The Virungas
The jungle of the misty Virunga volcano mountains in central Africa is so dense
that even the raindrops falling in rain season do not reach the muddy ground.
Snow and glaciers cover the top of the highest mountains.
The richly biodiverse Virungas are home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
Virunga goes back to the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga meaning volcanoes. The Virunga volcanoes are part of the East African Rift – the largest seismically active rift system on Earth. When Nyiragongo volcano erupted in 2002, its lava flow reached Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
The border region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda has repeatedly been shaken by crises and wars. The beauty of the land and its vast natural resources are in sharp contrast with living conditions of the people.
Virunga goes back to the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga meaning volcanoes. The Virunga volcanoes are part of the East African Rift – the largest seismically active rift system on Earth. When Nyiragongo volcano erupted in 2002, its lava flow reached Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
The border region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda has repeatedly been shaken by crises and wars. The beauty of the land and its vast natural resources are in sharp contrast with living conditions of the people.
