Name: Democratic Republic of Congo, RDC (ancient Zaire)

Capital: Kinshasa

Surface: 2.345.410 km. It is the third biggest country of the African continent. 

Population: 61.173.695 (2007). Life expectations: 45 years. Deaths of the conflict: 4 ’ 5-5 million (depending on the sources). Displaced persons in the country: 1.400.000 persons. Refugees: 462.000 approx.

Economy: The national income has been reduced because of the war, for this reason its foreign debt has increased, although, the RDC is one of the richest countries in natural resources. The centre and the north are slightly inhabited. Subsistent agriculture characterizes these areas. To the Southeast one finds the big mining wealth of the country: copper, zinc, tin, cobalt and uranium. The local industry develops in the mine area. In Ituri, a small region at the east side of the country, there is the richest field of gold, the Kilo Motu, centre of a significant oil-bearing development. This region- the eastern side of the RDC- has more than a half of the coltan’s world supply. Coltan is used for micro-chips in cell phones and computers, it is priced per ounce and now it is competing with gold prices. The south, covered of savannas, is the most habited region. It produces cotton, peanuts, coffee, sugar-canes, rubber and oily palm.

Religious tradition: High level of religious syncretism. A part of the population is Christian (catholic). There is a Muslim minority and many ethnical groups practise indigenous religions.

Ethnic groups: 250 ethnic registered groups. The most important groups are the Kongo, the Luba and the Mongo.

Language: In the RDC are spoken about 700 indigenous languages. French is the official language.