Fact 1: The Rich Underground
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is blessed with an abundance of natural resources—it is reported that $24 trillion worth of untapped raw mineral deposits can be found in the nation’s soil, making it one of the richest countries in the world in this regard. These untapped reserves are estimated to contain 70% of the world's coltan, and the third largest deposits of diamonds in the world.
Fact 2: Deep Cultural Diversity
A melting pot of diverse ethnicities, the Democratic Republic of the Congo boasts of over 200 ethnic groups. Out of which, the majority are Bantu-speaking people, including Kongo, Luba, and Mongo. Each ethnic group has its own unique language and customs, adding to the country's rich cultural fabric.
Fact 3: The Largest Francophone Country
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest French-speaking country in the world by area, and the fourth largest by number of French-speakers, after France, Canada, and Haiti. French is the official language, used in governmental and educational institutions across the country.
Fact 4: A Size to Astonish
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa and is almost equivalent to the size of Western Europe. It stands as the 11th largest country in the world, covering an area of about 2.34 million square kilometers.
Fact 5: The Rainforest Reserves
The DRC houses the world's second-largest rainforest, bettered only by the Amazon, and is incredibly vital for the planet's climate and biodiversity. This massive rainforest measures approximately 1.55 million square kilometers and is home to countless species of plants, insects, birds, and mammals.
Fact 6: The Signature OKAPI
One intriguing wildlife species found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the Okapi. This animal, with its uncanny resemblance to zebras (due to its stripes) and giraffes (due to its body shape), is unique to the country's Ituri Forest.
Fact 7: The River That Feeds The Land
The Congo River is the world's ninth-longest river and contains the planet's second-largest rainforest. It plays a vital role as a lifeline enabling transport and communication, acting as the principal avenue of trade and travel for millions of people.
Fact 8: The Virunga National Park
The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to Africa's oldest national park, the Virunga National Park, established in 1925. The park is UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its endangered mountain gorillas.
Fact 9: The Mysterious Lake Kivu
Located between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, Lake Kivu is one of Africa's great lakes. It is unique due to its intense concentrations of methane gas at its bed, making it a ticking ecological time bomb.
Fact 10: The Giant Congo Peacock
A species of peacock that was no known to science until 1936, the Congo or African Peafowl, is native to the Congo basin. The species is listed as vulnerable because of habitat loss and hunting, but it’s indeed an emblem of the Congo’s distinct biodiversity.
Fact 11: The Major Cobalt Producer
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, accounting for more than 60% of the global production. Cobalt is a critical component in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, used in everything from smartphones to electric cars.
Fact 12: Home to Endangered Gorillas
The DRC is home to more than half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, making it incredibly important for the preservation of the species. These amazing creatures can be found in Virunga National Park.
Fact 13: The Land of Volcanos
In the Eastern DRC, you will find the Virunga Mountains, a chain of volcanoes which includes Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira, two of Africa’s most active volcanoes. Mount Nyiragongo stands out for its large lava lake in the summit crater.
Fact 14: Musical Heritage
The DRC is known for its rich musical heritage, with genres like Soukous, Rhumba, and Ndombolo holding sway. The country has produced globally-renowned artists like Franco Luambo and Papa Wemba.
Fact 15: Mosaics of Art
Congolese art holds a significant value in Africa. Traditional Congolese art includes masks, wooden statues, and tapestry. Congolese artists are renowned for their intricate wood carvings and sculptures.
Fact 16: The Unique Wildlife
Aside from the Okapi and peacocks, the Democratic Republic of Congo prides itself in being the habitat of unusual animals like bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees), forest elephants, and white rhinos.
Fact 17: Economic Powerhouse of Africa
Despite its political instability, the DRC has a potential to be an economic powerhouse, due to an abundance of natural resources, vast fertile lands, and a large and young workforce.
Fact 18: Football Fandom
Football is the most popular sport in the DRC. The national team, named the Leopards, has had its glory by winning the African Cup of Nations twice.
Fact 19: Agricultural Abundance
Over three-quarters of the Congolese population are engaged in Agriculture, with the sector accounting for about a quarter of the country's GDP. The Congo’s fertile land cultivates crops like cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, and bananas.
Fact 20: The Heart of Africa
Situated right in the heart of Africa, the DRC is often referred to as "Africa in miniature" due to its representation of the continent's diverse culture, wildlife, geography, and societal structures. The country's flag, particularly the yellow emblem, symbolizes its central position on the African continent.