Country guide - Congo (Democratic Republic of the)  

 
 

Introduction: The Congo, in west-central Africa, is bordered by the Congo Republic, the Central African Republic, the Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, and the Atlantic Ocean formerly called Zaire.

Official Name: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Area: 2,345,410 sq km (905,563 sq miles)
Population: 56,625,039
Continent: Africa
Density per square mile: 63
Capital City: Kinshasa
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Islam 10%; syncretic and local native tribal beliefs 10%.

Language: French - official language, used for trade and official purposes. Each ethnic group has its own tribal language of which Swahili & Lingala are the most commonly used.
Government: Dictatorship

Currency: Congolese Franc
GDP: $32 billion
GDP Per Head: $590

Natural Resources: Bauxite, coal, cobalt, copper, cadmium, iron ore, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium & radium.
Land Use: Arable Land 3%
Agriculture: Cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, bananas and other fruits, vegetables (root crops), coffee, cocoa & timber.
Industry: Mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages.

Tourism: The British Foreign & Commonwealth office state the following:- 'We advise against all visits outside Kinshasa and the western half of the Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC). Visitors should not enter the DRC from Uganda, and are strongly advised not to visit the north-eastern District of Ituri. Much of eastern and north-eastern DRC is emerging from war and internal conflict'.

Natural Hazards:
Health Risks: Ebola, water-borne diseases, malaria, HIV/AIDS.

Climate: The Congo has a tropical climate characterised by high temperatures with humidity around 80% and little variation throughout the year. The wet season is between April and late October while the dry season is from November to March. Violent winds are common in the wet season. Average annual rainfall varies from 49 to 69 inches while it is heaviest in the north and decreases towards the Atlantic Coast in the south. Average temperature ranges are from 17 to 28 degrees Celsius in July to 23 to 33 degrees Celsius in April.

Time: GMT/UTC +1 hour
National Days: June 30

Visas: Visas are required to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo, which must be obtained before arrival. Rwandan and Ugandan immigration stamps in visitors' passports theoretically should not prohibit admission, but travellers who have them may still experience difficulties on arrival in the DRC.You may be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country.

British Embassy Details

 

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