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Year 8 - Geography

Life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo: What are its opportunities and challenges?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about the physical and human geography of the DRC and how natural resources bring both opportunities and challenges. Pupils will also learn about the Congo rainforest and how conservation efforts are trying to protect this important biome.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to compare urban and rural life in the DRC.

Key Notes

  • Life in the DRC varies greatly between rural villages and urban areas like Kinshasa.
  • Rural life relies on subsistence farming and small-scale trade.
  • Urban life includes a wide range of jobs, from informal market vendors to high-income professionals.
  • High-income careers exist in areas such as banking and the oil and mining industries.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • rural: something to do with the countryside
  • urban: something to do with a city or town
  • subsistence farming: farming that provides enough food for the farmer and their family to live on, rather than for them to sell
  • migration: moving from one place to another with the intention of staying there for some time
  • informal employment: jobs that are not officially recorded or regulated and do not involve the payment of taxes

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That housing in cities is better / bigger / cheaper / more available than in rural areas.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Life in the DRC varies greatly between rural villages and urban areas like Kinshasa. Rural life relies on subsistence farming and small-scale trade.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'rural'

something to do with the countryside.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: That housing in cities is better / bigger / cheaper / more available than in rural areas. Correction: Cities are often perceived to have better or more housing but this is not always the case. Inner city housing can be small and run down; people who move to cities may not find accomodation at all and may have to live in informal settlements.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Geography guide library.