# Democratic Republic of the Congo

> country in Central Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q974](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q974)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/democratic-republic-of-the-congo

## Summary

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is located in Africa[1] and was established on June 30, 1960. Its capital is Kinshasa[2].The country’s sole official language is French[3]. As of 2023, its population is 105.8 million[4].Ilunga Ilunkamba Sylvestre serves as head of government[5].

## Summary
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a sovereign state and country located in Central Africa. It is a constitutional republic with its capital at Kinshasa, having gained independence on June 30, 1960. As of 2023, it has an estimated population of over 105 million people, making it one of the most populous nations on the African continent.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: République démocratique du Congo.
- **Location**: Central Africa.
- **Capital**: Kinshasa.
- **Independence Date**: June 30, 1960.
- **Area**: 2,344,858 square kilometres.
- **Population**: 105,789,731 (2023 estimate).
- **Currency**: Congolese franc.
- **Official Language**: French.
- **Government Type**: Republic; designated as a "not-free country" by Freedom in the World.
- **Head of State**: Félix Tshisekedi (since January 24, 2019).
- **Head of Government**: Ilunga Ilunkamba Sylvestre (status quo).
- **Anthem**: Debout Congolais.
- **Motto**: Justice – Paix – Travail (Justice – Peace – Work).
- **Timezones**: UTC+01:00 (West) and UTC+02:00 (East).
- **International Calling Code**: +243.
- **Internet TLD**: .cd.
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: CD, Alpha-3: COD, Numeric: 180.
- **Driving Side**: Right.
- **Voltage**: 220V at 50Hz.

## FAQs
**What is the demographic profile of the DRC?**
As of the 2023 estimate, the population is 105,789,731. The birth rate in 2022 was 41.737 per 1,000 people, while the death rate was 9.352 per 1,000 people. The life expectancy at birth was recorded as 59.621 years in 2016. The population is composed of numerous ethnic groups, including the Mongo, Luba, Kongo, Mangbetu, and Zande peoples.

**What international organizations is the DRC a member of?**
The DRC is a member of the United Nations (since September 20, 1960), the African Union, the World Trade Organization, and UNESCO (since November 25, 1960). It is also a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund related agencies, and the Southern African Development Community.

**What are the economic and development indicators?**
The Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.479 in 2021, while the Inequality-adjusted HDI was 0.341 the same year. The nominal GDP was approximately $58.065 billion in 2022. The Gini coefficient, measuring income inequality, stood at 42.1 in 2012. The VAT rate is 16%.

**What administrative divisions does the country have?**
The country is divided into 26 provinces, including Kinshasa (the capital city), Kongo Central, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Haut-Katanga. A decentralization process in 2015 increased the number of provinces from 11 to the current 26.

**What are the country's national symbols?**
The national flag is the Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The coat of arms features a spear and is titled "Arms of the Democratic Republic of the Congo." The national animal symbol is the Okapi (*Okapia johnstoni*).

## Why It Matters
The Democratic Republic of the Congo matters significantly due to its vast geographical size and immense natural resource wealth, which includes critical minerals used in global technology. As the second-largest country in Africa by area, it plays a central role in the geopolitical and economic dynamics of the continent. Its history, marked by colonization and subsequent conflicts such as the Kivu conflict, has had profound humanitarian impacts, drawing continuous international attention and intervention. The nation's extensive river system, the Congo River, is a vital resource for the region, and its rainforest is the second-largest in the world, making the country a key player in global environmental health and climate regulation.

## Notable For
- **Population Size**: One of the most populous countries in Africa with over 105 million residents.
- **Linguistic Diversity**: Home to over 200 languages, including Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba, and Swahili, alongside the official language, French.
- **Geographical Scale**: The 11th largest country in the world by area (2,344,858 km²).
- **Natural Resources**: Rich in minerals like cobalt and copper, essential for modern electronics.
- **Biodiversity**: Contains the Congo Basin, a globally significant rainforest ecosystem.
- **Historical Name Changes**: Formerly known as Zaire (1971–1997) and the Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) before adopting its current name.
- **Humanitarian Context**: Site of complex conflicts, including the Kivu conflict, impacting regional stability.

## Body

### History and Independence
The Democratic Republic of the Congo gained independence on June 30, 1960, originally as the Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville). It was admitted to the United Nations on September 20, 1960. The country underwent a name change to Zaire in 1971, a name it retained until 1997 when it was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The nation has experienced significant political transitions, including the presidency of Joseph Kabila from January 26, 2001, to January 24, 2019, followed by the current President, Félix Tshisekedi.

### Geography and Environment
Located in Central Africa, the DRC spans 2,344,858 square kilometres, with 3.3% of its area covered by water. It is situated in the Rio de la Plata basin (contextual note: this appears to be a data discrepancy in source, geographically located in the Congo Basin) and is named after the Congo River. The country's coordinates are latitude -2.88 and longitude 23.656. The highest point is Mount Stanley, while the lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean at sea level. The country shares borders with nine nations: the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo. It also borders Cameroon.

### Government and Politics
The DRC operates as a republic with a presidential system. The executive body is the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the legislative body is the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court of Justice. The country's democracy index was 1.13 in 2020, and it is classified as a "not-free country" by Freedom House. The BTI Governance Index score was 2.65 in 2022.

### Demographics and Society
The population has grown from 15.2 million in 1960 to over 105 million in 2023. The population is predominantly rural, with 52.6 million people living in rural areas compared to 46.3 million in urban areas as of 2022. The male population in 2022 was approximately 49.1 million, and the female population was approximately 49.9 million. The total fertility rate in 2014 was 6.006 children per woman. The suicide rate is relatively low, recorded at 5.7 per 100,000 people in 2016. The marriageable age is 18 for males and 15 for females.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The nominal GDP in 2022 was $58.065 billion USD. The central bank is the Central Bank of Congo. The currency is the Congolese franc. The VAT rate is set at 16%. Infrastructure includes right-hand traffic and an electrical grid operating at 220 volts and 50 Hz, utilizing plug types such as the Europlug, Type E, and British-related types. Emergency numbers include 113 for fire, and 114 or 118 for police.

### International Relations
The DRC maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the United States, China, Russia, Belgium, and Germany (relations established June 30, 1960). It is a participant in the Kivu conflict and is a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area. It joined the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes on May 29, 1970, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on January 3, 2008.

### Administrative Divisions
The country contains 26 administrative territorial entities. Following the 2015 decentralization, new provinces were created, including Kwilu, Kwango, Mai-Ndombe, Tshuapa, Nord-Ubangi, Sud-Ubangi, Mongala, Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, Ituri, Kasai, Kasaï-Central, Kasai-Oriental, Lomami, Sankuru, Haut-Katanga, Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, and Tanganyika. Older provinces such as Bandundu, Équateur, Kasaï-Occidental, Kasaï-Oriental, Katanga, and Orientale were dissolved or reorganized between July 12 and July 19, 2015.

### Culture and Symbols
The national motto is "Justice – Paix – Travail" (Justice – Peace – Work). The national anthem is "Debout Congolais." The coat of arms image is "Coat of arms of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (black spear)." The culture is described as "culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo," and the demonym for its people is "Congolese" (masculine) or "Congolaise" (feminine). The country is studied under "Congolese studies."

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29. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
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34. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=CD)
35. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?end=2015&locations=CD&start=1960)
36. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?end=2014&locations=CD&start=1960)
37. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
38. [International Monetary Fund](https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2018/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=95&pr.y=6&sy=2016&ey=2023&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=636&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=)
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40. [Source](https://data.who.int/countries/180)
41. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
42. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
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46. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
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48. [Source](http://mentalfloss.com/article/29854/6-extremely-rare-national-animals2)
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