[kong-goh] 
| 1. | People's Republic of the, a republic in central Africa, W of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: formerly an overseas territory in French Equatorial Africa; now an independent member of the French Community. 2,583,198; 132,046 sq. mi. (341,999 sq. km). Capital: Brazzaville. Formerly, French Congo, Middle Congo. |
| 2. | Democratic Republic of the. Formerly, Zaire (1971–97), Democratic Republic of the Congo (1960–71), Belgian Congo (1908–60), Congo Free State (1885–1908). a republic in central Africa: a former Belgian colony; gained independence 1960. 47,440,362; 905,568 sq. mi. (2,345,410 sq. km). Capital: Kinshasa. |
| 3. | Also called Zaire. a river in central Africa, flowing in a great loop from SE Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Atlantic. ab. 3000 mi. (4800 km) long. |
| 4. | Kongo. |
| Congo River Formerly also Zaire River A river of central Africa flowing about 4,666 km (2,900 mi) north, west, and southwest through the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) to the Atlantic Ocean. Its remotest tributaries rise in northern Zambia. For much of its latter course the river forms the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. |
River of central Africa, flowing through Democratic Republic of Congo to the Atlantic Ocean.
Note: One of the world's longest rivers, it is Africa's largest potential source of electric power.
Note: Explored separately but simultaneously by the missionary David Livingstone and the journalist Henry Stanley, the Congo was the site of their proverbial encounter. (See “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”)
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