Democratic Republic of the Congo
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Sometimes abbreviated as DRC and D.R. Congo.
- Also referred to as Congo-Kinshasa to distinguish it from its northwestern neighbour
- Capital » Kinshasa
- Also largest city in the DRC
- Current Date & Time
- Weather
Not to be confused with the neighbouring Republic of the Congo
Facts
- Population » 81.5 million people
- Kinshasa had a population of about 15 million people in 2021
- Major languages » French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
- Major religions » Christianity, Islam
- Life expectancy » 58 years (men), 61 years (women)
- Currency » Congolese franc (CDF)
Geography
- Area » 2.34 million sq km (905,354 sq miles)
- Second largest country in Africa
Map of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Source » France, 2021)
Maps
Travel
UNESCO Heritage Site
- Virunga National Park
- Africa’s oldest National Park
- The park has incredible variety of landscape, an exceptional collection of biodiversity, including critically endangered mountain gorillas.
- Mount Nyiragongo (3,470m) is an active stratovolcano located inside Virunga National Park, about 12 km north of the town of Goma and Lake Kivu and just west of the border with Rwanda.
Health
- A yellow fever vaccination card is mandatory.
- The 2018 outbreak of the Ebola virus has been called the worst in the country’s history.
Notes
- A vast country with immense resources and, until recently, has been at the centre of conflict and war, with widespread civilian suffering the result.
Safety and Security
- Congo is considered a dangerous destinations for travellers.
- The political and security situation in the DRC remains unpredictable.
- Violent crime including armed robbery and carjacking is a significant issue in the DRC.
- The DRC has experienced armed insurrections for two decades.
- UN Peacekeepers are present.
- Crisis Watch
Government Travel Advice
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This page was pdated April 2, 2023