South of DROC and Congo on the Western boarder. DROC is about one third the size of the United States; consisting of 905,365 square miles of territory it is also the third largest country within the African continent, smaller only to Sudan and Algeria. (Background Notes, 1) Much like the United States DROC has one major capital and small city …show more content…

The Congo River Basin is also known as the Cuvette, which is French for "Basin." Rainfall is very plentiful in the Cuvette and it is dominated by dense rainforests. Though rain is plentiful the soil in this region is unfertile therefore resulting in a low population and very few farms. The Northern Uplands is located along the northern boarder of the country. With an elevation of about 2,500 miles above sea level it is covered mainly savannas and grassland with scattered trees. The Southern Uplands is somewhat similar to that of the Northern Uplands in the likeness that it also contains savannas and grassy woodlands. Beginning on the southern end of the central basin, this region has an average elevation of about 2,730 feet above sea level, having fertile soils and retaining may of the countries mineral deposits it allows for the locals to grow grains and raise cattle. The final geographical region is the Eastern Highlands, this great portion extends approximately 958 miles South from lake Mobutu Sese Seko, clear through to the edge of the Shaba region. Retaining lush vegetation and highly fertile soils, this region is highly populated. With Mt. Ngaliema engulfed in the series of rugged plateaus and mountains, which make up the heights, reaching an altitude of 16,791 feet above sea level gives the Eastern Heights the greatest altitude throughout the country (Lerner,

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