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.
