Thanks to satellite remote sensing technology, researchers have managed to determine the exact location of the source of the Congo River, the second longest river in Africa.
The study, led by Liu Shaochuang from the Institute of Aerospace Information Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established its total length at 5,260 kilometers, surpassing previous estimates ranging from 4,320 to 4,700 kilometers.
An Accurate Analysis to Resolve a Historical Controversy
Since the 19th century, explorers and geographers have conducted numerous expeditions to the Congo River, attempting to precisely define its origin.
Although the Chambeshi River in Zambia was identified as its main source, its exact location remained a subject of debate.
To settle this uncertainty, Liu combined:
- High-precision satellite images.
- On-site investigations in the source area.
Finally, he determined that the Congo River originates at 31.22° east longitude and 9.19° south latitude, at an altitude of 1,771 meters.
Technological Advances Redefining Geography
Liu emphasized that in the past, understanding the origins of rivers relied on:
- Primitive techniques.
- Traditions and legends.
Today, with technological progress, satellite remote sensing emerges as the most efficient tool to identify sources and measure lengths accurately.
“We must apply modern standards to update data on rivers and redefine their sources correctly”, explained Liu, as quoted by Xinhua.
The International Method to Identify River Sources
The approach used follows the principle of the “most distant perennial tributary”, a global rule to determine the origin of a river.
This procedure has been applied by Liu in the redefinition of more than 20 major rivers worldwide, including:
- The Yangtze and Yellow Rivers in China.
- The Nile in Africa.
- The Amazon in South America.
This discovery marks a milestone in the accuracy of hydrographic studies, enhancing knowledge of the dynamics and extent of the world’s major rivers.
Cover photo: @eMundando
