Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms

Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history. From 2000 BC to AD 500, waves of Bantu migrations moved into what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Although the term "Congo" usually encompasses neighboring Congo-Brazzaville as well) from the northwest, adding to and displacing the indigenous Pygmy populations into the southern regions of the modern DRC state. Subsequent migrations from the Darfur and Kordofan regions of Sudan into the northeast, as well as East Africans migrating into the eas ...

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Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - History

The earliest inhabitants of the area were Pygmy peoples. They were largely replaced and absorbed by Bantu tribes during Bantu migrations. Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history. Main article: Early Congolese History From 2000 BC to AD 500, waves of Bantu migrations moved into what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Although the term "Congo" usually encompasses neighboring Congo-Brazzaville as well) from the northwest, adding to and displacing the indig ...

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Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - History

From the day King Leopold II established colonial authority in what is now Congo-Kinshasa to today, the country's government has been unstable. This is reflected in its seven name changes since 1885: (1) Congo Free State (1885–1908), (2) Belgian Congo (1908–60 [this, incidentally, was the longest period of tranquility the country has experienced]), (3) Republic of The Congo-Leopoldville (1960–64), (4) Democratic Republic of The Congo-Leopoldville (1964–66), (5) ...

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Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics

There is an estimated total of 242 languages spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Out of these, only 4 have the status of national languages: Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba and Swahili. Lingala was made the official language of the army under Mobutu, but since the rebellions the army also uses Swahili in the West. French is the official language of the country. It is meant to be an ethnically neutral language, to ease communication between all the different ethnic groups of the Congo. When the country was a Belgia ...

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Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages

The rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo contain great biodiversity, including many rare and endemic species, including both species of chimpanzee: the Common chimpanzee and the bonobo (also known as the Pygmy Chimpanzee), mountain gorilla, okapi and white rhino. Five of the country's national parks are listed as World Heritage Sites: the Garumba, Kahuzi-Biega, Salonga and Virunga National Parks, and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. The civil war and resultant poor economic conditions have endangered much of this biodiversity. Many park wardens were either killed or could not afford to continue their wo ...

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Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna

The population was estimated at 56.6 million in 2003, growing quickly from 46.7 million in 1997. As many as 250 ethnic groups have been distinguished and named. The most numerous people are the Kongo, Luba, and Mongo. Although 700 local languages and dialects are spoken, the linguistic variety is bridged both by the use of French and the intermediary languages Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili, and Lingala. About 80% of the Congolese population are Christian, predominantly Roman Catholic. Most of the non-Christians adhere to either tradition ...

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Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics

From the day King Leopold II established colonial authority in what is now Congo-Kinshasa to today, the country's government has been unstable. This is reflected in its seven name changes since 1885: (1) Congo Free State (1885–1908), (2) Belgian Congo (1908–60 [this, incidentally, was the longest period of tranquility the country has experienced]), (3) Republic of The Congo-Leopoldville (1960–64), (4) Democratic Republic of The Congo-Leopoldville (1964–66), (5) Democratic Republic of The Congo-Kinshasa (1966-71), (6) Republic of Zaire (1971–97), an ...

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Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics

Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces. The Congo is divided into ten provinces, and one independent city (Kinshasa). Bandundu Bas-Congo Equateur Kasai-Occidental Kasai-Oriental Katanga (During the Mobutu years, it was called the Shaba Province) Kinshasa Maniema Nord-Kivu Orientale (Congo) (Formerly Haut-Zaire) Sud-Kivu Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities. See also:

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions

The Congo is situated at the heart of the west-central portion of sub-Saharan Africa and is bounded by (Clockwise from the west) Angola, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, the Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania across Lake Tanganyika, and Zambia. Its territory also straddles the Equator, with one-third to the north and two-thirds to the south. As a result of its equatorial location, the Congo experiences extremely high amounts of rainfall. The average rainfall for the entire country is about 1,070 millimeters ( ...

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Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography

There is an estimated total of 242 languages spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Out of these, only 4 have the status of national languages: Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba and Swahili. Lingala was made the official language of the army under Mobutu, but since the rebellions the army also uses Swahili in the West. French is the official language of the country. It is meant to be an ethnically neutral language, to ease commu ...

See also:

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo - History, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Congolese pre-history, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Medieval kingdoms, Democratic Republic of the Congo - European exploration and administration 1870–1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political Crises 1960-1965, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire 1965–1996, Democratic Republic of the Congo - War 1996–present, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Politics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Political divisions, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Major cities, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Geography, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Economy, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Demographics, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flora and fauna, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Languages