2. What went on in 1998?
Second Congo War began
“African world war” (nine nations)
Laurent-Desire Kabila president
3. Country Map
Located in Central Africa
Land 2,267,048 sq. km
Water 77,810 sq. km
Coastline 37 sq. km
Northeast Angola
Angola
4. Geography and Climate
Second largest country in Central
Africa
Total 2,344,858 sq. km
Climate: tropical, hot and humid in
equator area
Cool and dry in southern
highlands
Cool and wet in eastern highlands
5. History
Gained independence in 1960 from the Belgian
colony
1965 Col. Joseph Mobutu became president for
32 years
Fighting Rwanda and Burundi in 1994 led to
topple of Mobutu in 1997
Laurent Kabila took power in 1997 and renamed
DRC
6. Flag History
Blue: represents peace and hope
Red: blood from martyrs
Yellow: country’s wealth and prosperity
Star: unity and future
7. Government and
Economics
Republic
Capital: Kinshasa
10 provinces
71, 721, 867 population
Joseph Kabila president
8. Culture
Nationality Congolese
Reflects diversity of many
other ethnic groups
From late 19th century
traditional ways of living
change due to struggle for
independence and First
and Second Congo Wars
Customs and cultures kept
much of their individuality
9. Education
In 2002 65% children Schools in Kinshasa:
received education
American School of
6-year civil war 5.2 million Kinshasa
children do not get
educated Institut de N’Djili
2002 19,000 primary Lycee Sainte Germaine,
schools serving 16,000 N’Djili
8,000 secondary schools
serving 110,000
10. Life in Congo Today
French official
language
Ethnic groups:
majority Bantu
Four largest tribes:
Mongo, Luba,
Kongo, and
Mangbetu-Azande
11. Life in Congo Today
Religions
20%
Roman Catholic
Kimbanguist
10% Muslim
50%
Protestant
10%
