Do the Congo, Part Un! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Western central Africa

The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, is located on the Atlantic coast of Africa in the rainforest region. It is an elongated, low-lying country within the Congo River basin, and it is split in two by the Equator which runs through the middle of the country.

Answer: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Brazzaville lies across the Congo River from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (also called Congo-Kinshasa and also formerly known as Zaire). Both cities are located pretty much at the west end of the navigable river; the Congo Rapids are just beyond, and the railroad is used to bypass them to reach the mouth of the river.

Answer: An oil field

Petroleum accounts for the bulk of the Republic of the Congo's exports, with lumber/forestry products and agricultural products also in the mix. Other natural resources in the country include natural gas, potash, lead, zinc, uranium and phosphates. Agricultural products include cassava, bananas, rice, coffee, cocoa and sugar.

Answer: The Atlantic Ocean

The Republic of the Congo has 105 miles/169 kilometers of Atlantic Ocean coastline which makes up its western border. The coastal plain is mainly treeless wetlands consisting of swamps, rivers and lakes extending up to the rainforests of the Mayombe Mountains.

Answer: Angola

The 125 mile/200 kilometer border with Angola is the smallest border for the Republic of the Congo. It is only an exclave of Angola called the Cabinda province that borders the country. The province is completely surrounded by the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Answer: The Niger

The Congo and Ubangi rivers make up most of the border between the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Kouilou (also called Kouilou-Niari) is located in the southern part of the country. The Niger River is further north, emptying into the Atlantic in Nigeria.

The Congo River is one of the world's great rivers. It is the second longest in Africa (after the Nile) and has the second largest flow and drainage basin (after the Amazon). Some sources, including National Geographic, credit it as the deepest river in the world (the Yangtze gets credited by other sources).

Answer: Germany

At approximately 350,000 square kilometers, the Republic of the Congo is about the size of Germany. For those in North America, it is about 135,000 square miles and slightly smaller than Montana.

Answer: Tropical jungles

The Republic of the Congo is part of the Congo River Basin rainforest, the largest such forest after the Amazon. While the coastal areas of the country mainly consist of plains, valleys and plateaus, the northern part is tropical jungle with an average rainfall of up to 70 inches. The Equator crosses this region, resulting in a fairly consistent hot and humid climate.

Answer: Diosso Gorges

The Diosso Gorges are located in a forested area near the coastal city of Pointe Noire. They consist of multi-colored cliffs and rock formations formed by wind and sea erosion and are considered one of the main attractions in the country.

Answer: Seasonal Flooding

Seasonal flooding during the rainy season is the main natural hazard that habitually affects the Republic of the Congo. Situated as it is in the watershed of the Congo River Basin, heavy rainfall and runoff causes the river to overflow its banks. Dust storms might occur in the plains and plateau regions, but they would be infrequent and unlikely to reach catastrophic proportions. Oddly enough, the Republic of the Congo is largely spared from the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that affect neighboring countries, but it can receive the residual effects.

Tour Guide Deputy Gary skillfully navigates through the torrential floods that were threatening to wash us away! We are so grateful to him that we tear up our tour complaint cards and promise to recommend him to our friends and relatives.