Democratic republic of Congo Travel guide

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Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic republic of Congo is a beautiful country, with mountains, forests and stunning waterfalls. Travel is difficult though as there is a limited infrastructure and little public trasportation.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo or DRC, is situated in Central Africa and is the third largest country on the continent. It has an Atlanticcoastline of only37km. To the northwest is the Republic of Congo, to the north the Central African Republic, to the north east the Sudna, to the east, (from north to south) Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, tot he south east Zambia, and to the south west Angola.

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Facts & Figures

Total Area:2,345,410 sq km
Land Borders: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
Population: 62,660,551
Life Expectancy: 51 years
HIV % Total Poulation:4.2%
Ethnic Groups: over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population
Languages:French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
President:Joseph KABILA
GDP - Per Capita: $700

History

Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several subsequent sham elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by an insurrection backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003; Joseph KABILA remains as president and is joined by four vice presidents representing the former government, former rebel groups, and the political opposition. The transitional government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005, and plans to hold a series of elections in 2006 to determine the presidency and National Assembly seats.

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Home Overlands Tours Wildlife Safaris Off The Beaten track By Country Destination Guides About Us Contact Us Enquire/Book
Democratic Republic of Congo The Democratic republic of Congo is a beautiful country, with mountains, forests and stunning waterfalls. Travel is difficult though as there is a limited infrastructure and little public trasportation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo or DRC, is situated in Central Africa and is the third largest country on the continent. It has an Atlanticcoastline of only37km. To the northwest is the Republic of Congo, to the north the Central African Republic, to the north east the Sudna, to the east, (from north to south) Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, tot he south east Zambia, and to the south west Angola.		DRC - Home Travel Information Tours & Safaris Accommodation Places To Visit Getting There & Around
Overland Safaris Cape Town to Kenya Kenya to Cape Town Johannesburg to Kenya Kenya to Johannesburg South to East Overlands East to South Overlands East Africa Masai Mara Safaris Serengeti safaris Zanzibar Tours Gorilla Treks Kenya Tours Tanzania Tours Uganda Tours Ethiopia Tours Eritrea Tours East Africa Overlands Southern Africa Kruger Park Safaris South Africa Tours Namibia Tours Botswana Tours Mozambique Tours Cape Town To Victoria Falls Southern Africa Overlands Game Reserves Kruger Park safaris Etosha Safaris Okavango delta Tours Masai Mara safaris Serengeti Safaris Gorilla Treks East Africa safaris Southern Africa Safaris Off The Beaten Track Angola Tours Comoros Tours Congo Tours Eritrea Tours Ethiopia Tours Gabon Tours Sao Tome & Principe Sierra Leone tours Sudan Tours Uganda Tours EditRegion6	View Larger Map Facts & Figures Total Area:2,345,410 sq km Land Borders: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia Population: 62,660,551 Life Expectancy: 51 years HIV % Total Poulation:4.2% Ethnic Groups: over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Languages:French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba President:Joseph KABILA GDP - Per Capita: $700 History Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several subsequent sham elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by an insurrection backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003; Joseph KABILA remains as president and is joined by four vice presidents representing the former government, former rebel groups, and the political opposition. The transitional government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005, and plans to hold a series of elections in 2006 to determine the presidency and National Assembly seats.
	EditRegion8
Overland Safaris / Cape Town to Kenya / Kenya to Cape Town / Johannesburg to Kenya / Kenya to Johannesburg / South to East Overlands / East to South Overlands East Africa / Masai Mara Safaris / Serengeti safaris / Zanzibar Tours / Gorilla Treks / Kenya Tours / Tanzania Tours / Uganda Tours / / Ethiopia Tours / Eritrea Tours East Africa Overlands / Southern Africa / Kruger Park Safaris / South Africa Tours / Namibia Tours / Botswana Tours / Mozambique Tours / Cape Town To Victoria Falls Southern Africa Overlands / Game Reserves / Kruger Park safaris / Etosha Safaris / Okavango Delta Tours / Masai Mara safaris / Serengeti Safaris / Gorilla Treks East Africa safaris / Southern Africa Safaris / Off The Beaten Track / Angola Tours / Comoros Tours / Congo Tours / Eritrea Tours / Ethiopia Tours / Gabon Tours / Sao Tome & Principe / Sierra Leone tours / Sudan Tours / Uganda Tours /