Tag Archives: Study in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Former Belgian Congo (and from 1971 to 1997 the Republic of Zaire, name given to it by the dictator Mobutu) the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the major political units in Africa; it is not so much the real territorial breadth that makes it so – only slightly precedes it, Sudan, which is however much less populated – but the enormous mineral wealth, mostly concentrated in the Shaba region, formerly Katanga, on the border with Angola and Zambia: copper, diamonds, cobalt, uranium etc. The country has been the scene of a history of exploitation, as well as a chessboard for the colonial aims of the great European powers. The Belgian Congo was the latest example of “private” colonization, when the king of Belgium became the protagonist of an operation that ensured him dominion over a territory ten times larger than the motherland. Independent since 1960, after Lumumba’s death it went through the ferocious dictatorship of Mobutu. At the beginning of the 21st century, the African giant, one of the richest territories on the planet, thanks to the support of the international community, finally laid the foundations for a possible future of development and stability.

THE STATE
The Democratic Republic of the Congo began a transition to democracy in 2003 after years of dictatorship and civil war. Under the new Constitution of 2005, which replaces the transitional one of 2003, the President of the Republic is elected by universal suffrage. with a 5-year mandate and can be re-elected only once; legislative power is divided between the National Assembly and the Senate. Extensive autonomy is assured to the eastern provinces. The judicial system is based on Belgian law and local customs and is divided into the Supreme Court, based in Kinshasa, in Courts of Appeal and in Courts of First Instance. The death penalty is in effect. The defense of the country is entrusted to the AFDL (Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo Zaire), which replaced the armed forces after the defeat of Mobutu; There are also numerous rebel forces, contingents from neighboring states and a UN force. Elementary education is compulsory and free, starts at 6 years of age and lasts for 6 years. The secondary one lasts from 2 to 4 years depending on the chosen address. Based on 2006 estimates, the percentage of illiterate people is relatively low for a country burdened by years of guerrilla warfare (32.8%), thanks also to the contribution of religious schools run by missionaries. Higher education takes place in numerous universities spread across various cities: Kinshasa, Bukavu, Kisangani, Goma and Lubumbashi. According to COUNTRYAAH, Democratic Republic of the Congo is a nation in Central Africa, the capital city of which is Kinshasa. The latest population of Democratic Republic of the Congo is 89,561,414. REMZFAMILY: Lists and descriptions of main religions and beliefs in Democratic Republic of the Congo, including religion demographics and statistics on Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc.
CLIMATE
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is largely included within the isoieta of 1200 mm: the maximum rainfall is recorded in the center of the depression with values ​​higher than 2000 mm per year. In the center of the country there is therefore an equatorial climate, while the rest of the territory is affected by a subequatorial climate. In fact, in the northern regions there is a short dry season in December-February, followed by a great rainy season; to the S, on the other hand, the great rainy season begins in October-November and continues, except for a short interval, until April, while the dry season runs from May to September. In the regions closest to the equator, the rainy periods tend to approach, while the dry periods become increasingly shorter and less clear, up to an almost continuous succession of small and large rains. Temperatures do not register strong variations, neither annual nor daily, except in the other lands (Shaba, lake region), and they remain within average values ​​that are not excessively high: in Kinshasa they vary between 26 ºC and 22 ºC. The degree of relative humidity is always sensitive, on average between 75% and 80% in the internal regions of the depression.

Living in Kinshasa and the DR Congo

Map of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Packing list – or what you should take with you in large quantities from Germany Malaria prophylaxis Medicines (be careful – there are a lot of counterfeit medicines on the Congolese market) Bug spray Shampoo and other hygiene items cosmetics Sunscreen, good sunglasses High quality mosquito protection (mosquito tent, mosquito net) Youth hostel sleeping bag… Read More »

Travelling to Democratic Republic of the Congo

500 francs Congolais note

Travel, transportation and traffic International airlines currently flying to Kinshasa: Brussels Airways South African Airways Ethiopian Airways Kenya Airways Air France Travel within the country is only possible to a very limited extent. Chaotic conditions prevail in traffic and communication. Overall, the road network is below average. The government speaks of 2,800 km of tar… Read More »

Economic Sectors in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy

The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is growing only slowly. The value added tax introduced in 2012 and a restrictive monetary policy by the central bank offer good conditions for economic growth, but corruption and one-sided dependence on the extraction of raw materials have a destabilizing effect. Telecommunications have developed particularly quickly… Read More »

Elections 2018 of Democratic Republic of the Congo

New President of DR Congo Etienne TshisekediBy Foreign and Commonwealth Office

New President of DR Congo Etienne TshisekediBy Foreign and Commonwealth Office Political actors in the presidential and parliamentary elections Emmanuel Ramazani Shardary On August 8, 2018, government spokesman Lambert Mende announced that Joseph Kabila would not run for the December 2018 presidential election. Instead, Emmanuel Ramazani Shardary, general secretary of Kabila’s party, the PPRD, was… Read More »

Human Rights in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Street scene in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Human rights are regularly violated by the military, belligerent groups, police and secret services. The prisons are overcrowded and the conditions are often unimaginable. Many prisoners wait months, sometimes years, for an examination of the procedure or for a judicial decision. National and international human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International… Read More »

Ecological Problems of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Workers in a coltan and wolframite mine - Walungu region in Eastern Congo

Forest clearance in the DR Congo Strongly fluctuating annual precipitation, floods, torrential rain and incalculable dry periods as a result of climate change mean that farmers adapt their agricultural calendar to the rainy and dry seasons. In addition, the DR Congo is confronted with the following ecological challenges: risk of biodiversity loss, extinction of species,… Read More »

The Congo Wars

The Congo Wars

After Mobutu was overthrown on May 16, 1997, the country of Zaire was renamed “Democratic Republic of the Congo”. It then fell into two more devastating wars. The Third Congo War is also known as the African World War. First Congo War 1996 to 1997 Mobutu is overthrown by the rebel coalition AFDL (L’Alliance des… Read More »

TOEFL Test Centers in Democratic Republic of the Congo

TOEFL Test Centers in Congo-DRC

The revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test is offered in this location. The list below shows testing regions, fees and dates as of February 15, 2019, but availability may change when you register. Fees are shown in US$ and are subject to change without notice. To find the most up-to-date list of available test centers and dates when registration is open, click… Read More »