The Congo River (formerly known as the Zaire River) is the second-longest river in Africa and the deepest recorded river in the world, reaching depths of over 720 feet. Its most unique geographical feature, however, is its path. It is the only major river in the world to cross the Equator twice. It flows from the highlands of northeast Zambia, heads north across the Equator, curves through the Congo Basin, and then heads southwest, crossing the Equator a second time before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. This massive loop ensures the river has a relatively constant flow year-round, as there is always part of the river basin experiencing a rainy season in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.