Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country located in Central Africa. It is the second-largest country on the continent by land area and the largest in terms of population purely within sub-Saharan Africa. The DRC is bordered by nine countries: Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Republic of the Congo. It features a diverse geography that includes vast rainforests, the Congo River, and plateaus.

The DRC has a rich cultural heritage and is home to numerous ethnic groups and languages. It gained independence from Belgium in 1960 and has experienced significant political turmoil, including dictatorship, civil wars, and ongoing conflicts. The official language is French, and the capital city is Kinshasa.

Economically, the DRC is rich in natural resources, including minerals like cobalt, copper, diamonds, and gold, but it faces challenges such as poverty, corruption, and insufficient infrastructure. The political system is a semi-presidential republic, and its governance has been marked by efforts towards stabilization and democracy, though many obstacles remain.