Congo River

Cultural  

1. River of central Africa, flowing through Democratic Republic of Congo to the Atlantic Ocean.

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Explored separately but simultaneously by the missionary David Livingstone and the journalist Henry Stanley, the Congo was the site of their proverbial encounter. (See “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”)

One of the world's longest rivers, it is Africa's largest potential source of electric power.

Example Sentences

The rubbish gets into the watercourses that criss-cross the capital and, from there, finds its way into the Congo River where it harms wildlife and pollutes the water.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

The break seemed like a reasonable metaphor for our fractured times: The cable had snapped during an oceanic landslide precipitated by huge floods in the Congo River.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2025

He heads a coalition of political parties and militias - called the Congo River Alliance - which includes the M23.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2025

Mr. Tshisekedi said it is deplorable that the Congo River ranks among the biggest in the world but “so many households do not have access to drinking water.”

From Washington Times • Dec. 18, 2023

Though I could cut my way through the jungle and go around, that could take me days out of my way, and without the Congo River to follow, I was likely to lose my bearings.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer