FACTFILE – The Democratic Republic of Congo

ET staff writer
ET staff writer
31 May, 2010 1 min read

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Factfile

Area: 905,354 sq miles.

Climate: Equatorial.

Population: 68 million.

Infant mortality: 81 per 1000.

Life expectancy: 54 years.

Capital: Kinshasa (8 million).

Peoples: Over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu. The four largest tribes — Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and Mangbtu-Azande (Hamitic) — comprise 45 per cent of the population.

Languages: French (official), Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba.

Economy:The DRC has vast potential wealth in the form of minerals and precious metals, diamonds, petroleum, coal, hydropower and timber; coffee is also an export. However, due to adverse internal and external factors, including conflict, corruption and global recession, the economy is stagnant.

Religions: Roman Catholic 50 per cent; Protestant 20 per cent; Muslim 10 per cent; Kimbanguist [a large African Independent Church] 10 per cent; other sects and indigenous beliefs 10 per cent.

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