Zaïre, Republic of
Officially Republic of Zaïre,
formerly Republic of the Congo (1960-65) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (1965-71), republic (1994 est. pop. 42,684,000), c.905,000
sq mi (2,344,000 sq km), central Africa, bordered by Angola (SW), Congo (W), the Central African Republic and Sudan (N), Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania (E), and Zambia (SE). Principal cities include KINSHASA (the capital), KANANGA, and LUBUMBASHI.
Virtually all of Zaïre, which lies astride the equator, is part of the vast CONGO (Zaïre)R.
drainage basin. North central Zaïre is a large
plateau covered with rain forest. To the east, on
the Uganda border, are the Ruwenzori Mts.,
which rise to over 16,000 ft (4,880 m), and lakes
Albert, Edward, and Tanganyika.
Savanna-covered plateaus in the southeast rise to
c.6,800 ft (2,070 m). Zaïre's mineral wealth
is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for about
75% of export earnings. Most important are
copper, diamonds (the world's leading producer),
cobalt (65% of world reserves), zinc, manganese,
and uranium; offshore petroleum production
began in 1975. The principal food crops are
cassava, yams, maize, rice, groundnuts, plantains,
and pulses. The leading farm exports are palm
products, coffee, and rubber; large amounts of
timber (notably ebony and teak) are also
produced. Manufactures include processed
metals, foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, iron and
steel, cement, and chemicals. Nonetheless, Zaïre has
failed to harness the full potential of its vast
natural resources. It experienced a severe decline in per
capita income after 1973 and near total economic
collapse, brought on by corruption and a
governmental crisis, in the early 1990s. The
population is made up of some 200 ethnic groups,
the majority of which speak a Bantu language;
there are also Nilotic speakers in the north, and
scattered groups of PYGMIES. French is the
official language, but Swahili and Lingala are
widely spoken. About 50% of the people are
Catholic, 20% Protestant, and 10% Muslim, but
many also adhere to traditional beliefs. |
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