The Congo// 10 facts about the Congo rainforest

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The Congo rainforest is the second-largest tropical rainforest globally and is crucial for global climate, with a carbon sequestration rate six times stronger than the Amazon’s. It spans six Central African countries, is home to a significant portion of Africa’s plant and animal species, and is crossed by the Congo River, the world’s deepest river. The forest is home to unique species like the okapi and bonobo, and approximately 40 million people depend on it for their livelihood.
10 facts about the Congo rainforest:
Second-largest tropical rainforest: It is the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world, after the Amazon.
Spans six countries: The rainforest extends across six Central African countries: Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo.
Major carbon sink: It is a vital carbon sink, with a carbon sequestration rate six times stronger than the Amazon’s, playing a critical role in cooling the Earth.
Home to unique species: It is the only place on Earth that shelters all three subspecies of gorilla (lowland, mountain, and eastern lowland) and is the only home to the okapi.
Diverse wildlife: It is home to over 400 mammal species, 1,000 bird species, and 700 fish species, including bonobos, chimpanzees, leopards, and forest elephants.
The Congo River: It is crossed by the Congo River, which is the second-longest river in Africa, the world’s deepest river, and the second-largest river by discharge volume.
Limited sunlight reaches the floor: The rainforest is so dense that in some areas, only about 1% of the sunlight reaches the forest floor.
Vital for local communities: An estimated 40 million people, including many who live a traditional lifestyle, depend on the rainforest for food, water, firewood, and shelter.
More than 10,000 plant species: The rainforest contains over 10,000 different plant species, with 30% being endemic to the region.
Threatened by human activity: Despite its immense size, the rainforest faces threats from deforestation, logging, and poaching, which jeopardize its biodiversity and the livelihoods of the people who depend on it.