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Neighbors: The Congo is bordered by nine countries Population: Approximately 60 million inhabitants Ethnic Groups: Over 200 ethnic groups Major Languages: Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili, French Size/Area: 2,345,410 sq km or approximately the size of Western Europe or slightly less than one fourth the size of the United States Income: $100 per year for an individual Congolese Key Natural Resources: Diamonds, Gold, Coltan, Uranium, Copper, Tin, Silver, Cobalt, Niobium, Timber, Hydro Power, Manganese, Petroleum Life Expectancy: 51 years Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, Other 10% Capital: Kinshasa Provinces: Eleven (the new constitution provides for 26 provinces) Colonized: The Congo was Colonized by Belgium (80 times smaller than the Congo) in 1908 after 23 years of personal rule by King Leopold II. King Leopold ruled the Congo as his own private property from 1885 - 1908, a brutal period during which anywhere from 10 million to 15 million slaughtered Congolese were casualties of his quest to enrich himself. Independence: The Congo gained its independence from Belgium on June 30, 1960 and subsequently elected Patrice Emery Lumumba as its first Prime Minister. Leadership: Joseph Kabila was elected President in 2006. He appointed Antoine Gizenga as Prime Minister. The parliament is made up of a National Assembly and a Senate. The National Assembly has 500 members. It is led by Vital Kamerhe. The Senate has108 members and is led by Kengo Wa Dondo. Presidential and legislative elections take place every five years. |
