
Democratic Republic of the Congo Guide
Democratic Republic of the Congo – country information
Country name | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Capital | Kinshasa |
Continent | Africa |
Area | 2,344,860 km2 |
Population | 67,514,000 (2013) |
Foundation of a state | 6/30/1960 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo – Neighboring States
State | Capital | Area | Population |
Angola | Luanda | 1,246,700 km2 | 20,609,294 |
Burundi | Bujumbura | 27,834 km2 | 10,163,000 |
South Sudan | Dzuba | 644,329 km2 | 10,625,176 |
Congo | Brazzaville | 342,000 km2 | 4,448,000 |
Rwanda | Kigali | 26,338 km2 | 10,537,222 |
Central African Republic | Bangui | 622,984 km2 | 4,616,000 |
Tanzania | At home | 945,087 km2 | 44,928,923 |
Uganda | Kampala | 241,038 km2 | 35,357,000 |
Zambia | Lusaka | 752,618 km2 | 14,580,290 |
According to Abbreviationfinder, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) is a state in central Africa. Shared borders with Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola The capital is Kinshasa. The official language is French.
The climate is equatorial.
Resorts and attractions of the Congo
Holidays in poor countries. Traveling to Myanmar (Burma), Iran, Cuba and even the Congo and Somalia can also be very interesting. And besides, most of your funds will be spent on private boarding houses, restaurants and airlines that really need it.
Pointe-Noire is the second largest city in the Republic of the Congo, has a population of 780 thousand people. Being the main seaport of the country, it rightfully bears the name of the “Sea Gate of the Republic of the Congo”. The city is located on a rocky cape between the harbor of the same name and the endless ocean.
Interesting facts
The territory was inhabited in the second millennium BC.
Country data
Location: Central Africa
Time zone (west): CET (during summer time CET – 1)
Time zone (country east): CET + 1 (during summer time CET)
Total area: 2,344,858 km²
Land area: 2,267,048 km²
Water area: 77,810 km²
Length of the state border: 10,481 km
Bordering countries:
Angola: 2,646 km
Burundi: 236 km
Congo: 1,229 km
Rwanda: 221 km
Zambia: 2,332 km
South Sudan: 714 km
Tanzania: 479 km
Uganda: 877 km
Central African Republic: 1,747 km
Coastline: 37 km
Capital: Kinshasa
Provinces: 11
Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu
Telephone code: 00 243 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Pic Marguerit 5,110 m
Population
Population: approx. 77.4 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 2.5% per year
Population density (inh. Per km²): 33
Life expectancy: 55 (male), 58 (female)
Official language: French
Religions:
- 50% Roman Catholic
- 20% Protestants
- 10% Muslim
- 20% other
Climate
The climate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is very warm, with high humidity. It is milder only in higher mountain regions (over 2,000 m).
In the north, the dry season lasts from November to March and in the south from May to October.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Congo Franc (CDF)
Classification: 1 Franc = 1000 Centimes
ATMs: are not available.
International credit cards: Only accepted by individual hotels and airlines.
Regulations: The national currency may not be imported or exported.
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. The export is limited to the equivalent of US $ 10,000.
It is forbidden to change money outside the official exchange offices. However, there are also black markets for foreign exchange.
All exchange receipts should be kept until departure. There are occasional very precise controls.
Credit cards should not be used because of the high risk of abuse.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 g tobacco
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
Anyone in possession of firearms or ammunition of all kinds requires a gun license and an import permit.
The export of works of art is prohibited.
Precious metals mined in the DR Congo can only be exported with a special permit.
Travel advice
Although the capital Kinshasa and the neighboring regions are relatively safe, you are warned against traveling to the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, as well as the Kasai and Lomami provinces!
There are frequent armed clashes between security forces and armed groups.
Behavioral advice
In March 2017, protests, some Bordering countries were violent, broke out in several cities across the country. Travelers are therefore advised to be more vigilant. Large gatherings of people should be avoided in any case.
The standard of medical care is very far behind the European one. The situation is particularly catastrophic in rural regions. There are hardly any doctors who speak English or French.
Since all medical treatments (including medication and emergencies) have to be paid for in cash in advance, we strongly recommend that you take out travel health insurance with repatriation in the event of illness.
Economy
Due to the abundance of raw materials, minerals and farmland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is actually one of the richest countries in Africa.
However, political and military conflicts keep hindering economic development and the establishment of an industry.
A strong inflation rate and extreme corruption in all areas of public life prevent this situation from changing over and over again.
Industries: mining, textiles, cigarettes
Natural resources: diamonds, iron ore, petroleum, gold, cadmium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, silver, hydropower, zinc
Land use:
- Usable land: 3%
- Grain cultivation: 0%
- Pasture area: 7%
- Forests: 77%
- other: 13%
Plants
The regions in the east consist of wide savannahs overgrown with grasses.
Otherwise the rest of the land is covered with dense rainforest.
Animals
One of the country’s attractions is the Virunga National Park.
Antelopes, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, lions, rhinos, hippos and many different species of birds live on an area of over 10,000 km².