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Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Physical features of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mount Nyiragongo Congo River basin and drainage network Congo River: fishing Lombi tree Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ethnic composition
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Democratic Republic of the Congo summary
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Democratic Republic of the Congo: Facts & Stats

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News •

Death toll from a boat capsizing in Congo earlier this week rises to 148, officials say • Apr. 18, 2025, 4:58 PM ET (AP)
The death toll from a boat crash in Congo earlier this week rose to 148 with 100 still missing, investigators say • Apr. 18, 2025, 4:04 PM ET (AP)
A boat catches fire in Congo and capsizes, leaving at least 50 people dead, a local official says • Apr. 16, 2025, 1:49 PM ET (AP)
At least 50 people killed in east Congo as government and Rwanda-backed rebels trade blame • Apr. 13, 2025, 3:04 PM ET (AP)
'The Herds' begins its journey from central Africa to the Arctic Circle • Apr. 11, 2025, 4:51 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As République du Congo • Congo-Kinshasa • République Démocratique du Congo • Republic of the Congo • DRC
Head Of Government Prime Minister: Judith Suminwa Tuluka
Capital Kinshasa
Population (2025 est.) 109,076,000
Head Of State President: Félix Tshisekedi
Form Of Government unitary multiparty republic with two legislative houses (Senate [108]; National Assembly [500])
Official Language French1
Official Religion none
Official Name République Democratique du Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Total Area (Sq Km) 2,345,000
Total Area (Sq Mi) 905,405
Monetary Unit Congo franc (FC)
Population Rank (2025) 14
Population Projection 2030 138,749,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2025) 120.5
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2025) 46.5
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 48.1% • Rural: (2024) 51.9%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2022) 60 years • Female: (2022) 63.7 years
Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate Male: (2022) 90% • Female: (2022) 72%
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2023) 67,082
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2023) 630
1National languages are Kongo, Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba.

Photos

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Physical features of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mount Nyiragongo
Congo River basin and drainage network
Congo River: fishing
Lombi tree
Ituri Forest: Efe people
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
National anthem of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
See All Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic
Patrice Lumumba
Patrice Lumumba
Congolese politician
Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko
president of Zaire
Joseph Kabila
Joseph Kabila
president of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Moise Tshombe
African politician
Laurent Kabila
president of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kasavubu
Joseph Kasavubu
president of Congo
Étienne Tshisekedi
prime minister of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Hermann von Wissmann
German explorer

Related Places

A map of the continent of Africa, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities. It also shows parts of Europe and Asia and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
Africa
continent
Central Africa
Central Africa
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa
national capital, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Lubumbashi
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
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