Congo, Democratic Republic of


Once the Belgian Congo and formerly Zaire; a republic in central Africa, bordered by Central African Republic and Sudan to the north, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania to the east, Zambia to the south, and Angola and the Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Kinshasa.

notes for Congo, Democratic Republic of

It achieved independence from Belgium in 1960.

notes for Congo, Democratic Republic of

It was long ruled by a dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997.