Giraffes mainly inhabit the northeastern grasslands. Historical Flags of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a landlocked central African country known for its rich biodiversity of wildlife. There are over 1.9 million rubber trees growing in the Amazon Rainforest. The most Congo families were found in the USA in 1880. Several national parks, most in the eastern highlands, and wildlife preserves protect remaining species. We believe in developing the skills of young people – the next generation of leaders. Forest occurs in places where minimum temperature is above 6°C. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is named after the Congo River, which flows throughout the country.The Congo River is the world's deepest river and the world's second-largest river by discharge.The Comité d'études du haut Congo ("Committee for the Study of the Upper Congo"), established by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1876, and the International Association of the Congo, … Other Names: East African Redwood, Kosso. Source. List of Top 15 Endangered and Critically Endangered Plants: Here are the list of endangered plants with names and pictures. Passion flowers (Passiflora spp.) Among these, mahogany, ebony, limba, wenge, agba, iroko, and sapele provide timber. It is mainly found in tropical areas. Another rain forest tree which grows in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the mahogany tree. The mahogany tree is a large canopy tree that grows in most rain forests around the world. There are around 1,000 animal species and 600 tree species which live in Congo. The Congo family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. It is the national tree of Madagascar. Fibrous plants include raffia and sisal. This enormous tree was discovered only in August 2006 in a remote part of Redwood National Park, California by naturalists Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor. In 1840 there were 4 Congo families living in Delaware. Among these, mahogany, ebony, limba, wenge, agba, … These ceremonies usually take place at a specific time of day. Congo Fruit Trees and the most popular plants Australians buy for mail order. These vessels are opened and the latex which runs out is collected in buckets. As its common name suggests, the pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is a small-sized palm tree.This is a true type of palm in the family Arecaceae and it doesn’t grow taller than 10 ft. (3 m). This flag was stopped using in 1997 when the nation’s name was changed back to Congo by the new government. The tree has a rough brown-gray bark on the stem, a rounded crown, and paripinnate compound leaves. This tree is used to make many commercial products, such as chocolate, candles, soap and lubricating creams. One of the most fire-resistant of all tree species is the Baobab. Forest giants have long been considered the oldest trees in tropical forests, but new research shows small trees can also be very old, and can even grow older than the big ones. place Find Most Popular. Flowers Plants Trees ‘Leonard Messel’ Kobushi Magnolia There are thousands of varieties of flowering trees available, including Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ pictured above, which blushes a rosy pink and grows into a small tree up to 30 feet tall. Adansonia digitata, or Baobab tree, was named in honour of Michel Adanson, the naturalist who first saw it in Senegal, Africa about 1750. The leadwood tree (Combretum imberbe) grows to 65 feet tall with a thick gray trunk and heavy branches at the very top of the tree. There are a total of eight types of its kind: six species live in the drier parts of Madagascar, two in mainland Africa, one in Australia and three in India. The trees reach heights of 5 to … The oil palm is a tree found in the Congo. Though the most of the regions remain highly unaltered, expanding human population and activities pose a threat to the diversity of this country. Bornean orangutans represent 90% of orangutan population in the wild, while the remaing 10% is represented by the Sumatran orangutan. Many unusual animals live in the Congo Basin. They also grow … (The company’s name, Fever-Tree, is itself a nod to the plant’s healing powers.) Ontario had the highest population of Congo … There are also numerous varieties of bees, grasshoppers, caterpillars, praying mantises, beetles, dragonflies, scorpions, mosquitoes, tsetse flies, ants, termites, spiders, centipedes, and millipedes. Congo Rainforest Facts. As part of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, we collaborate with local governments and communities to sustainably manage the forests and protect wildlife. Plants. For example, researchers have found that Central African forests generally have taller trees but lower density of small trees than forests in the Amazon or Borneo. Over 10 million trees have been planted to help meet the needs of local people and preserve mountain gorilla habitat. In fact, oil palms are so useful that parts of the Congo have been deforested in order to make way for plantations. The name congensis is derived from the natural habitat of the tree, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The trainees from this workshop will work together to produce a Red List of exploitable trees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with data collection and analysis supervised in a collaborative partnership between a national panel and IUCN and the IUCN Species Survival Commission. The lumber produced by the plant provides people with the materials to construct boats, buildings and other necessary items. names are assigned based on the history, such as the folk specific “Kongo ya sika” given to Eichornia. For instance, bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis) has been domesticated through an effort byICRAF scientists working with research partners and communities in … This was about 31% of all the recorded Congo's in the USA. Guide to Democratic Republic of the Congo ancestry, family history, and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, parish registers, and military records.. Country Information [edit | edit source]. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The tree is said to produce the blackest heartwood which is hard, durable, has fine pores and polishes well thus making it a highly over-exploited species. name of that family member regardless of their gender (and whether that family member was a parent or sibling) as a way of honoring the dead. Facts … Facts about Congo Rainforest 3: the unique animals. Hardy and heavy, mopane wood is termite resistant, but not all bugs have abandoned this tree. It has evergreen leaves and star-shaped white, pink, lilac, or magenta showy flowers that occur in rounded clusters. The tree is native to Madagascar and inland Africa. Plants of the Congo River Basin forests From left to right: 1) African mahogany Khaya nyasica Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Other common names include 'boab', 'boaboa', 'bottle tree', 'the tree of life', 'upside-down tree', and 'monkey bread tree'. The plants of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are distributed within the five ecological regions of the country, among them tropical and sub-tropical grasslands, tropical and subtropical moist broad-leaf forests, flooded grasslands and savannas, and mangroves. This Africa Tree Guide includes descriptive information, images and the latin names of trees, as well as where they can be found. They look very similar to other rainforest trees at first glance. The name congensis is derived from the natural habitat of the tree, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Imported eucalyptus trees, which grow in stands in the highlands, are used for construction timber and poles. One of the most elegant palm trees you can grow is the Canary palm tree (Phoenix canariensis). A slow-growing, flowering fruit tree, the moabi produces sustenance to inhabitants of the Congo river basin and surrounding tropical region. This Africa Tree Guide includes descriptive information, images and the latin names of trees, as well as where they can be found. If disturbed, ants swarm the tree for protection. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. In addition to these, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, home to a portion of the threatened okapi still living in the wild, also has been recognized as a World Heritage site. The oldest known tree in Africa is the baobab (Adansonia digitata) west of Gravelotte. Natural Range: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi. A deciduous tree hailing from the Congo region, African teak presents itself as a highly useful woody plant to the inhabitants of the region. Belief in Witchcraft is common, and sometimes intersects with the more … The Baobab tree is a strange looking tree that grows in... [more information] Buffalothorn. Plant life is lush and varies between climate zones. Chimpanzees are found mostly in the equatorial forest, and gorillas live in the eastern mountains around Lake Kivu. It makes up a large portion of Africa's biodiversity with over 600 tree species and 10,000 animal species.. The Odzala rainforest, part of the national park in central Democratic Republic of Congo. Country Birds Amphibians Mammals Reptiles Fish Vascular plants; D.R. The Glabra is an aquatic and semi-aquatic angiosperm plant native to parts of West Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This tree can reach a height of 150 feet, with the trunks sometimes growing … It is the national tree of Madagascar. WWF has also provided fuel-efficient stoves and works with communities to find alternative wood sources through private and … Okoume is the wood of the Okoume tree (Aucoumea klaineana), a species native to west-central Africa, in particular Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. In 1911 there were 14 Congo families living in Ontario. 2) Tropical Flowering Dogwood Mussaenda erythrophylla Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic . Today, the Congo Basin provides food, medicine, water, materials and shelter for over 75 million people. Another rain forest tree which grows in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the mahogany tree. Canary Palm Tree. Many species of trees in forests around world are listed as endangered plants and consideration must be taken not to become extinct in the near future. There are a total of eight types of its kind: six species live in the drier parts of Madagascar, two in mainland Africa, one in Australia and three in India. The plant is exploited for local medicinal treatments such as treating snakebites, skin diseases and wounds. The plant has narrow spear-shaped leaves, a leaf stem of around 35 centimeters and can survive amid low light intensity. The world’s best quinine, the key ingredient in tonic, can be found in Eastern Congo. The Congo Basin is the second largest tropical rainforest in the world, with almost 2 million square kilometers of humid forest- an area about the size of Mexico. Over 8,000 plant species have been … Emin’s Strophanthus is native to the Democratic Republic of Congo, with its habitats being found in the deciduous woodlands and rocky bushlands lying at elevations of between 600 meters and 1,650 meters. This list may not reflect recent changes (). It produces attractive blossoms of white, yellow and orange, which become the round green pear-like fruits of the plant. Longan - Seedling $ 24.75 ($ 17.75-$ 24.75 choose a size) A close relative to the Lychee tree but much larger, stronger and more cold tolerant. The Buffalothorn is a deciduous tree, … The Egyptian Starcluster is a tropical woody sub-shrub perennial and herbaceous plant native to eastern and central Africa, as well as to Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula. They have a very slow growth rate with about four leaves a year. Once its host has died the Strangler Fig … This is one of the densest hardwood trees in the world. Bonobos are also present, though they are found only in lowland rainforests along the south bank of the Congo River. However, on closer inspection, you will see small holes at various places along the branches. Historical Flags of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo. Baobab is the common name of a genus of trees (Adansonia). The culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is extremely diverse, ... nature spirits and the creator god—are generally performed at particular locations such as sacred trees, grottoes or crossroads. Elephants and various species of monkeys and baboons are found in forest and savanna woodlands; African forest elephants (a smaller, distinct species of elephant) are limited to the forest. The new modern flag had a lighter shade of blue for the background and was officially adopted on February 20, 2006. Guide to Democratic Republic of the Congo ancestry, family history, and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, parish registers, and military records.. Country Information [edit | edit source]. Dark yellow flowers are produced at the end of the branches and last for about a month. Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960. It reaches across six countries in central and west Africa. Today the African rainforest is home to some of the most celebrated traditional tribal peoples, the so-called "Pygmies" of the Ituri forest in northern Congo. The diameter of the tree stem can reach 6 centimeters, and the plant produces fragrant flowers with a pink, white, or red corolla tube. The upper layer (35 – 45 m) of evergreen forests in the central part of the Congo River Basin is dominated by a few species such as Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, Julbernadia seretii and Brachystegia laurentii. … Plants. Family: Rosaceae. Strangler Fig: The Strangler Fig is a keystone species in the Congo rainforest as they bear fruits for a number of animals in their ecosystem. Former flag of the Democratic Republic of the … Latex is used to make natural rubber. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles are common in the rivers and the lakes, and whales, dolphins, and lungfishes are found near the coast. The plant is found in the rainforest streams and swamps of the Democratic Republic of the Congo growing on the river banks and rocks in the stream. The most Congo families were found in the USA in 1880. Reptiles are common and include various snakes—such as pythons, vipers, and tree cobras—as well as lizards, chameleons, salamanders, frogs, and turtles. In spite of efforts to limit hunting, animal life has diminished. Postcode or Suburb. The Congo family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. Chamaleon . Both tree toads and tree frogs tend to be small in order to be able to climb and hide well in trees. One of the most fire-resistant of all tree species is the Baobab. This was about 93% of all the recorded Congo's in Canada. The Congo rainforest is known for its high levels of biodiversity, including more than 600 tree species and 10,000 animal species. The two species of chimpanzee, for example, live only in the Congo rainforests.The large one is the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), and the smaller one is the bonobo (Pan … From 1971 to 1997 the country was officially the Republic of Zaire, a change made by then ruler Gen. Mobutu Sese Seko to give the country what he thought was a more authentic African name. Adansonia digitata, or Baobab tree, was named in honour of Michel Adanson, the naturalist who first saw it in Senegal, Africa about 1750. The location and times vary according to the ethnic group. The rain forest of central Africa’s Congo Basin ranks second in size after the Amazon and plays host to more than 10,000 plant species. The tree is harvested for latex, a milky fluid found in vessels in the tree’s bark. Australia > NSW > Congo . Republic of the Congo - Republic of the Congo - Plant and animal life: Much of the country is covered with tropical rainforest, although logging has cleared areas in the south. Many have trunks 30 feet in diameter. It makes up a large portion of Africa's biodiversity with over 600 tree species and 10,000 animal species.. Baobab. Some of its most famous residents include forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, okapi, leopards, hippos, and lions. It is a semi-deciduous hardwood native to the tree savannas and mixed forests of South Africa, north to the tropical regions of central Africa. Seed selected from the superior … Flag of Zaire (former DRC) Flag of Zaire used from 1971 to 1997. lombi tree. Plants. Most of … The plant is used as an aquarium plant due to its reduced requirements and low predation by herbivorous fishes. The dense growth of African oak, red cedar, walnut, softwood okoumé, or gaboon mahogany, and hardwood limba (Terminalia superba) remaining in some regions provides an evergreen canopy over the sparse undergrowth of leafy plants … Growing up to 50 meters in height, the massive tree produces bark that varies in color from yellow and green to medium brown. Jellyfish live in Lake Tanganyika. Work area: Forests. The Amazon rain forest is the largest on the planet. The central basin is a vast reservoir of native trees and plants. Participatory Domestication enables farmers to grow these trees widely in agroforestry systems, and multiplies these gains. The Congo Basin is home to one of the world’s largest tropical rainforests – second only to the Amazon. 2. Chamaleons are camouflage artists and are able to change their colour giving life to one of Mother Nature’s most surprising special effects. These actions are typically initiated by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The leaves are leathery and conical. The high canopy blocks out light, which limits the growth of shrubs and grass below, and favours epiphytes. Several of these parks have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites: Garamba’s expansive savannas and grass- and woodlands are home to a number of important species, including the critically endangered white rhinoceros; Virunga is notable for a variety of habitats—some of which include active volcanoes—and the especially broad biodiversity sheltered there; the tropical forests of Kahuzi-Biega are known for their diverse fauna and for populations of endangered eastern lowland gorillas; and Salonga, among the largest tropical rainforest reserves in Africa, is an important habitat for a number of endangered and endemic species. The beautiful Canary palm tree has a tall trunk with large leaves. But it’s the Baobab’s bulk and stature that is so astonishing. Other native plants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo include Lubbers’ Oeceoclades Orchid, the African Jessenia Liverwort, the Black Guarea, the Wooden Pear, and the Haut-Katanga Dayflower. More information. Both are amphibians belonging to the order Anura, with true frogs belonging to the family Ranidae and true toads belonging to the family Bufonidae. Indigenous fruit trees can also serve as a source of income for farmers to improve livelihoods. The Basin is defined by the watershed of the Congo River, located primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo, … Adansonia grandidieri, Madagascar Baobab is the common name of a genus of trees (Adansonia). The heart of the Congo basin is blanketed by an intricate forest system commonly known as the equatorial rainforest. Specifically, quinine comes from the bark of the cinchona tree, which has been used to treat and prevent malaria for centuries. The eastern plateaus are covered by grasslands, and mountain forest, bamboo thickets, and Afro-Alpine vegetation occur on the highest mountains. © Alan Watson/Forest Light. Natural rubber has many uses, including car tyres, hoses, pulley belts and clothing. It can grow to be nearly 100 feet tall. … The palm … Humans have inhabited the forests of the Congo Basin for tens of thousands of years. 2) Tropical Flowering Dogwood Mussaenda erythrophylla Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic . Ensuring protection of the Congo Basin requires a massive effort that reaches beyond political borders, especially when six countries have a direct stake. There are hundreds of butterfly species; in the savanna woodlands, butterflies fill the skies at the beginning of the rains. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country in Africa bordered by the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, … Their love for trees is expressed by their own name, orang-untang, “man of the forests” in Malaysian. The basin of the Congo has 70% of Africa's plant cover. Important commercial trees include African mahogany, gaboon and utile. Our WYLD Programme equips young people with transferable ‘life’ and leadership skills, supports them with mentoring and encourages them to get involved in their community. It can grow to be nearly 100 feet tall. Threats to the flora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo include pressure on forests due to population increase, construction of roads, logging and oil palm plantations which lead to the destruction of the natural ecosystems thus threatening the survival of these plant species. Baobab. This is known as ‘rubber tapping’. These leaves also give the tree its name: 'mopane' is the Shona word for butterfly. IUCN Conservation Status Not Evaluated (NE) Share on Twitter; Share on Facebook; Share on Google+; Hagenia abyssinica is a highly ornamental tree species with an umbrella shaped crown, and large attractive … But it’s the Baobab’s bulk and stature that is so astonishing. If you want to spot the unique animals, you have to go to the Congo Basin. The Congo rainforest is known for its high levels of biodiversity, including over 600 species of trees and 10,000 species of animals. With fruit trees you should consider climate suitability. The tree is no less than 115.72 meters (379.7 feet) tall! The tree is found in the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, and Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a landlocked central African country known for its rich biodiversity of wildlife. … They include Garamba, near the South Sudanese border; Virunga, north of Lake Edward in the Virunga Mountains; Maiko, west of Lake Edward; Kahuzi-Biega, north of Bukavu; Upemba, north of the Manika Plateau; Salonga, in the central Congo River basin; and Kundelungu, northeast of Lubumbashi near the Zambian border. In the Congo Basin, the Moabi tree (Baillonella toxisperma), an important resource for timber and medicine, is large seeded and dispersed only by large mammals such as elephants and gorillas. Congolese rivers, lakes, and swamps are well stocked with a variety of fish, such as capitaine from the Congo River and catfish, electric fish, eels, cichlids, and many others. Baobab Tree. Approximately 16,000 tree species, with 227 hyperdominant species, were found in the Amazon’s lowland rain forest alone, according a 2013 report in the journal Science.Some common dominant trees include those of the Brazil nut family (Lecythidaceae), the nutmeg family (Myristicaceae) and palm family (Palmaceae). 1. Forest giants have long been considered the oldest trees in tropical forests, but new research shows small trees can also be very old, and can even grow older than the big ones. Other names. Trees in the Congo rainforest are taller, occur at a lower density, and store a lot of carbon. The sjambok pod is a deciduous tree with long, tail-like, dehiscent, seed pods, and it grows to a height of 6 to 12 meters. A tree familiar to a few Amazon Rainforest visitors, the tangarana tree (Triplaris americana) has many different names. The lumber of this tree is known by many names, among them Acoume, Gaboon wood, Uume and Zouga. People of the Congo Rainforest - the 'Pygmies' Note: for this section, references to "African forest peoples" generally refers to the traditional practices and way of life for a subset forest-dependent people who live in tropical forests, rather than farming communities (typically Bantu or Sudanic in ethnicity) that live in villages in forests. The central basin is a vast reservoir of native trees and plants. The tree is native to Madagascar and inland Africa. Many unusual animals live in the Congo Basin. Within its native range, Okoume is considered widespread and relatively common. Others clear patches of rainforest and plant crops growing small produce, for example; cassava ( a woody, edible shrub), corn and yams. Hello every one i am about to answer this question !The Fauna you may find includes,Panda Bear, White or Albeno Gorilla, Near extinct Tocans, And the rarest of all the 2 tounged lizzard. 3. The people of the Congo Rainforest are mostly indigenous. Other Types of Palm Tree (With Pictures and Names) Depending on your climate and type of garden you have, there are many species of tall palm trees that look majestic in subtropical and tropical gardens. The Congo Tree is a youth development charity based in DRC and the UK. The results from this project are expected for 2012. However, all toads are frogs but not all frogs are toads, with toads having unique features that distinguish them from the main frog group. are are one of the favorite … All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2021 worldatlas.com, Native Plants Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Congo-Kinshasa), Ethnic Groups In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Congo-Kinshasa), Religious Beliefs In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Congo-Kinshasa), Ecological Regions Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Kinshasa), Longest Rivers In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Congo-Kinshasa). Insects are innumerable. Thus, it is not uncommon to find girls with what is considered a “male name” and vice versa. Paphiopedilum Fairrieanum: Paphiopedilum fairrieanum is a type of orchid which grows from eastern … Common Name: Trumpet Tree, Snakewood, Congo pump, Wild pawpaw, Pop-a-gun: Family: Urticaceae: USDA hardiness: 9-12: Known Hazards: The branches and leaf petioles of Cecropia species are often hollow and can harbour stinging ants. Tropical forests of West Africa . The smaller one is Pan paniscus or bonobo, while the larger one is Pan troglodytes or the common chimpanzee. Such as the Mbendjele Yaka pygmies of Congo-Brazzaville, rely on the forest for their livelihood and are hunter gatherers meaning that they hunt animals and they gather foods from the rainforest. Delaware had the highest population of Congo families in 1840. Species counts for Congo Basin countries. This is probably linked to its defense. To the northwest, a strip of rainforest continues to the highlands of Cameroon, and along the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Besides the Mbuti, there are three other major rainforest peoples of Africa: the Aka (Central African Republic and northern Congo), the Baka or BaAka (southern … Plants of the Congo River Basin forests From left to right: 1) African mahogany Khaya nyasica Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Flowers Plants Trees ‘Leonard Messel’ Kobushi Magnolia There are thousands of varieties of flowering trees available, including Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ pictured above, which blushes a rosy pink and grows into a small tree up to 30 feet tall. The mahogany tree is a large canopy tree that grows in most rain forests around the world. Conservation measures include educating the population and working together with them to safeguard the natural biodiversity. Pages in category "Trees of the Democratic Republic of the Congo" The following 9 pages are in this category, out of 9 total. Most of the coniferous forests or Taiga or Boreal forest are evergreen (except lirch). Characteristics of trees: 1. Native Africans used the wood for hoes before metallurgy was … Congo: 1087: 244: 430: 294: 1480: 11007: Cameroon: 874: 218: 335: 283: 1042: 8260: Gabon: 606: 96: 182: 138: 774: 6651: Republic of Congo: 606: 75: 197: 344: 771: 6000: Central … Birdlife includes pelicans, parrots, many species of sunbirds, pigeons, ducks, geese, eagles, vultures, cuckoos, owls, cranes, storks, and swallows. In the north, in the primary forests of Uele, Aruwimi, and Ituri, live okapi, giant wild boars, and short antelopes. Including secondary and savanna forest, the area equals about 3 million square kilometers, almost half the size of the continental US. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, Belgian paternalism and the politics of decolonization. The re… 3) Strangler fig Ficus zarzalensisCameroon. Baobab Tree. The species has been classified as least concern due to the ability to propagate it in aquariums. Lions and leopards inhabit the grasslands, and jackals, hyenas, cheetahs, wildcats, wild dogs, buffaloes, antelopes, wild hogs, and black and white rhinoceroses are found in the grasslands and savanna woods. The Congo Tree est un association pour la développement de la jeunesse, … This flag was stopped using in 1997 when the nation’s name was changed back to Congo by the new government. The protectors are a species of fire ant The tree is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as other African countries including Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, and Tanzania. The new modern flag had a lighter shade of blue for the background and was officially adopted on February 20, 2006.