The only major river that crosses the Equator twice is the Congo River , also known as the Zaire River, in Central Africa.

Quick Scoop

  • The Congo River starts south of the Equator, flows northward to cross it, then loops and crosses back south again before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.
  • It is one of the world’s great rivers by volume and is considered the only major river known to cut the Equator two times along its course.
  • The Congo is also the world’s deepest recorded river and the second-largest by discharge after the Amazon, making this equator‑crossing fact a well-known geography quiz favorite.

So if a trivia question asks, “What is the only major river to cross the Equator twice?” — the answer is: the Congo River (Zaire River).

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