Changes

*Ethnic groups: More than 200 African ethnic groups; the Luba, Kongo, and Anamongo are some of the larger groupings of tribes.

*Ethnic groups: More than 200 African ethnic groups; the Luba, Kongo, and Anamongo are some of the larger groupings of tribes.

*Religions (2011 est.): Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%.  

*Religions (2011 est.): Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%.  

*Language: Official--French. National languages--Lingala, [[Swahili]], Kikongo, Tshiluba.  

*Language: Official—French. National languages—Lingala, [[Swahili]], Kikongo, Tshiluba.  

*Education: Literacy (2008 est.)--French or local language: 55% (women), 76% (men). Schooling (2007 est.)--none 21%, primary 46%, secondary 30%, university 3%.

*Education: Literacy (2008 est.)--French or local language: 55% (women), 76% (men). Schooling (2007 est.)--none 21%, primary 46%, secondary 30%, university 3%.

*Health (2007 est.): Infant mortality rate--92/1,000 live births. Life expectancy (2008 est.)--51.3 yrs.

*Health (2007 est.): Infant mortality rate—92/1,000 live births. Life expectancy (2008 est.)--51.3 yrs.

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

The D.R.C. legislature held its first session on September 22, 2006. On February 26, 2007, Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga and the new Congolese cabinet formally took office. In May 2007, Kengo wa Dongo was elected Senate President.  

The D.R.C. legislature held its first session on September 22, 2006. On February 26, 2007, Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga and the new Congolese cabinet formally took office. In May 2007, Kengo wa Dongo was elected Senate President.  

On December 7th, 2011, Joseph Kabila, the former president announced the results from the November 28 presidential elections. According to those figures, he won 49% of the votes cast versus Etienne Tshisekedi’s 32%.

On December 7, 2011, Joseph Kabila, the former president announced the results from the November 28 presidential elections. According to those figures, he won 49% of the votes cast versus Etienne Tshisekedi’s 32%.

The CEI  reported several irregularities, including voters participation of 100,14 % in the Monono region.

The CEI  reported several irregularities, including voters participation of 100,14 % in the Monono region.

===Principal Government Official===

===Principal Government Official===

*President--Joseph Kabila  

*President—Joseph Kabila  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

*Per capita GDP (2010): $189.

*Per capita GDP (2010): $189.

*Natural resources: Copper, cobalt, diamonds, gold, other minerals; petroleum; wood; hydroelectric potential.

*Natural resources: Copper, cobalt, diamonds, gold, other minerals; petroleum; wood; hydroelectric potential.

*Agriculture: Cash crops--coffee, rubber, palm oil, cotton, cocoa, sugar, tea. Food crops--manioc, corn, legumes, plantains, peanuts.

*Agriculture: Cash crops—coffee, rubber, palm oil, cotton, cocoa, sugar, tea. Food crops—manioc, corn, legumes, plantains, peanuts.

*Land use: Agriculture 3%; pasture 7%; forest/woodland 77%; other 13%.

*Land use: Agriculture 3%; pasture 7%; forest/woodland 77%; other 13%.

*Industry: Types--processed and unprocessed minerals; consumer products, including textiles, plastics, footwear, cigarettes, metal products; processed foods and beverages, cement, timber.

*Industry: Types—processed and unprocessed minerals; consumer products, including textiles, plastics, footwear, cigarettes, metal products; processed foods and beverages, cement, timber.

*Currency: Congolese franc (FC). The U.S. dollar is also used as legal tender.

*Currency: Congolese franc (FC). The U.S. dollar is also used as legal tender.

*Trade: Exports (2010)--$7.5 billion. Products--diamonds, gold, cobalt, copper, coffee, petroleum, wood. Main partners--EU, Japan, South Africa, U.S., China. Imports (2010)--$7.0 billion. Products--consumer goods (food, textiles), capital equipment, refined petroleum products. Partners--EU, China, South Africa, U.S.

*Trade: Exports (2010)--$7.5 billion. Products—diamonds, gold, cobalt, copper, coffee, petroleum, wood. Main partners—EU, Japan, South Africa, U.S., China. Imports (2010)--$7.0 billion. Products—consumer goods (food, textiles), capital equipment, refined petroleum products. Partners—EU, China, South Africa, U.S.

*Official debt (2010 est.): $3.9 billion.

*Official debt (2010 est.): $3.9 billion.