Country Profile · No. 12

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Capital / Admin Capital

KinshasaPopulation: ~116.5MIndependence: 1960 (June 30)

First President

Joseph Kasa-Vubu (1960–1965)Current President: Félix Tshisekedi (serving since January 2019)

Geography & Borders

Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Atlantic Ocean. Second-largest country in Africa by area.

Demographics & Language

Christianity (~95%). Official: French language. National: Lingala language, Swahili language, Kikongo, Tshiluba. Major groups: Mongo, Luba, Kongo, Mangbetu-Azande (~250 ethnic groups total).

Economy & GDP

Mineral mining (cobalt, copper, diamonds, coltan, gold), timber, hydroelectric power, agriculture.

Global Diaspora

1. France (~100k–150k), 2. Belgium (~100k), 3. South Africa (~80k), 4. United States (~40k–50k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): Texas (Houston/Dallas), Washington (Seattle), Georgia (Atlanta).

Major Conflicts

Congo Crisis (1960–1965), First Congo War (1996–1997, overthrow of Mobutu Sese Seko), Second Congo War ("Africa's World War," 1998–2003), Kivu conflict (2004–present).

3 Must-See Sites

1. Virunga National Park (Africa's oldest national park and sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas and active lava lakes), 2. Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Dense tropical rainforest refuge protecting eastern lowland gorillas), 3. Congo River / Boyoma Falls (A series of massive cataracts along the mighty Congo River basin).

Quick Facts

Holds a vast portion of the world's critical mineral reserves including cobalt and coltan essential for global technology; home to the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world after the Amazon.