Britannica Sources used in this answer

How does the Congo River basin connect to the Atlantic Ocean?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Cluster of small houses in a village nestled among green hills beside the wide Congo River, with more hills visible in the background, Democratic Republic of Congo. — Central Africa A small village in the hills along the banks of the Congo River, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa.

The Congo River connects to the Atlantic Ocean by cutting through a rim of highlands and flowing through a swampy estuary.1

After traversing the middle course of the river, the Congo passes through a narrow section known as the Chenal and expands into Malebo Pool. Downstream from this point, the river descends through a series of cataracts and rapids that drop from an elevation of nearly 900 feet to sea level. The river's estuary begins at Matadi, forming the border between Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.2

As it approaches the sea, the river widens and is obstructed by islands, eventually reaching the Atlantic through a mouth approximately 6 miles wide. Beyond this point, the river's path continues offshore as a deep underwater canyon extending for about 125 miles.21