The Congo River is in central Africa , flowing in a great arc through the Congo Basin before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

Quick Scoop

  • The Congo River rises in the highlands of northeastern Zambia, between Lakes Tanganyika and Malawi.
  • From there, it flows generally northwest, then west and southwest, across the vast Congo Basin.
  • It runs mainly through the Democratic Republic of the Congo and also touches or drains parts of the Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, Zambia, Cameroon, and Tanzania.
  • The river finally reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Banana and Matadi on the coast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In short, if you look at a map of Africa, you’ll find the Congo River curving like a huge backward “C” across the heart of central Africa, from Zambia to the Atlantic coast of the DRC.

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