Democratic Republic of the Congo Guide

January 31, 2021 findjobdescriptions

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: