Democratic Republic of Congo Facts

Background:

The third largest country in Africa and endowed with vast mineral resources the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is in a post-conflict period following five years of devastating war. The 2003 peace agreement brought a decisive turning point, with the adoption of a transitional constitution and government bodies. The National Assembly was installed in September 2006. Its president, Vital KAMERHE, was chosen in December. Provincial assemblies were constituted in early 2007, and elected governors and national senators in January 2007.

Natural Resources: cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium,coal, hydropower, timber
Area: 2,345,410 sq km
Population: 62,660,551

CAMEC - The DRC's leading copper and cobalt mining company

Capital: Kinshasa
Major languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
Major religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%
Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October)
Currency: Congolese franc (CDF)
Industries: mining (diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair
Exports: Belgium 38.2%, US 17.8%, China 11.7%, France 8%, Finland 7.8%, Chile 4.3% (2005)
Imports: South Africa 17.7%, Belgium 15.3%, France 8.6%, Kenya 7.5%, Zambia 6.6%, Germany 4.4%, US 4.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.1% (2005)
Airports: 234 (2006) 25 with paved runways