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Why can boats not travel continuously between Kinshasa and the Atlantic Ocean on the Congo River?

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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.

Boats cannot travel continuously between Kinshasa and the Atlantic Ocean on the Congo River because of an insurmountable navigational barrier in the river's lower course.1

This section of the river, extending approximately 220 miles (354 km) between Kinshasa and Matadi, is characterized by Livingstone Falls—a series of 32 rapids and cataracts, including the famous Inga Falls. These features create a total drop of about 850 feet (260 meters), which prevents direct navigation from the interior to the coast.21

To overcome this obstacle, transportation between the interior and the sea relies on rail links, such as the railway connecting Kinshasa and Matadi, rather than the river itself.3