More than 5,000 miles away from the infamous Amazon Rainforest, the Congo Basin sits in Central Africa as one of the most important wilderness areas that remain on Earth.

The massive ecological hub is the world’s second-largest tropical forest, and sitting at over 500 million acres it is larger than the state of Alaska. 

The Congo Basin spreads across six countries in Central Africa, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The rainforest is made up of a puzzle of rivers, forests, savannas, swamps and floodest forests, and is home to around 10,000 species of tropical plants. 

A total of 30 per cent of these plants are unique to the region, nodding at how important it is for the planet’s ecodiversity. Some 400 species of mammals including endangered species such as forest elephants, chimpanzees, bonobos and lowland and mountain gorillas are sprawled out across the lush forests. 

Some 1,000 species of birds and 700 species of fish also call the rainforest home. As well as animals, humans have also inhabited the Congo Basin for the last 50,000 years. 

Due to its climate, it can provide food, fresh water and shelter. Currently, over 75 million people and 150 distinct ethnic groups live in the forest. 

The Ba’Aka people of the region live an ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Due to this, they rely entirely on the rainforest for their survival. 

Other ethnic groups, who are often referred to as Pygmies are the most well-known group and have a deep knowledge of the forest. However, as populations across the globe rise, there is a greater pressure on rainforests. 

Many people have relocated closer to roads as construction has occured, but there are great strains due to logging,palm oil population and road developments, reports the WWF.

The countries that the Congo Basin runs through are some of the pooerst on earth. Those who live around the area are almost entireley dependent on the rainforest for their livelihood, so work done by charities to help maintain the forest is vital.