LESSON 4

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO-LAND OF DENSE FOREST

QI. TICK THE CORRECT ANSWERS

1. Equator
2. Evergreen
3. Congo, also called Zaire, is the longest river in Africa
4. Hot, wet and humid
5. Matadi

QII. MATCH THE FOLLOWING

1 Cassava Staple food crop

2 Farming and mining Main occupation
3 Bantu Largest tribe
4 Pygmies Short statured
5 Kinshasa Capital

QIII. FILL IN THE BLANK

1. Tropical
2. Kinshasa
3. Third
4. Kivu, Albert, Edward, Tanganyika
5. Thin
6. Bantus
7. Matadi

QIV TRUE OR FALSE

1. False ( 1960)
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. False (has large verities of trees and plants)
6. True
7. False (thin population)
8. True

QV. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. What is the importance of the Zaire river?

Ans. The river Congo, also known as Zaire is called ‘Highway of Central Africa’ because it is the most important
means of transport in the country.

2. Describe the climate of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ans. Congo has hot and wet climate throughout the year i.e. equatorial type of climate. Mornings are pleasant
but noons are very hot with heavy rainfall.

3. Why are the forest in Democratic Republic of Congo called ‘Evergreen forest’?

Ans. The rainforests are called Evergreen forests because there is a dense growth of creepers and shrubs.
Trees of the forests remain green throughout the year because they do not shed the leaves at the same time.

4. Why is Democratic Republic of Congo called the ‘Natural zoo of the world’?

Ans. The Democratic Republic of Congo is ‘The Natural Zoo of the World’ because it provides habitat to a large
number of animals, birds, reptiles, insects etc. A special mammal called the Okapi is found in the forest of
Congo.

5. Describe the lifestyle of the Pygmies.

Ans. Pygmies are a primitive tribe who live in dense forest. They are extremely short and live in houses made
of twigs, leaves and tree branches. They live by hunting, trapping animals and gathering honey and food. Their
population has reduced due to migration.

6. Why is water an important resource in Democratic Republic of Congo?

Ans. Water is an important resource because it is used for producing hydro electricity which makes up for
shortage of fuels like coal and petroleum.

7. The climate and vegetation of which state of India is almost similar to the Democratic Republic of
Congo? How?

Ans. The climate and vegetation of Kerala is almost similar to those of Democratic Republic of Congo because
Kerala is very close to the Equator. Like Congo, Kerala also experiences hot and wet climate.

MAP WORK

On the physical map of the world mark the following

1. Equatorial regions
2. Continents of the world