What is special about the Congo?

Congo is rich in natural resources. It boasts vast deposits of industrial diamonds, cobalt, and copper; one of the largest forest reserves in Africa; and about half of the hydroelectric potential of the continent.

Is Congo rich or poor?

Despite being the second-largest country in Africa, with an approximate area of 2.3 million square kilometres (890,000 sq mi), and being endowed with rich natural resources, the DRC is the second-poorest country in the world. The average annual income is only $785 US dollars.

What was Congo old name?

A constitutional referendum the year before Mobutu’s coup of 1965 resulted in the country’s official name being changed to the “Democratic Republic of the Congo.” In 1971 Mobutu changed the name again, this time to “Republic of Zaire”.

How old is Congo rainforest?

The Congo Basin has been inhabited by humans for more than 50,000 years and it provides food, fresh water and shelter to more than 75 million people.

What do Congo mean?

Etymology: After Kongo, believed to derive from Kongo nkongo (“hunters”). Congonoun. A large river in Africa which flows for about 4,380 km (2,720 miles) to the Atlantic Ocean in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Etymology: After Kongo, believed to derive from Kongo nkongo (“hunters”).

What language do they speak in Congo?

French
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Official languages
While French is the official language and widely used in education and government, there are four national languages: Kituba (Kikongo), Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba.

Is Congo a safe place to live?

Crime rates are high in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with both petty and violent crimes occurring frequently. Foreigners are often targeted, especially in the vicinity of hotels and crowded areas. It’s best to remain vigilant at all times, never go out on the streets alone and avoid travelling at night.

What does the Congo flag look like?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo flag is sky blue with a yellow five-pointed star in the top-left and a red band going from the top-right to the bottom-left. Thin yellow stripes border the red band.

Does the Congo have a jungle?

The DRC is home to 60 percent of the Congo rainforest, the second-largest contiguous tract of tropical forests in the world.

How many black people died in the Congo?

Since the first official census by the Belgian authorities in 1924 put the population at about 10 million, these various approaches suggest a rough estimate of a total of 10 million dead.

Why do we have 2 Congo?

Both countries gained independence in 1960, but they were colonized by different countries. Congo-Brazzaville was colonized by France while Congo-Kinshasa was colonized by Belgium. Congo-Kinshasa and Congo-Brazzaville also use different national currencies.

Is Congo cursed?

About four million people were forcibly embarked at the mouth of the Congo River. The Congo has been utterly cursed by its natural wealth. The Congo is a massive country, the size of Western Europe.

What is the history of the Congo?

The region that is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo was first settled about 80,000 years ago. The Kingdom of Congo remained present in the region between the 14th and the early 19th centuries.

What is the culture in the Republic of Congo?

The culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo reflects the diversity of its hundreds of ethnic groups and their differing ways of life throughout the country from the mouth of the River Congo on the coast, upriver through the rainforest and savanna in its centre, to the more densely populated mountains in the far east.

What is the government of the Republic of Congo?

United Nations Mission. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second institution in the central executive branch of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the first institution being the President, who has the title of head of state.