Central Africa: The Green Heart

Central Africa is sometimes called the 'Green Heart of Africa' because of its massive, lush rainforests, second only to the Amazon! Historically, powerful kingdoms like the Kingdom of Kongo ruled this area. Sadly, it suffered greatly during European colonization, especially under Belgian rule. However, the resilient people of Central Africa fought for their freedom and gained independence in the mid-20th century.

The people of Central Africa are known for their rich traditions, incredible wood carvings, and energetic music like Soukous, which makes everyone want to dance. The Congo River, one of the deepest and most powerful rivers in the world, flows right through this region. Today, Central Africa includes countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, Gabon, and the Central African Republic. The deep forests are home to amazing, rare animals like gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants.