What resources did the Congo have that made it desirable?

What resources did the Congo have that made it desirable?

Limitless water, from the world’s second-largest river, the Congo, a benign climate and rich soil make it fertile, beneath the soil abundant deposits of copper, gold, diamonds, cobalt, uranium, coltan and oil are just some of the minerals that should make it one of the world’s richest countries.

What was the main resource that came from the Congo that was in high demand?

The Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt ore, and a major producer of copper and industrial diamonds. The Congo has 70\% of the world’s coltan, and more than 30\% of the world’s diamond reserves., mostly in the form of small, industrial diamonds.

What materials did Europeans find valuable Congo?

In the interior, gold, diamonds, copper, tin, cobalt, and zinc were mined; the colony became an important source of uranium for the United States during World War II.

Why is the Congo Basin being destroyed?

Unsustainable and illegal logging in the Congo Basin forest — by both big and small companies — is leading to deforestation, destruction of wildlife habitat, diminished resilience to climate change, and damaging local communities.

Which type of trees are found in the Congo Basin?

The central basin is a vast reservoir of native trees and plants. Among these, mahogany, ebony, limba, wenge, agba, iroko, and sapele provide timber. Fibrous plants include raffia and sisal.

What is mined in the Congo?

Overview. The DRC has substantial untapped gold, cobalt and high-grade copper reserves, but equally significant security risks accentuated by a lack of robust infrastructure. In 2019, mine production of cobalt in the DRC totaled 100,000 metric tons, accounting for 70 percent of global production.

What is the Congo Basin forest?

The vast forest of the Congo Basin is the second-largest tropical rainforest on Earth and serves as the lungs of Africa. Of the hundreds of mammal species discovered in the Congo Basin so far — including forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, and okapis — 39 are found nowhere else on Earth.

How many people live in the Congo Basin?

Humans have inhabited the forests of the Congo Basin for tens of thousands of years. Today, the Congo Basin provides food, medicine, water, materials and shelter for over 75 million people.

What is the biggest problem in the Congo?

Illegal Wildlife Trade. The leading cause of wildlife loss in the Congo Basin is the commercial bushmeat trade, driven by an ever increasing market. In the DRC alone, over a million tons of bushmeat are consumed each year. Alarmingly, this lucrative business is causing the forest to become empty of species.

What is ensuring protection of the Congo Basin?

Ensuring protection of the Congo Basin requires a massive effort that reaches beyond political borders, especially when six countries have a direct stake. As part of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, we collaborate with local governments and communities to sustainably manage the forests and protect wildlife.

What is the course of the Congo River?

This central part of the river flows steadily for more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to within 22 miles (35 km) of Kinshasa. Its course at first is narrow but soon grows wider, after which many islands occur in midstream. This change in the character of the river corresponds to its entry into its alluvial plain.