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The '''Democratic Republic of the Congo''' (D.R.C.) is a country in central Africa and the third largest on the continent.  Formerly known as the Belgian Congo and Zaire, the country was founded around the greater part of the Congo River basin, which covers an area of almost 1 million square kilometers (400,000 sq. mi.).

The '''Democratic Republic of the Congo''' ('''D.R.C.''') is a country in central Africa and the third largest on the continent.  Formerly known as the '''Belgian Congo''' and '''Zaire''', and often called '''Congo,''' it covers most of the [[Congo River]] basin, with an area of almost 1 million square kilometers (400,000 sq. mi.).

==Geography==

==Geography==

The vast, low-lying central area is a basin-shaped plateau sloping toward the west and covered by tropical rainforest. This area is surrounded by mountainous terraces in the west, plateaus merging into savannas in the south and southwest, and dense grasslands extending beyond the Congo River in the north. High mountains are found in the extreme eastern region.  

The vast, low-lying central area is a basin-shaped plateau sloping toward the west and covered by tropical rainforest. This area is surrounded by mountainous terraces in the west, plateaus merging into savannas in the south and southwest, and dense grasslands extending beyond the Congo River in the north. High mountains are found in the extreme eastern region.  

D.R.C. lies on the [[Equator]], with one-third of the country to the north and two-thirds to the south. The climate is hot and humid in the river basin and cool and dry in the southern highlands. South of the Equator, the rainy season lasts from October to May and north of the Equator, from April to November. Along the Equator, rainfall is fairly regular throughout the year. During the wet season, thunderstorms often are violent but seldom last more than a few hours. The average rainfall for the entire country is about 107 centimeters (42 in.).  

D.R.C. lies on the Equator, with one-third of the country to the north and two-thirds to the south. The climate is hot and humid in the river basin and cool and dry in the southern highlands. South of the Equator, the rainy season lasts from October to May and north of the Equator, from April to November. Along the Equator, rainfall is fairly regular throughout the year. During the wet season, thunderstorms often are violent but seldom last more than a few hours. The average rainfall for the entire country is about 107 centimeters (42 in.).  

==People==

==People==