Mayombe

Mayombe is a geographic and ecological region in Central Africa centered on a dense tropical rainforest along the Atlantic coast. The term refers to the Mayombe forest, a humid evergreen ecosystem that stretches across parts of Angola, the Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As part of the Congo Basin, Mayombe experiences high annual rainfall, hot temperatures, and a complex mosaic of forests, swamps, and river corridors. Soils are often shallow and nutrient-poor, making forest cover critical for rainfall interception and soil protection.

The region houses a rich biodiversity typical of West-Central African rainforests, including primates, large and small mammals, large birds, and a diverse invertebrate community. River systems and coastal mangroves in transitional zones support additional habitats. The Mayombe forest is also important for its ecological services, such as carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation.

Historically, Mayombe has been inhabited by Bantu-speaking communities and has featured in regional trade networks linking inland settlements with Atlantic ports. In the colonial and post-colonial eras, logging, mining, and agricultural expansion affected large areas of the forest, while conservation and development initiatives have sought to balance economic use with forest preservation.

Today, Mayombe faces threats from deforestation, illegal logging, and mining, but it remains a focus for cross-border conservation efforts and tropical-forest research. Protecting its biodiversity and supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities are central challenges for governments and international partners.