In Africa, there are two states, the full title of which appears the name of the river Congo.Their full name: Republic of the Congo (capital Brazzaville), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa).The article focuses on the second state, which is abbreviated as DRC.
With unlimited resources as water, forests, minerals, it has an underdeveloped economy and refers to the highly unstable states of the world.
Basic data:
- Area - 2 million. 345 thousand sq. Km.
- Population - 75,507,000 people (2013).
- official language - French, and another four have the status of national language (Chiluba, huahili, Kikongo, Lingala).
- Government - semi-presidential system.
- Currency - Congolese franc, which is equal to 100 centimes.
country's history
name of the state connected with the empire that existed in the late 14th - early 19th century.It has created a nation that still exists - "Bakongo", which means "people of the Congo", that is "people-hunters."
Not long ago, the DRC was called Zaire, which means "river".This is due to the large river systems in Africa, the Congo.
most ancient tribes here were pygmies.Then came the Bakongo, who brought agriculture.By the 15th century on land were the Portuguese, and the beginning of the slave trade.Congolese slaves were used on the plantations of America.For a long time it was the main income of the Congo.
In the late 19th century, the country settled the Belgians, who in 1908 made a colony of the Congo.The country gained independence in 1960.It was connected with the activities of Patrice Lumumba.
From 1960 to 1971 the state called the Republic of the Congo, from 1971 to 1997 - Zaire, from 1997 to the present time - the DRC.
Geographical location Located in the center of the state of the continent, it crosses the equator.There is a small outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.The coastline is 37 km.
country is rich in water resources management in the form of rivers, lakes and marshes.Its main asset is the natural energy of the rivers.It is located in the zone of the following climatic zones: equatorial, subequatorial.African Rift limits the territory of the DRC on the east side.
Minerals
country is rich in many minerals.This primarily copper, cobalt, iron ore, gold, silver, diamonds, oil, tin, manganese, zinc and uranium.Particular attention is now paid to large reserves of columbite-tantalite.
in processed form tantalite is the main component of the capacitors.They, in turn, are an indispensable part of most modern devices.
capacitors tantalite used for:
- mobile phones;
- computer processors;
- jet engines;
- night vision equipment;
- audio and video equipment.
With the development of mobile technologies in the country started tantalitovaya fever.Prior to that, the largest mines are in Australia, Brazil and Canada.Finding of significant reserves of tantalite has meant that over the territory of Rwanda and Uganda are fighting.Since the proceeds from its sale than from diamonds, military and political clashes between the three countries do not stop.
tantalite mining is not stopped.His illegally transported to Europe, sell on the black market, and after processing are used in modern devices.
Fauna
Due to the vast territory, the large number of rivers and lakes, with a large area of forests, Democratic Republic of Congo boasts a significant variety of fauna.
| Fauna | |
| Animals | elephant, lion, chimpanzee, giraffe, zebra, aardwolf, hippopotamus |
| Reptiles | crocodile, snake mamba |
| Birds | flamingo, parrot, Sunbird, pelican, heron, lapwing |
| Insects | tsetse fly, the anopheles mosquito and many other |
population
Republic of Congo is the largest country in Africa in terms of population.It is constantly growing due to high birth rates.The average life expectancy does not exceed 55 years.
State holds a variety of nationalities.According to some estimates there live peoples and ethnic groups more than 200. They speak 700 dialects.
By religion, about 70% of the population are Christians who are divided into Catholics and Protestants.Equally important are the traditional African beliefs, as well as Islam.
home to most of the population in the river valleys, lakes, and near the capital.Kinshasa has a huge size and occupies an important place in the economic life of the entire country.
Economic activities
economic development of the country and was even better than on the threshold of the 21st century, however, remains low.Most of the population is engaged in agriculture and mining.
Grow a large number of crops that are exported.Among them, banana, palm, corn, coffee, cocoa, rice, rubber.
Almost all manufacturing is concentrated in Kinshasa.Therefore, great importance is the capital.Democratic Republic of Congo does not produce finished products, limited to raw materials, which sells to Europe and America.
Political structure
Today, the People's Republic of the Congo has a presidential system of government stable.Since 2006 there is a new constitution, which has maintained a bicameral system of parliament.At that time, the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the flag is updated, received a mixed form of government.
President shares executive power with a prime minister.The regions have expanded their powers with the ability to elect governors as heads of regional governments.
Since 2007, the current president is Joseph Kabila.His party won the election the largest number of seats in Parliament.
relationship with the Russian Federation
diplomatic ties between the two countries have existed since 1960.Then they called the Republic of the Congo and the USSR.In 1992, the then Zaire in the Russian Federation recognized the successor of the USSR.Among states at different times made the following agreement:
- About Air Transport (1974).
- on Trade (1976).
- on economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation (1976).
- About Maritime (1976).
- on Cultural Cooperation (1983).
Today, the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the embassy is located in Moscow, maintains official relations with the Russian Federation.Agreements have been reached on many issues.Russian companies have opened subsidiaries in the DRC.
Address Embassy in Moscow, Leninsky Prospect, 148, office 25-26.
addition, there is the DRC Consulate in Yekaterinburg.It is located on Gogol Street, Building 15.
