Pool Malebo

Introduction

Widening of the Congo River; part of the border between the R Congo and the DR Congo The Pool Malebo, formerly Stanley Pool, also known as Mpumbu, Lake Nkunda or Lake Nkuna by local indigenous people in pre colonial times, is a lake like widening in the lower reaches of the Congo River.Widening of the Congo River; part of the border between the R Congo and the DR Congo The Pool Malebo, formerly Stanley Pool, also known as Mpumbu, Lake Nkunda or Lake Nkuna by local indigenous people in pre colonial times, is a lake like widening in the lower reaches of the Congo River.

The river serves as the border between the Republic of the Congo to the north and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south.The river serves as the border between the Republic of the Congo to the north and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south.

The pool's former name was in honour of the British explorer and journalist Sir Henry Morton Stanley, who mapped this area.The pool's former name was in honour of the British explorer and journalist Sir Henry Morton Stanley, who mapped this area.

History

In the late 19th century, British colonists named this natural feature Stanley Pool, after British explorer and journalist Henry Morton Stanley, who had mapped and reported on this region.In the late 19th century, British colonists named this natural feature Stanley Pool, after British explorer and journalist Henry Morton Stanley, who had mapped and reported on this region.

When a railway was constructed nearby, a plaque was installed at Palaba to commemorate the rail line connecting Matadi to Stanley Pool.When a railway was constructed nearby, a plaque was installed at Palaba to commemorate the rail line connecting Matadi to Stanley Pool.

Description

The Pool Malebo is about long, wide and in surface area.The Pool Malebo is about long, wide and in surface area.

Its central part is occupied by M'Bamou or Bamu Island The river reaches sea level at the port of Boma, Congo, after a passage of 300 km.Its central part is occupied by M'Bamou or Bamu Island The river reaches sea level at the port of Boma, Congo, after a passage of 300 km.

Flora

There are many palm and papyrus swamps along the edges of the river and pool.There are many palm and papyrus swamps along the edges of the river and pool.

Floating mats of Eichhornia plants move on the river and drift through the pool.Floating mats of Eichhornia plants move on the river and drift through the pool.

Fish

Most fish endemic to the area are catfishes, including the mountain catfish, L. brieni, Leptoglanis mandevillei, L. bouilloni and Atopochilus chabanaudi, an upside down catfish.Most fish endemic to the area are catfishes, including the mountain catfish, L. brieni, Leptoglanis mandevillei, L. bouilloni and Atopochilus chabanaudi, an upside down catfish.

More than 200 fish species have been documented.More than 200 fish species have been documented.

Mormyrids are the most common, with over 40 species, and have the highest diversification.Mormyrids are the most common, with over 40 species, and have the highest diversification.