Democratic Republic of Congo
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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 |