The Congo River, located in Central Africa, is the second longest river in Africa after the Nile and the second largest river in the world by discharge volume. It flows through the Congo Basin, which is one of the world's largest tropical rainforests. The river has a length of about 4,700 kilometers (2,920 miles) and passes through several countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo. It plays a crucial role in the ecology and economy of the region, providing transportation, water, and a habitat for diverse wildlife.