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Why can ships not travel directly between Matadi and Malebo Pool?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Physical map of the Congo River basin and its drainage network in Central Africa, showing rivers, major tributaries, elevation gradients, cities, international boundaries, and the approximate boundary of the Ituri Forest. Swamps and flood-prone areas are marked in blue, with symbols indicating waterfalls, rapids, and dams. An inset locator map shows the basin's position within Africa.
Congo River

Ships cannot travel directly between Matadi and Malebo Pool because the Congo River is obstructed by an insurmountable series of 32 cataracts and rapids known as Livingstone Falls.

Extending for approximately 220 miles (354 km) between Kinshasa and Matadi, these falls feature a total drop of about 850 feet (260 meters). This dramatic change in elevation and the turbulent nature of the water prevent navigation between the river's interior and its estuary, effectively separating the navigable inland waterways from the Atlantic Ocean.123