DR Congo may be known for conflict minerals and proxy wars, but it is also a country with rich ancient traditions, a colourful cultural energy and amazing potential, says Vava Tampa. Its natural wonders include Virunga National Park.
Beauty beyond the conflict —
DR Congo may be known for conflict minerals and proxy wars, but it is also a country with rich ancient traditions, a colourful cultural energy and amazing potential, says Vava Tampa. Its natural wonders include Virunga National Park.
RICCARDO GANGALE/AFP/Getty Images
Years of war have reduced Congo from being a potential economic powerhouse to one of the world's poorest countries. But there are glimmers of hope, says Tampa.
Hope after violence —
Years of war have reduced Congo from being a potential economic powerhouse to one of the world's poorest countries. But there are glimmers of hope, says Tampa.
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Congo's vast, fertile agricultural land has tremendous potential to grow crops that could lift millions out of extreme poverty.
Farming potential —
Congo's vast, fertile agricultural land has tremendous potential to grow crops that could lift millions out of extreme poverty.
LIONEL HEALING/AFP/Getty Images
The Congo Basin rainforest is one of the natural wonders of the world, home to 10,000 species of plants.
Natural wonder —
The Congo Basin rainforest is one of the natural wonders of the world, home to 10,000 species of plants.
JUNIOR D.KANNAH/AFP/Getty Images
Congo has more than half of Africa's water reserves and is home to four of the continent's great lakes, including Lake Kivu, pictured.
Great lakes —
Congo has more than half of Africa's water reserves and is home to four of the continent's great lakes, including Lake Kivu, pictured.
Phil Moore/AFP/Getty Images
Congo's lakes and rivers, if coupled with the needed infrastructure to fulfill its potential, could be a breadbasket for the region, says Tampa.
Fishing potential —
Congo's lakes and rivers, if coupled with the needed infrastructure to fulfill its potential, could be a breadbasket for the region, says Tampa.
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images
Tampa says Congo has the potential to be a huge tourist attraction, creating jobs and businesses for the region. Tourists take a photo of a volcanic eruption at the Virunga National Park, near Goma.
Tourist attractions —
Tampa says Congo has the potential to be a huge tourist attraction, creating jobs and businesses for the region. Tourists take a photo of a volcanic eruption at the Virunga National Park, near Goma.
Steve Terill/AFP/Getty Images
The Virunga National Park offers travelers sightings of mountain gorillas, as well as a 250-meter wide lava lake.
Virunga National Park —
The Virunga National Park offers travelers sightings of mountain gorillas, as well as a 250-meter wide lava lake.
courtesy Virunga National Park
Congo is known for its mining industry and mineral reserves, but more important is its geo--strategic position, bordering nine countries and at the crossroads of African democratization and development, says Tampa.
More than minerals —
Congo is known for its mining industry and mineral reserves, but more important is its geo--strategic position, bordering nine countries and at the crossroads of African democratization and development, says Tampa.
Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
There are plans for Congo's Inga dam to form part of a multi-billion dollar hydropower project with a capacity of 40,000 MW -- twice as much as the Three Gorges dam in China.
Hydropower —
There are plans for Congo's Inga dam to form part of a multi-billion dollar hydropower project with a capacity of 40,000 MW -- twice as much as the Three Gorges dam in China.
International Rivers
One of the country's most famous native animals is the shy, endangered okapi.
Rare wildlife —
One of the country's most famous native animals is the shy, endangered okapi.
Jan-Philipp Strobel/AFP/Getty Image
Congo's amazing wildlife includes 1,000 bird species, 900 species of butterflies, 280 species of reptiles, 216 species of amphibians, as well as hippos and elephants.
Biodiversity —
Congo's amazing wildlife includes 1,000 bird species, 900 species of butterflies, 280 species of reptiles, 216 species of amphibians, as well as hippos and elephants.
John Moore/AFP/Getty Images
Congo is also home to 400 species of mammals (including more than 80% of African primates). Pictured, rescued bonobos at the <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/03/world/africa/lola-ya-bonobo-congo/" target="_blank">"Lola ya Bonobo" sanctuary</a>, outside Kinshasa.
Biodiversity —
Congo is also home to 400 species of mammals (including more than 80% of African primates). Pictured, rescued bonobos at the "Lola ya Bonobo" sanctuary, outside Kinshasa.
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