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Zaire |
Capital: Kinshasa
Official Language:French and Swahili
Currency: New Zaire
The Democratic Republic of Congo formerly known as Zaire is situated in Central Africa. Zaire is bounded by Central African Republic and Sudan to the north, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania to the east, Zambia and Angola to the south and Congo Republic to the west. The country boasts of vast expanses of natural beauty with diverse topography. There are mountain ranges in the north and the west, the beautiful Congo River flows through the central plains and stunning lakes and volcanic regions deck the western region. The highest altitude lies along the eastern fringe of the country, on the edge of the Great African Rift Valley. Congo river and its various tributaries like Lomani, the Aruwimi, the Itimburi, the Mongala, the Ugangi, the Uélé, the Kasaim the Sankuru, the Lulua, the Kwango and the Kwilu has given rise to extensive tropical rainforests on the western region of Congo. Savannah and Park Forest vegetation prevails in the north and south of the equatorial forest belt. Hence Zaire can be an ideal tourist destination for the nature lovers to get mesmerized in the natural wilderness.
Major Cities
Kinshasa is the capital of Congo. Other major cities of Zaire (Congo) are Bandundu, Bandundu, Bukavu, Djokupunda, Goma, Ilebo,Isiro, Kalemie,Kananga, Kikwit, Kindu
Kisangani,Kolwezi, Likasi, Lubumbash, Lukutu, Lusanga, Mbandaka, Mbanza-Ngungu and Moba. Kinshasa is the largest city of Congo and third largest city of Africa. It lies on the southern bank of the Congo River. It is a sprawling modern city with skyscrapers, residential complexes, and three major universities. Two major sites in the city are Cite de l'OUA that houses the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zone de Matonge, the residential area of Gombe. Other places of visits in Kinshasa include the SOZACOM Building, Hotel Memling, Kinshasa Museum, Kinshasa Fine Arts Academy and Stade des Martyrs National Stadium. The fishing port of Kinkole and the Presidential farm of Nsle in the surrounding area offer wonderful scenic views. Goma lies in eastern Congo in the western part of Great Rift Valley. The city's natural attractions include lake Kivu and Virunga National Reserve.
Tourist Attractions
Kinshasa National Museum situated in the capital city is a place of historical interest. The museum exhibits exquisite Zarian artifacts and crafts. Mbanza-Ngungu Resort attracts tourists with its exquisite scenic surroundings. The Inkisi Falls at Zongo and the Mbanza-Ngungu caves attract tourists with their astounding features. A visit to the Frere Gillet Botanic Gardens at the nearby Kisantu offers vistas of vast orchid gardens. Moanda appears with its vast forest greens, caves and Boma waterfalls. The Upemba National Park on the bank of River Lualaba, northeast of Bukama is rich in diverse flora and fauna. It is the natural habitat of elephants, hippos, crocodiles and numerous aquatic birds. Kananga and Mbuji-Mayi are beautiful tropical towns. Various freshwater lakes and magnificent waterfalls dots southern Zaire with their intense natural splendor. Eastern Zaire offers magnificent lake views of some famous lakes of the world like Tanganyika, Kivu, Edward, Albert and Bukavu. The dainty Bunia town with good restaurants, coffee houses and hotels is a good excursion spot. Lake Albert can be reached from Bunia. Lake Edward can be called an ornithological garden with various migratory birds flocking on its vast greeneries. Mount Hoyo Caves and Escaliers de Venus Waterfalls situated nearby are not to be missed. Garamba National Park in the north is the abode of some rare animal species like lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and giraffes.
Getting Around
Kinshasa International Airport is the main airport of Zaire. It offers flights to a good number of African countries, and also to some major European countries. Air Zaire is the national carrier. Visitors can get around the country by traveling through train. The main railway network lies from Lumbumbashi to Ilebo. There are rail services from Zaire to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. Tourists can opt train from Lubumbashj to Ilebo with branches at Kalemie and Kindu. Train ride is not very luxurious as there is no air-conditioning. Dining cars are available on the long distance trains. The best way to tour the country is by renting a boat or barge. These boats serve from Kinshasa to Kisangani offering great scenic views of the Congo River. The boats are not frequent and the journey is a bit slower. They should be booked in advance. Buses, taxis and cars are other popular modes of transport. But the road condition of Zaire is not good. There are restrictions on tourist travel around the country. A permit from the Ministry of the Interior is required for traveling the country. Zaire offers excellent accommodation facilities with a good number of bed and breakfast hotels, restaurants, villas and lodges.
For further details and information on Zaire and its tourist destinations flip through the pages of allwonderscountries Allwonderscountries
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