CH 4 - The Region of Dense Forests
CH 4 - The Region of Dense Forests
CH 4 - The Region of Dense Forests
SOCIAL STUDIES
CHAPTER 4 - THE REGION OF DENSE FORESTS
(The Democratic Republic of the Congo – DRC)
LOCATION
The area that lies above and below the Equator is known as equatorial region.
This region has a wet and hot climate. Let us read about the DRC which is
located in the equatorial region. The Democratic Republic of Congo is located
in Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa. River Zaire passes through
the DRC. KINSHASA is the capital of the DRC. The DRC is surrounded by the
different countries.
• In the east - by RWANDA, UGANDA, BURUNDI AND TANZANIA.
• In the west- by the REPUBLIC OF CONGO.
• In the north – by the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND SUDAN.
• In the south – by ANGOLA AND ZAMBIA.
CLIMATE
The climate of the DRC remains hot, humid and wet throughout the year. It
does not have winter season. This happens because the sunrays fall vertically
over the Zaire basin. In the DRC mornings are warm, nights are cool and
pleasant but afternoons are very hot and humid. It rains almost every evening.
This rainfall is known as 4 O’ clock rainfall.
VEGETATION
Heavy rainfall, hot and humid climate help in the growth of rainforests in the
DRC. The forests have very tall trees whose branches form a thick canopy.
Even sunlight cannot pass through these forests. The ground of the rainforests
is covered with shrubs and bushes. These forests remain green throughout the
year and are therefore called evergreen forests.
WILDLIFE
The Democratic Republic of Congo is called the Natural Zoo of the World it is
home to many different species of animals and birds. Monkeys, elephants,
gorillas, crocodiles and hippos are some animals found here. Birds like parrots,
flamingos and cuckoos are also found.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture and mining are the chief occupations in the DRC. Most of the
people in the DRC live in villages. They practice shifting agriculture. They clear
a patch of forest land to cultivate crops. The main cash crops include coffee,
palm oil, rubber, cotton, sugar, tea and cocoa. The food crops include cassava,
maize, groundnuts and rice. Cassava and banana are the staple food of the
people here.
MINERAL RESOURCES
The country is rich in mineral resources. It is a leading producer of industrial
diamonds in the world. Here gold, silver, copper, manganese, cobalt, coal and
uranium are also found. The minerals found in the DRC are exported to other
countries because the industries here are not well developed.
WATER RESOURCES
The DRC has abundance of water resources. River Zaire is its main water
resource. It is the second largest river after the Nile in Africa. The country’s
transportation system is not well developed. Roads and railways connect only
main cities and industrial centres. To reach the interiors of dense forests of the
country river Zaire serves as an important waterway.
LET’S RECALL
• The region that lies on either sides of the Equator is called the equatorial
region.
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is located in the Zaire basin
of the equatorial region.
• The DRC is called the ‘Natural Zoo of the World’ because it is home to a
wide variety of wildlife.
• The DRC is rich in mineral and water resources. It is a leading producer
of industrial diamonds in the world.
• River Zaire is the second largest river after the Nile in Africa. It is called
the ‘Highway of Central Africa’.
BOOK EXERCISES
Q6. Why water transport is important for the people of the DRC?
Ans. Roads and railways connect only main cities and industrial centres.
To reach the interiors of dense forests of the country, river Zaire serves
as an important waterway. Due to river Zaire importance in water
transport, it is also called the Highway of Central Africa.