Democratic Republic of Congo

Congo, Democratic Republic of

Official name: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Capital city: Kinshasa

Internet country code: .cd

Flag description: Sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner

National anthem: “Debout Congolaise!” (Arise Congolese!)

National motto: Justice - Paix - Travail (Justice, Peace, Work)

Geographical description: Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Total area: 905,063 sq. mi. (2,345,410 sq. km.)

Climate: Tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October)

Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural); adjective: Congolese

Population: 65,751,512 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: More than 200 African ethnic groups; the Bantu family (Mongo, Luba, Kongo) and Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) comprise about 45% of the population

Languages spoken: French (official), Lingala, Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimban­guist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (including indigenous and syncretic faiths) 10%

Legal Holidays:

Christmas Day	Dec 25
Day of the Martyrs for Independence	Jan 4
Heroes' Day	Jan 16; Jan 17
Independence Day	Jun 30
Labor Day	May 1
Liberation Day	May 17
New Year's Day	Jan 1
Parents' Day	Aug 1