The Democratic Republic of the Congo lies on the Equator, with one-third of the country to the north and two-thirds to the south. The climate is hot and humid in the river basin and cool and dry in the southern highlands, with a cold, alpine climate in the Rwenzori Mountains.
The defining feature of the country is the second largest rainforest in the world. Rivers large and small snake throughout the country and with a poor road network remains the main means of transport to this day.
Health problems have been a long standing issue limiting development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).