Overview of DR Congo

Profile

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa's second-largest country by land area, boasting diverse natural landscapes including the Congo River basin's tropical rainforest and the Great Lakes of the eastern Rift Valley. Its subsoil holds immense mineral wealth including cobalt, copper, gold, and diamonds, making it a crucial supplier of rare metals globally. However, the country faces numerous challenges from colonial exploitation and repeated civil wars, including political and economic instability, infrastructure deficiencies, poverty, and environmental destruction. The capital Kinshasa is known as a musical hub where Lingala pop and Congolese rumba flourish.

Official name: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Common name: DR Congo
Numeric code: 180
Alpha-3 code: COD
Alpha-2 code: CD
Population: 112 million (2024)
Population density: approximately 48
Primary languages: French, Lingala, Swahili, Kongo, Luba
Major religions: Christianity, Islam, Traditional religions
National anthem: Debout Congolais
Calling code: +243
Internet TLD: .cd

History

After independence from Belgium in 1960, the country has continued its democratic journey through coups and two major civil wars.

Following the Kingdom of Kongo from the 15th century, the region became the Congo Free State, a personal possession of Belgian King Leopold II in the late 19th century, where brutal exploitation occurred. From 1908, it remained under Belgian colonial rule as Belgian Congo until independence in 1960. The Congo Crisis erupted immediately after independence, and the country was renamed Zaire under Mobutu's regime from 1965. Laurent Kabila seized power in 1997 and restored the current name, but the Second Congo War (1998-2003), Africa's largest continental conflict, followed. Electoral transfers of power have gradually taken root since 2006, with the first peaceful transition realized in 2019, though clashes with armed groups continue in the east.

Geography & climate

Vast lowland basin and tropical rainforest in the center, surrounded by plateaus and Rift Valley mountains

Tropical rainforest and savanna climate, temperate humid in eastern highlands

Area: Africa / 2344858 km²
Capital: Kinshasa
Largest city: Kinshasa
Coastal status: Yes
Major lakes: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Kivu, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Mai-Ndombe Lake
Bordering countries: Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola

Natural resources

Cobalt, Copper, Diamonds, Gold, Petroleum, Uranium, Tin, Tantalum, Manganese, Zinc, Timber, Hydroelectric potential, Natural gas, Silver, Iron ore, Coal, Limestone, Fishery resources

Politics

Government: Semi-presidential republic

Economy

Currency: Congolese Franc (CDF)

GDP (nominal): 64 billion US dollars (2023)

GDP (PPP): 302 billion international dollars (2023)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: French, Lingala, Swahili, Kongo, Luba

Time zone: Western region: Central Africa Time, Eastern region: Central Africa Time+1

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Bakongo, Luba, Mongo, Lingala, Tutsi, Hunde, Mbuti (Pygmy)

Life expectancy

62.0

Literacy rate

79%

National sports

Football, Basketball, Handball, Boxing, Athletics