The voyage of discovery of the River Zaïre, 1979

The River Zaire, formerly the Congo, is the second longest in Africa at 4,670 kilometers / 2,900 miles and rises in the southeastern region where it is called the Lualaba. Tides effect the river up to 100 kilometers / 62 miles upstream. It flows through tropical rainforest and grasslands on its way to its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. The source of the Zaire is the Lualaba River by the border of Zaire and Zambia. From here it flows north and crosses the Equator where it then drops down the mighty Boyoma Falls, a spectacular waterfall. The river then flows through tropical rainforest, following the border between Congo and Zaire. The people of Zaire call the river "Zaire". The people of Congo call it the "Congo". There are many rapids found on the Zaire, both near its source and near its mouth. The rapids are very useful to the people who live in Congo and Zaire. Many species of fish live in the river. The fishermen have found a way of catching the fish in the rapids.

First Day Covers (FDC):

Note: Blanco or airmail envelopes are not shown here but do exist.

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