What notorious area in Central Africa was exploited under the control of King Leopold II of Belgium?

The Congo Free State is the area in Central Africa that was notably exploited under the control of King Leopold II of Belgium. During his rule from 1885 to 1908, Leopold claimed this vast territory as his personal possession rather than a Belgian colony. His administration was marked by severe exploitation of the land and its people, primarily for rubber production. The extraction process was accompanied by extreme violence, forced labor, and widespread abuses, leading to a significant decline in the local population.

Leopold's regime drew international condemnation due to reports of atrocities committed against the Congolese people, ultimately resulting in Belgium taking control of the territory from Leopold in 1908, reestablishing it as a Belgian colony. This dark chapter in history greatly impacted the Congo and left a legacy of exploitation that influences the region to this day.

The other areas mentioned, such as Sudan, Rwanda, and Angola, while having their own complex histories with colonialism and exploitation, were not specifically under the control of King Leopold II, making the Congo Free State the correct choice in this context.