Changes

|capital=Kinshasa

|capital=Kinshasa

|government=Semi-Presidential Republic

|government=Semi-Presidential Republic

|language=French

|language=French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba

|monarch=

|monarch=

|president=Joseph Kabila

|president=Joseph Kabila

|pm=Antoine Gizenga

|pm=Antoine Gizenga

|area=2,344,858 km²

|area=2,344,858 km²

|pop=63,655,000

|pop=71,713,000

|pop-basis=2007 estimate

|pop-basis=2011 estimate

|gdp-year=$46.491 billion

|gdp-year=$13.1 billion

|gdp-pc=$774

|gdp-pc=$189

|currency=Franc Congolais (CDF)

|currency=Franc Congolais (CDF)

|idd=+243

|idd=+243

==People==

==People==

[[File:Congo people.jpg|thumb|left|240px|At Luvungi, Sud-Kivu Province.]]

[[File:Congo people.jpg|thumb|left|240px|At Luvungi, Sud-Kivu Province.]]

The population of D.R.C. was estimated at 58 million in 2004. As many as 250 ethnic groups have been distinguished and named. Some of the larger groupings of tribes are the [[Kongo]], [[Luba]], and [[Anamongo]]. Although 700 local languages and dialects are spoken, the linguistic variety is bridged both by the use of French and the intermediary languages Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili, and Lingala.  

The population of D.R.C. was estimated at 17.7 million in 2011. As many as 250 ethnic groups have been distinguished and named. Some of the larger groupings of tribes are the [[Kongo]], [[Luba]], and [[Anamongo]]. Although 700 local languages and dialects are spoken, the linguistic variety is bridged both by the use of French and the intermediary languages Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili, and Lingala.  

About 50% of the Congolese population is Christian, predominantly Roman Catholic. Most of the non-Christians adhere to either traditional religions or syncretic sects. Traditional religions include concepts such as monotheism, animism, vitalism, spirit and ancestor worship, witchcraft, and sorcery and vary widely among ethnic groups; none is formalized. The syncretic sects often merge Christianity with traditional beliefs and rituals. The most popular of these sects, Kimbanguism, was seen as a threat to the colonial regime and was banned by the Belgians. Kimbanguism, officially "the church of Christ on Earth by the prophet Simon Kimbangu," now claims about 3 million members, primarily among the Bakongo tribe of Bas-Congo and Kinshasa. In 1969, it was the first independent African church admitted to the [[World Council of Churches]].  

About 50% of the Congolese population is Christian, predominantly Roman Catholic. Most of the non-Christians adhere to either traditional religions or syncretic sects. Traditional religions include concepts such as monotheism, animism, vitalism, spirit and ancestor worship, witchcraft, and sorcery and vary widely among ethnic groups; none is formalized. The syncretic sects often merge Christianity with traditional beliefs and rituals. The most popular of these sects, Kimbanguism, was seen as a threat to the colonial regime and was banned by the Belgians. Kimbanguism, officially "the church of Christ on Earth by the prophet Simon Kimbangu," now claims about 3 million members, primarily among the Bakongo tribe of Bas-Congo and Kinshasa. In 1969, it was the first independent African church admitted to the [[World Council of Churches]].  

Before independence, education was largely in the hands of religious groups. The primary school system was well developed at independence; however, the secondary school system was limited, and higher education was almost nonexistent in most regions of the country. The principal objective of this system was to train low-level administrators and clerks. Since independence, efforts have been made to increase access to education, and secondary and higher education have been made available to many more Congolese. According to estimates made in 2000, 41.7% of the population has no schooling, 42.2% has primary schooling, 15.4% has secondary schooling, and 0.7% has university schooling. At all levels of education, males greatly outnumber females. The largest state-run universities are the [[University of Kinshasa]], the University of Lubumbashi, and the University of Kisangani. The elite continue to send their children abroad to be educated, primarily in Western Europe.

Before independence, education was largely in the hands of religious groups. The primary school system was well developed at independence; however, the secondary school system was limited, and higher education was almost nonexistent in most regions of the country. The principal objective of this system was to train low-level administrators and clerks. Since independence, efforts have been made to increase access to education, and secondary and higher education have been made available to many more Congolese. According to estimates made in 2000, 41.7% of the population has no schooling, 42.2% has primary schooling, 15.4% has secondary schooling, and 0.7% has university schooling. At all levels of education, males greatly outnumber females. The largest state-run universities are the [[University of Kinshasa]], the University of Lubumbashi, and the University of Kisangani. The elite continue to send their children abroad to be educated, primarily in Western Europe.

*Population (2004 est.): 58 million.

*Population (2011 est.): 71.7 million.

*Annual growth rate (2004 est.): 2.99%.  

*Annual growth rate (2008 est.): 3.24%.  

*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 (2004 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 (2004 est.)--65.5% in French or local language. Schooling (2000 est.)--none 41.7%, primary 42.2%, secondary 15.4%, university 0.7%.

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

*Health (2004 est.): Infant mortality rate--94.69/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--49 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==

In June 2000, the United Nations established a Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Congolese Resources to examine links between the war and economic exploitation. Reports issued by the panel indicate that countries involved in the war in Congo have developed significant economic interests. These interests may complicate efforts by the government to better control its natural resources and to reform the mining sector. A final panel report was issued in October 2003. The Panel of Experts mandate was not renewed.  

In June 2000, the United Nations established a Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Congolese Resources to examine links between the war and economic exploitation. Reports issued by the panel indicate that countries involved in the war in Congo have developed significant economic interests. These interests may complicate efforts by the government to better control its natural resources and to reform the mining sector. A final panel report was issued in October 2003. The Panel of Experts mandate was not renewed.  

*GDP (2003): $5.6 billion.

*GDP (2010): $13.1 billion.

*Annual GDP growth rate (2005): 6%.

*Annual GDP growth rate (2010): 6.1%.

*Per capita GDP (2005): $120.

*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).

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

*Trade: Exports (2002)--$1.040 billion. Products--diamonds, cobalt, copper, coffee, petroleum. Partners--E.U., Japan, South Africa, U.S., China. Imports (2002)--$1.216 billion. Products--consumer goods (food, textiles), capital equipment, refined petroleum products. Partners--E.U., 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.

*Total external debt (2002): $8.211 billion. (Currently under revision due to HIPC decision point in 2003.)

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

==History==  

==History==