The Congo, in west-central Africa, is bordered by the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, the Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one-quarter the size of the U.S. The principal rivers are the Ubangi and Bomu in the north and the Congo in the west, which flows into the Atlantic. The entire length of Lake Tanganyika lies along the eastern border with Tanzania and Burundi.
Country lead by President: Joseph Kabila (2001)
Prime Minister: Antoine Gizenga (2006)
Population
62,660,551 (growth rate: 3.1%); birth rate: 43.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 88.6/1000; life expectancy: 51.5; density per sq mi: 72
Land Area
875,520 sq mi (2,267,599 sq km); total area: 905,568 sq mi (2,345,410 sq km)
Monetary unit
Congolese franc Language
French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Ethnicity With over 200 African ethnic groups, the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes—Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic)—make up about 45% of the population
Religion Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Islam 10%; other syncretic and indigenous 10%
Transportation Railways: total: 5,138 km (2004). Highways: total: 157,000 km; paved: n.a. (including 30 km of expressways); unpaved: n.a. (1999 est.). Waterways: 15,000 km (navigation on the Congo curtailed by fighting) (2004). Ports and harbors: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka. Airports: 230 (2004 est.).
Internet tld
.cd
Travel guides to Congo, Democratic Republic of the
