What represents each of us when he hears the word "Congo"? Black people in or maybe, Savannan expanses? Or a full-breeding African river, in which large alligators are found? It turns out that this word has several values. It's time to find out what Congo is.

Meaning of the word

The people living in Central Africa. Another name is "Barkong".

The language of the people belonging to the Language group of the Bow. Another name is "Kiringo".

River B is the largest on this mainland, and on the water content and the pool area - the second river of the world.

Wpadina in the Congo River Basin.

Democratic Republic, previously called Zaire. The capital is the city of Kinshasa.

The republic that was the former colony of France. The capital is the city of Brazzaville.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The country is located in Central Africa, the capital is the city of Kinshasa. It borders with such states as the Central African Republic, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia and the Republic of Congo. Africa is the birthplace of the least developed and developing countries of the world. The Democratic Republic of the Congo refers to the number of first. According to the IMF for 2012, it is the poorest state on our planet.

Why is this republic lagging behind in its development? First of all, because it was a colonial country for a long time. Relatively recently, in 1960, the state has ceased to depend on the developed European country of Belgium. Before that, the republic was her colony. The second, which is prevented by the country - the climate of the Congo (Republic). It is mostly equatorial, which means that it is always hot here. The crewing sun burns the crops of the population. A sufficient precipitation falls only on the banks of the rivers. The development of animal breeding is hampered by the clusters of the Tsetz fly, carrying hazardous diseases.

The history of the country's development

Many centuries ago, the territory of the modern republic was inhabited by the Pygmeyev tribes. These low-spirited inhabitants of Africa lived mainly in the forests, engaged in hunting and collecting.

In the II millennium BC. e. Congo Country has become a pier for agricultural tribes bow. These nations were engaged in agriculture. They brought with them here agriculture and metallurgy. They knew how to make iron tools of labor. The Bantu was created in this territory the first states, one of which was called the Kingdom of the Congo. It originated in the XIV century. The city of Mbaza-Congo became the capital (now San Salvador). At the end of the XV century, Portuguese appeared on this territory. They came at the mouth of the Congo River. From here, the black page of the slave trade in our history begins. Soon, other European powers for "profitable goods" rushed in Africa. The worker has become the most profitable means of enrichment of developed states. The entire territory of the African continent was soon divided between European countries on the colony. From the kingdom of Congo, slaves were exported mainly to work on America's plantations. In 1876, Belgians penetrated the territory of the state. Since 1908, this country has become the colony of this European power. More than 50 years had to wait for the enslaved peoples to get independence. It happened in 1960. A year earlier, the national movement here led by won the elections to the local parliament. In 1971, the Republic of Congo was renamed Zaire. In 1997, she received a modern name.

Population

A little more than 70 million people live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country is agrarian. Therefore, most of the population lives in the villages.

The townspeople constitute only 34% of the total number of people. The average life expectancy is small here: women - 57 years old, men - 53 years old. This is due to the difficult economic situation in the republic. Also a low level of medicine contributes to high mortality of the population. Its ethnic composition is very rich: more than 200 different nationalities live here, among which the main groups are a bow, Luba, Mongo, Mangbet-Azande and Congo. Official language is French.

Household country

As mentioned above, this state is the poorest in the world. And this is despite the fact that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the leader in the presence of many minerals in the depths of the land. Here are the largest reserves of cobalt, tantalum, germany, diamonds, copper, zinc, tin, and so on. There are large fields of oil, iron ore, coal, gold and silver. Plus, the property of this country is its forests and hydroresours. Despite all this, the state remains an agrarian country.

And they are engaged here, mainly crop production. Every year, sugar, coffee, tea, palm oil, quinine, bananas and other fruits, corn, cornpals are exported from the country. In 2002, there was a persistent economic growth. However, since 2008, he slowed down due to falling demand and prices for export goods.

Republic of Congo

This country is also located in Central Africa. Her capital is the city of Brazzaville. It borders with such states as Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The climate here is mainly equatorial and only in the south is a subequatorial. In the north of the country is always very humid.

History of development

Once on the territory modern country Lived pygmy. Then the peoples of a bantum engaged in honey and housing agriculture came here. They grown yams, legumes, sorghum. In 1482, the Congo country became the place of one Portuguese expedition. And in the XV century, the French came here, which concluded a Treaty Treaty with all coastal tribes. From 1885 to 1947, this state was the colony of France, which not only took out the slaves from here, but also engaged in prey here with copper ore. In 1960, the country was able to achieve independence from European powers. Then the world found out what Congo is. The first president here became Fulber Yula, who was soon overthrown from this post. Ahead of the country was waiting for several coups, during which the power passed from one successor to another.

Climate, Flora and Fauna: Description

Congo - an amazing country. If in a few words to say about its climate, then it will look like this: it is constantly wet and hot. The rains of the rains in the republic are two: from January to March and from April to May. The coolest months are July and August. Half of the territory occupy equatorial tropical forests.

Flora here is presented very widely: mahogany, limb, saupel, palm trees, chitol, ayus and much more. The animal world is also rich. Here are inhabited by buffaloes, elephants, hippos, leopards, monkeys, snakes, birds.

Economy and culture

Tourism is poorly developed in the Republic of Congo. The features of its climate, unfavorable for Europeans, do not allow to establish this sector of the sector of the economy. The basis of the profitability of the country's farming is mining and exports of oil. Agriculture is weak here. Grow mainly tapika, rice, corn, sugar cane, cocoa, coffee and vegetables. Soap, cigarettes, beer and cement are also produced here. Most of the goods are exported. The largest products of this country are America, China and France.

Culture of the population

The local population has a very rich original folklore. Songs and folk dances - its basis. The craftsmen of this country are engaged in wooden carvings. It covers not only clay dishes, various objects, furniture, vessels from pumpkin. Also there are many talented artists who create their own paintings by relying on local traditions.

Full-breed Congo - the second long river length

Many mysteries in themselves, the mysterious continent of Africa. One of them is the Congo River, which twice crosses the equator.

To the cira of pore, it has been studied little. In the upper current, she is called Lualaba. It is near the settlement of Mulum. Lualaba - River with changeable "character." The sprinkled areas by which water flows rapidly, alternate with even and calm territories. Below is Congolo, where it meets the Gorge of Port-D, it forms thresholds and waterfalls. The most beautiful of them are under the same equator. They are called Stanley's waterfalls. After them, the river is already called Congo. On average, it becomes more calm. The mouth of the Congo River is the Atlantic Ocean.

"Terrible" and "beautiful"

It is difficult for words to describe the impression that this river on the traveler produces. The novelist in his book "The Heart of Darkness" said that it was all the same to come back to "the origins of the world, when vegetation was aumed on earth and gigantic trees." What is Congo (River) in the Equatorial Forest, where does it originate? Hell: impassable seizures from huge 60 meter oaks, ebenic trees and Gevi, under the crowns of which the eternal twilight reigns. And below, in darkness, in the warm waters of the river at every step, the danger: crocodiles, cobra, pythons. It is worth adding a terrifying heat and unbearable humidity, swarms of mosquitoes. And yet, its greatness and beauty of the River Congo amazes. She rushes at a huge speed. At the mouth of the river, where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean, a large reddish-brown spot of rocks that the river carries from the most Savannan is seen. Her water is full of fish. Here they catch Tilapia, Nilskal elephant, Berbel, freshwater herring, tiger fish and other. In total, more than 1000 different types of fishing fish live here. There are several large hydraulics on the river, the largest of which is called "Inga".

We learned about what Congo is. It turned out that this word has several values: it is the most big River In Africa, and two completely different states. We told about each of these objects in detail.

The climate of the Congo is hot and wet, in the north - Equatorial, in the south is a subequatorial. The average monthly temperatures in the region of the capital of Brazzaville in April exceed 26 ° C, in July - about 22 ° C, but the daily temperatures are often exceeded by 30 ° C, and the nights are lowered to 17-20 ° C. Almost everywhere, except for a narrow band of the north of the equator, it is divided into dry (May-September) and the wet seasons (in parts of the districts - on two dry and two wet). The most abundant rains go in March-April and in October-December. In January-February accounts for the so-called small dry season when rains go less frequently. However, the humidity of the air remains very high in all months. The usual rainfall is 1400-2000 mm per year, and only on the coast there are slightly less.

Geography

The coast of the ocean is not too picturesque and hospitably: the flat sandy bank is weakly protected from winds and waves, almost no bays and bays. Eastern seaside lowland width 40-50 km parallel to the shore stretched low (300-500 m) Maiombe Mountain, folded by quartzites and crystal slates. To the east of them there is a wide variety of Niari-Nyang, the central reduced part of which has a characteristic karst relief with funnels and caves. In the north and east, this Wpadina is limited to the sorts of Mount Shayia (the main part of which is in Gabon) 700-800 m height, in the south - sandstone plateau of the cataracts. In the center of the country, Plateau Baytec rises, on which the highest point of the Congo - Mount of Leta (1040 m). In the north-west, there are elevated crystalline weaking plains with separate mountains, and the northeast is engaged in an extensive, mostly wetted and flooded with the spill of the Corde Congo rivers. Congo is both the main river of the country: almost its entire territory (except for the south-west, where the main water artery - River Quila) is irrigated by the right-hand tributaries of the Congo (Ubanga, Sanga, Likvala, Alima, etc.), full and stormy, with a lot of waterfalls. There are waterfalls and on the Congo itself - Livingston's waterfalls in the southeastern border of the country.

Flora and fauna

About half of the territory of Congo covers rainforests, which are a mixture of evergreen and leaf falling trees. The forests form three solid array: the entire north of the country (Congo Congo, the main surface of which is engaged in wetlands, periodically flooded forests, and framing her plateau), on the sorts of Shayu and in the Maambe Mountains. On the rest of the territory of the forest were destroyed by man at different times and substituted by savannahs and agricultural lands. In national parks, appeared, Lefini, etc. The rather rich animal world remains: elephants, hippos, buffaloes, leopards, numerous monkeys, including chimpanzees and gorilla. A varied birds and reptiles.

Population of Congo

Congo is one of the nervous African countries. According to 2016, 5,125,821 people live here. The northern regions of the country covered with forests and swamps (with the exception of few administrative centers). Almost all of the Congo population belongs to the peoples of the Language group of the Banto - Congo, Tecte, Mboši and Mbeet. Each of the named groups is a conglomerate of several related peoples and tribes, nonetheless differing in language and culture. The main occupations of the inhabitants are cattle breeding, agriculture, harvesting of valuable wood wood. In the depths of forests, settlements of the most unaware people were preserved on Earth - Pygmeys living in the main hunt.

Big cities

The largest city and capital of the country - Brazzaville, founded in 1880, but the economic capital is considered the large seaport of Pointe Nouire. Others relatively large cities - Jacob and Lombo. The peculiar culture of the peoples of the Congo over the past decades has enriched in new directions: for example, in painting, the style of Poto-Poto (by the name of the old African quarter of Brazzaville) - the pictures depicting the scenes of folk life were made by bright colors, figures of people stretched, stylized and extremely dynamic.

History of Congo

Initially, the territory of the Congo inhabited Pygmy. Later, the peoples of the bow, which are now about 98% of the population.

From the XV century - the Portuguese begin to export slaves from Congo to Brazil. In 1880-1960, the territory of the modern Congo was the colony of France as part of French Equatorial Africa. In 1958, the colony was provided with autonomy as part of the French community, and after two years independence proclaimed.

In 1963, the country's leadership was overthrown as a result of a powerful protest speech by trade unions against corruption in the administrative apparatus against the background of a worsening economic situation. In the period from 1963 to 1990, the country's regimes of the "left" orientation regimes are mainly configured by the prosecutor. The period from the end of the 60s in the mid-70s was marked by significant political instability and a number of military coup. In 1979, General Denis Sassu-Ngesso came to power, in the 11-year period of the rule of which there was a significant pragmatization of the political course - the allegiance of Marxism, Sassu-Ngesso in economically was focused on France and the United States.

In 1990-1991, a significant democratization of political life occurred in the country, as in the whole on the continent. The ruling part of the CTT lost the first multi-party elections and moved to the opposition. In the period from 1992 to 1997, weak coalition governments ruled the country, and the result of the continuing deterioration of the economic situation of the Congo was again political instability.

In 1997, mass collisions between supporters of the main candidates began on the eve of the elections, which were then distinguished into a civil war. Neighboring countries have accepted significant participation in civil engineering; A crucial role in the final victory of Sassu-Ngesso played the Angolan army. Mulserie rebel activity continues to the present.

In 2001-2002, Sassu-NGESSO legalized his stay in power as part of the recovery process of political life, and in 2002 he was elected for a seven-year term by the president.

Economy

The Republic of the Congo is a country where most of the population is busy in agriculture.

Agriculture gives 5.6% of GDP. It is focused mainly on the domestic market. The main consumer cultures are maniacs (900 thousand tons), bananas (88 thousand tons) and yams (12 thousand tons). Sugar reed (460 thousand tons), oilseed palm, coffee (1.7 thousand tons), cocoa, tobacco are grown on exports on plantations.

Industry gives 57.1% of GDP. The main industry industry is the oil industry. There are high quality iron ore reserves. The manufacturing industry is represented by enterprises with easy (production of cigarettes, cement, shoes, soap) and food industry (production of beer and beverages, canned, sugar, flour). In Pointe Noura, an oil refinery is operating.

Democratic Republic of Congo on the map
(All pictures are clickable)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the largest of all Central African states whose area is 2.3 thousand km². In the north of the state neighbors are the South Sudan and the Central African Republic, in the east, the border passes with Uganda, Ruand and Burundi, in the south - with Angola and Zambia, and in the West - with the Republic of the Congo. The eastern region is adjacent to the Lake Tanganyik, which separates the state from Tanzania.

Geographical position

The country is located in the heart of the African continent. Main inner geographical feature It is that almost the entire central part adjacent to the Congo River Basin (Zaire), and is surrounded by plateau and mountain chains. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean only on a narrow plot, 37 kilometers long.

The river network of the state is the most extensive, thick and multi-water in Africa. The largest rivers - Congo (Zaire), her tributaries, Lualaba and a number of others. Most rivers are thresholds. In addition to them, sources of fresh water are Lake Tanganyik, Albert, Kivu, MVERU and others.

Climatic conditions, as in most of the list of Central African countries, hot and wet. The average annual temperature is +27 ° C (in the mountains is much lower). The rainy season lasts from April to November (in the territories of the north of the Equator) and from October to May south of him. The amount of precipitation in the equatorial belt ranges from 1,700 to 2200 mm per year, as they remove from the equator, their norm decreases.

Flora and fauna

Almost 50% of the territory of the country is covered with wet evergreen tropical forests, where the ebenic tree, Iroquo, the ocum belonging to valuable breeds grow. The most extensive forest, he is called Ituri, a different wood wall, covers an area of \u200b\u200b65,000 km2. Coconut and banana palm trees, oilseeds, black and red trees, an African cedar and tick, many types of rubber glasses grow here. In the south, a significant part of the country is a highly harvested savanna.

Very diverse and fauna. Dwarf antelopes, wild pigs (warts and long-haired boars), lemurs are inhabited. Endemic DRC - Okapi. In the savanna, besides familiar animals, you can find a white rhino.

The reservoirs are rich in fish, among many of their species there are and blindfish, having a pale pink body without scales. To preserve the pristine nature, a whole network of botanical gardens, forest reserves, national parks and experienced stations has been created. The largest parks include the parks North and South Salong, Virung, Garamba, Garamba.

State device

Map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

President elected for a five-year term is the head of state. The legislature is the two-permanent parliament (Senate and National Assembly). In administrative attitude Democratic Republic of Congo divided into 26 provinces. The capital is the city of Kinshasa.

Population

The population of DRC is 56.6 million people. Almost 80% are the peoples of the Language Group Bantu, the rest of the inhabitants are Sudanese tribes, pygmen and Europeans. The official language is French, but Swahili was recognized as the language of inter-ethnic communication. Among the believers almost 50% - Catholics, 20% of Protestants, 20% - adherents of traditional beliefs, 10% - Muslim Sunnis.

Economy

DRC is predominantly an agricultural country with a developed mining complex. In terms of economic development, this state is much ahead of most other countries of the African continent, in the world market it remains one of the main suppliers of raw materials. Main export articles: coffee, tea, cocoa, palm products, cotton and rubber. Traditional agricultural crops used to consume internal consumption are manica, batt, yams, tarot, corn.

According to a variety and reserves of minerals, the state refers to the number of richests from the list of Africa and the world (copper, cobalt, diamonds, zinc, gold, tin, tungsten, etc.). The manufacturing industry is represented by enterprises on the primary processing of agricultural and forest species of raw materials.

The excavations of archaeologists indicate that in prehistoric times the territory of the DRC was settled with primitive people. In the era of the late Stone Age, local tribes began to lead a settling lifestyle. Long before the coming of Europeans here they learned to melt the metal and produce copper tools of labor, homemade utensils, coin coins. The peoples belonging to the Language Family Bantu, the property inequality developed, began to develop early-grade relations, the first states arose.

The first Europeans, who stepped onto the land of modern DRC in 1482, were Portuguese, they have established their dominance over this rich region for almost 400 years. At the end of the XIX century. The Portuguese colonia became interested in other European powers, as a result in 1885 the country passed into the possession of Belgium, and in 1908 it became referred to as the Belgian Congo.

In 1960, Congo (since 1971 Zaire) received independence. In 1996, a civil war began, the result was the proclamation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

sights

National parks and reserves occupying almost 15% of the country's territory can be attributed to the number of main attractions. Only here you can meet Okapy - small forest giraffes that have become a national symbol of DRC.

The population is 48.9 million people (1998). In the capital Kinshas there is approx. 5 million inhabitants.

Colony of Belgian Congo gained independence on June 30, 1960 and became the Republic of Congo. In August 1964, the country was named the Democratic Republic of the Congo. President Joseph-Desire Mobutu on October 27, 1971 renamed it to the Republic of Zaire. On May 17, 1997, after the overthrow of the Laurer-Dezir of the Cabille of Mobuta regime, the country has regained the previous name - the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

NATURE

Relief and water resources.

The central part of the DRC is an allyuvial plateau of the average height of OK. 910 m above U.M. In the south-east of the country and along its eastern border, the ridges of Mount Mountains with a height of 1520-4880 m above U.M., the highest point of which, Peak Margherita (5109 m), is located on the ruvenezori massif. The entire territory of the DRC is located in the R. Kongo pool (second in length in Africa) and its numerous tributaries. The most important among them are Ubanga, Lualaby, Aruvimi and Kasia, forming their own extensive river system. There are many swamps in the country, and R. Kongo in several places expands and forms lakes, in particular, Males (Stanley Pool). The largest lakes are located chain along the Eastern Border: Albert, Edward, Kivu, Tanganica (Natural Border with Tanzania) and MVERU. The largest of the lakes inside the country - Mai Nombe and Tumba.

Climate.

Climate in the pool R. Kongo Tropical with a small difference in the temperatures of the cool month, July, and the hottest, February. The average annual temperature is approx. 26 ° C, precipitation falls from 1100 to 1700 m per year, mainly in the rainy season from October to March. In the mountains of Kivu and Shaba (previously - Katany), the climate is cooler and land.

Soil and natural vegetation.

The best soils are in the floodplains of the average flow of R. Kongo, where IL accumulate. Approximately 64.7 thousand square meters. km in the Equatorial part of the pool R. Konggo occupies a rain tropical forest with high trees and closed canopy. To the north and south, it is replaced by park savannate palpathics, and in the field of Kivu in the east of the country there are pure grasses.

The natural vegetation of the country is very diverse. In the forests there are many valuable wood species, in particular, red and ebony, as well as palm trees, rubberos. In a wild form, bananas grow, cotton and a coffee tree. In the south-east of the area of \u200b\u200bthe Schab (Katanga) extends the extensive belt of the edded. One of the most important sources of businesswood - Forest Maumbe with an area of \u200b\u200b5.2 thousand square meters. km from the Atlantic coast, but in principle, it is believed that there are almost half the territory of the country, suitable for exploitation.

Animal world.

The animal world of the DRC is rich and diverse. Elephants, chimpanzees and other primates, lions, leopards, jackals and many different snakes are found in forests and gentlemen. Rivers are replete with crocodiles and hippopots, and Savannah - African buffaloes, antilopes and other herbivore hoofs. In DRC, several national parks, of which are the most important - Virung around Oz. Edward. From the birds are found endemic storks, parrots, ibis, crags and herons. Among the insects are abundant pathogens of diseases of people and cattle - Malari mosquitoes and fly Tsetz. Lakes are rich in many kinds of fish.

POPULATION

Demography.

Estimates of the population, like most available statistical data on Congo, are unreliable. It is difficult to carry out accurate calculations, because within the country, rural residents migrate to cities, and from a number of neighboring countries - Angola, Burundi, Rwanda and Sudan - periodically migrate refugees who sooner or later return back. According to official censuses, the population in 1970 was 21,638 thousand people, in 1974 - 24,227 thousand, and in 1984 - 29,671 thousand in 1992 the Ministry of Internal Affairs estimated the number of residents of the country in 40 million. According to the most accurate independent estimates, in 2003, 56.6 million people lived in the country.

Annual population growth was approximately 2.9% in 2003 and was mainly due to natural growth, since the birth rate significantly exceeds mortality. In 2003, the birth rate was 45.12 per 1000 people, and mortality - 14.87 per 1000. Most experts believe that the real mortality was higher due to the decline of the economy and the field of medical care, but its true scales are unknown. The highest rates of population growth were observed in the south of the country and in the cities. In rural areas of the North, the demographic situation was relatively stable. Despite the fast urbanization, in the mid-1990s, approximately 55% of the Congolese remained rural residents. The average life expectancy in 2003 was estimated at 46.83 years in men and 51.09 years in women.

Ethnic composition, language and religion.

The indigenous population of the territory of modern DRC was Pygmeni, inhabitants of Central Africa. Currently, they remained little and live only in the deaf forest areas. The ancestors of the peoples that constitute the main part of the DRC population, settled here in II-I thousand BC. During numerous migrations. There are approximately 250 peoples and ethnic groups in the country, the overwhelming majority of which speaks Languages \u200b\u200bto the bow. Among the most numerous and better studied ethnic groups - Bagonthogo in the west of the country, Mongo in the center of the pool R. Kongo, Babuba in the south and in the center of the eastern part of the country, Lund in the south, Bashi about the lake. Kivu and Azand in the northeast.

Regional languages \u200b\u200bof inter-ethnic communication are the Kikongo in the West, Chilub in the south of the central part of the country, Swahili in the east and lingala in the north and in the center of the R. Kongo basin. The most common African language in the Lingala. They are spoken in Kinshasas and Brazaville, the capital of the neighboring Republic of the Congo. It was the lingala that was the only African language, which from colonial times and to overthrow the mobuta was used as a means of communication in the armed forces. The lingala shows most folk songs. The official language is French, which is used in state and educational institutions, in the armed forces and in business life.

About 90% of the population is Christians. Approximately 60% of them Catholics, the rest are Protestants, kinchangists (supporters of the Christian African Church) and a small number of Orthodox Christians. The number of Muslims inhabiting the mostly eastern and northeastern part of the country is approx. 2 million people.

Cities.

Since the 1950s, an impressive pace occurs urbanization of the DRC. In the capital of the country, Kinshasa in 1940 lived only 47 thousand people, by 1957 - 380 thousand, and by 1991 - approximately 4 million in the last estimates, the population of the capital ranges from 5 to 6 million people. Economic and political crises significantly affected the demographic situation in other major cities. The population of the population in areas where ethnic cleansing was passed, for example, in three important centers of the mining belt of the copper belt - Lubumbashi, Kolvelisia and Likasi. The population of Mbuji-Mayi, Kanangani, Kisangani, Goma and Bukavu, where they found the refuge. Despite the process of reducing jobs in cities that began in 1991, their population continues to grow. In the absence of reliable statistical data, the approximate population of regional centers of the country in the late 1990s was assessed as follows: Lubumbashi, Mbuji Maye and Kisangani - approx. 1 million people each, Kananga, Goma and Bukavu - 0.5 million people, colvessia and Likasi - a quarter of a million people. Other major administrative and business centers with a population of at least 100 thousand people - Mbandaka, Bandundu, Matadi and Boma. Mbuji Maya - Diamond Mining Center in the field of East Kasia, Kivita - Palm oil processing. The main seaport - Matadi, located upstream not far from the mouth of R. Kongo. Minor freight volumes are processed in the Boma port located above the Congo. It is planned to build a deep-sea port in the town of Banana located on the Atlantic coast.

In the colonial period, the Belgian administration controlled internal migration, limiting the inflow of the population in the city. After the proclamation of independence, these restrictions were removed, and the mass of people, mostly rural youth, rushed to the city. The spontaneous growth of cities led to the fact that the center of each major city, where administrative buildings, shopping centers and capital houses built by the state or private companies appeared, there were huge regions of slums. One of the most serious problems of the Congolese cities is unemployment.

State system and politics

From 1965 to 1990, the regime of a strong centralized presidential power existed in the Congo. President Mobutu focused in his hands a huge authority. Mobutu came to power after the 1960-1985 period, when the country was covered by chaos and separatism, and the weak federal government was unable to restore order. The corruption of the state apparatus and the long Board of Mobutu led to a violation of domestic political stability in the late 1980s and the mass requirements of political reforms. In 1990-1996, the political leaders of the country led long and difficult negotiations on the democratization of the political system. In October 1996, war broke out, the dictatorship of Mobutu fell out, and in May 1997, a new regime headed by Laurent Cabille came to power. In August 1997, another grouping of rebels, behind which they stood Rwanda and Uganda, resumed military actions. The armed opposition announced that she intends to dismiss the President of the Cabil and establish a democratic regime in the country.

The traditions of strong centralized power in the Congo developed in the colonial period, but after the announcement of independence, the authoritarian regime could no longer provide the high rates of socio-economic development of the country. Under the conditions of the one-party system, when the power relations were built on the principle of "Cartridge - Customer", most of the state resources became the personal property of the autocrat ruler and its closest entourage.

Federal authorities.

In 1965-1990, Congo managed authoritarian regime, and the entire executive was in the hands of the president. On the presidential election held every seven years, Mobutu was elected on a non-alternative basis. A unopalaptional parliament, consisting of loyal members of the ruling party, argued the budget and took the necessary laws.

In 1990, attempts were activated to reform the political system from above, to create a more efficient and corruption authorities in the transition period. It was assumed that the presidential powers would be limited, and the executive activity would be under the control of parliament, an independent judicial system and a free press. Mobutu and his surroundings hosted in every way the process of democratization, which at all stalled after the office coming to power, which prohibited the activities of political parties.

Regional and local authorities.

The 1967 Constitution abolished the Federal Device of the Congolese State, declared in the Constitutions of 1960 and 1964, and restored the centralized structure of regional and local governance. According to the Constitution 1967, the governors of the regions, the heads of the administration of districts and smaller territorial units were appointed by the Central Government. The number of areas was reduced from 21 to 8, and later increased to 10. In addition, the capital of Kinshasa received the status of the region. Currently, the country is divided into the following areas: Bandundu (Administrative Center Bandundu), Lower Congo (Matadi), Equatorial (Mbandaka), Upper Congo (Kisangani), West Kasia (Kananga), East Kasai (Mbuji Maya ), Katanga (Lubumbashi), Moneya (Kindu), Northern Kivu (Goma) and South Kivu (Bukavu). Further, the territory of the regions was divided into 24 districts and 134 rural districts or territory. At the grassroots level, the power functions carried out leaders and elders, which were appointed by the government, taking into account their traditional status in the local community.

In 1992, the meeting on political and constitutional reforms, known as the Supreme National Conference, approved the course to the federalization of the state device.

Major political organizations.

In 1967-1990 the ruling and the only legal political organization was the part of the World Revolution, the People's Movement of the Revolution (NDR). Trade unions, women's and youth organizations were built on a national basis and worked within the framework of the NDR. With the introduction in the 1990 multi-party system, the mobuto party monopoly was put in the political life of the country, which was the culmination of a ten-year-old opposition struggle for a multi-party democracy. The opposition stated itself in 1980, and in 1982 he created a party to the Union for democracy and social progress (SDSP). After 1990, hundreds of political parties and public organizations have emerged, which have become an integral part of the democratic movement.

During the transition period 1990-1997, almost all political organizations of the country were divided into two main camps. The first supported President Mobutu and advocated saving the status quo. It was submitted by the organization of the Political Forces of the Conclave, named as in connection with the Assembly, which the properrement forces conducted in March 1993 to remove democratic elements. Supporters of the second camp united around the organization called the Holy Union of the Radical Opposition and its allies, who advocated fundamental transformations and declared adherence to the decisions of the National Conference. In May 1997, the President of the Cabil banned the activities of these political groups and in general of all parties. The Alliance of the Democratic Forces for the liberation of Congo, the coalition of the four opposition groups, established in October 1996 to combat Mobutu regime, became the only legal political organization of the country.

Judicial and legal system.

Justice in the DRC is nearing the standards of both the general law, "writing law" and the usual law. The state judicial system where the norms of common law are applied, built on the same principles as Belgian. At the grassroots level, mainly in rural areas, the courts of leaders act, which are guided by the norms of customary law. Their jurisdiction is limited by the resolution of local controversial situations.

Foreign policy.

DRC - UN member, African Unity Organization (OAU), African Development Bank, Southern African Development Community and other international organizations, supports diplomatic relations with most states of the world.

Armed forces.

Since mobuta seized power as a result of a military coup in 1965, the main support of his regime was the Congolese armed forces. According to the statistical data leaked in 1993, OK. 90% of the officer was the fellow president, the natives of the Equatorial region, about half of the generals belonged to the same small ethnic group as Mobutu, Ngbadi. Countrymen president prevailed in elite military units that made up about a quarter of the number of armed forces, the 15-thousand presidential guard, military intelligence service, security authorities, immigration service, semi-Russian police forces. In general, 60 thousand men and women who served as part of the regular parts of gendarmerie, land forces, landing and mechanized units, in small and poorly equipped aviation, as well as in the parts of the coast guard, were poorly prepared, lived on unimportant conditions and Received a scanty salary. The army existed due to extortion and banditry, the soldiers often terrorized and robbed civilians. As a result of massive robberies and the earliecies committed by military personnel in Kinshas and other cities in 1991 and in 1993, many modern shopping centers were destroyed. All this contributed to the decay of the national armed forces as a combat force and tool for maintaining the law and order. The Congolese army failed to resist the armed rebels who overthrew the mobutu and led to power the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the liberation of the Congo.

The Alliance did not have his own army, except for 4-5 thousand Congolese who served in the auxiliary parts of the Angolan army, who returned to their homeland to help the Cabil, and thousands of adolescents (Kadogo), which the Cabile put under the gun during the seven-month march from Roma to Kinshasa. It is part of the National Angolass Army who served in them the Congolese won three decisive battles: they broke the Serbian and Croatian mercenaries during Kisangani, defeated the presidential guard with Lubumbashi and the detachments of the Angolan rebel of Jonas Savimby under Kenge. Under the command of Rwandan officers, other military operations were carried out: the destruction of the Hutu refugee camps, which were used by the Huti extremists to continue in Rwanda Tutsi Genocide, and the seizure of the main cities and administrative centers of the Congo. Until July 1998, the post of headquarters of the Congolese Armed Forces held a citizen of Rwanda James Cabaret.

By the end of 1998, DRC remained without a national army. The so-called official army, the Congolese Armed Forces (KVC) were somehow formed from the remnants of the Mobutov army, the soldiers of the auxiliary parts of the Angolan army, known as Katangian gendarmes or "Tigers", as well as Kadogo. It is not surprising that this separated, poorly prepared and undisciplined army could not resist the resistance of the army of the Congolese association for democracy formed from the FCCs, including military personnel of the former mobutov army, and the Congolese Tutsi, who received military training in Uganda and Rwanda. In addition to the two army mentioned, several other divisions of militia acted in the northeastern regions of the country.

ECONOMY

DRC, whose subsoil is rich in minerals, has the most powerful economic potential among tropical Africa countries. The country has considerable energy resources - hydropower, oil and natural gas that began to be developed only in last years. DRC ranks first in the world in the production of industrial diamonds and cobalt and is one of the world's leading manufacturers. Economy DRC diversified, although the products of the mining industry prevails in exports. Agriculture continues to provide means to the existence of an overwhelming part of the population, but the role of industry is steadily increasing. Main Industrial Centers - Kinshasa Corridor - Matadi, Copper Mining Area Katanga and East Kasia, Diamond Mining Center. In the colonial period, the companies owned by the Belgians were monopolized by the mining industry, as well as the most important branches of agricultural and industrial production. The authorities of the independent Congo restricted the activities of foreign corporations. In 1974, the government expropriated small and medium-sized foreign enterprises and plantation farms.

The collapsing of the organs of the authorities and internal civil workers who followed the proclamation of independence also undermined the economy. Strongly from the country left the most qualified civil servants, managers and technical experts (mainly Belgians). The cost of combating separatists, the impossibility of collecting taxes in many parts of the country, and the Katangi branch put the central government to the line of bankruptcy. The volume of production in most sectors of the economy has sharply decreased. Since 1966, the process of improving the economy has begun. The army was able to restore order on the territory of most rural areas. In 1967, the government conducted a number of economic reforms that contributed to the development of trade and investment influx. In addition to the introduction of a new and more stable currency, Zaire, the authorities of the country have weakened control over import operations and canceled the restrictions introduced in 1960 by foreign companies in the border.

In the mid-1970s, the country again entered the lane of the economic crisis, which continued in the 1990s. Since export receipts only partially covered considerable import costs, the government made large foreign loans. The growth of export receipts was held back by low world prices for major export products - copper, cobalt, coffee and diamonds. Financial assistance was required by foreign banks and international organizations to serve foreign debt. By 1997, his amount was $ 13.8 billion. Since agricultural production did not provide the needs of the population, the government was forced to spend foreign currency reserves for food imports. Economic difficulties were aggravated by the deplorable state of infrastructure, especially vehicles. Annual budgets were reduced to a significant deficit that there was a high level of inflation with other economic issues.

The protracted political crisis of the 1990s is the interrupted transition to democracy and war 1996 and 1998 - led to a further deterioration of the economic situation, the disintegration of the mining industry, trade, banking and service sector.

Gross domestic product.

In 1991, Congo's GDP was estimated at 133 trillion. Zairov, which approximately equal to $ 8.5 billion, or $ 233 per capita. The share of agricultural production focused on the domestic market amounted to approximately 30% of GDP, industry - 30%. The rest of the GDP was produced in the field of trade and services. In 1995, GDP was estimated at $ 16.5 billion, or approx. 400 dollars per capita. The structure of GDP was as follows: Agriculture - 59%, industry - 15%, the scope of services - 26%.

Agriculture.

The processed lands are approx. 3%, meadows and pastures - 6% of the country area. In agriculture coexist two types of agricultural production. Small peasant farms in which OK. 60% of the economically active population, produce products for their own needs and sales in the domestic market. Until now, such farms are used by the traditional system of trapped farming. Chemical fertilizers and modern techniques are almost not used. Main food crops - maniacs, bananas, corn, rice, legumes, butt and peanuts. The peasants are grown for sale cotton, coffee and sugar cane, surplus food crops are implemented in local markets.

The production of export agricultural products is focused mainly in plantation farms. Large companies specialize in the production of oils of oil palm, rubber, coffee and cocoa. Most of palm oil and nuts are made on plantations located in the R. Kongo pool in the south-west of the country. Arabica varieties are grown on high mountain plantations in the east, robust grade coffee - in the R. Kongo pool. On plantations, most tea, rubber, sugar cane and cocoa are produced.

Because of the tsets fly, the carrier of the pathogen of a sleepy disease in humans and disease "Nagan" in pets, livestock zone is limited. Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry growing.

Forestry and fishing.

About 75% of the territory of the Congo is covered with forests. Wood valuable breeds (tick and ebony) is exported, the rest is used as a fastener material in mines and as fuel. Fish is an important source of protein in the diet of the population.

Mining industry and metallurgy.

The mining of minerals in Katanga was still 10 V. The Europeans began to develop a subsoil of the Congo in the first decade of the 20th century. By the end of the colonial period, European companies controlled almost the entire extractive industry. The most powerful of them was the Belgian "Suck of the General", which, through his subsidiary, Union Miner Du O "Katanya" (Yumok) owned the territory of the area of \u200b\u200b33.7 thousand square meters by the Rights of the Concession with an area of \u200b\u200b33.7 thousand square meters. Km, where the richest mineral deposits were concentrated Fossils. December 31, 1966 The government nationalized the property of the governance. To control the extraction, smelting and selling copper and other minerals, the State Mining Corporation Zhekamin was created. The contradictions arising in the "Suck" contradictions were resolved in early 1967, when the government handed over part of the production of copper in Maintaining her subsidiary.

After gaining independence, the Congo economy has become increasingly dependent on the mining industry. The main source of export proceeds is copper, then cobalt, diamonds, cassiteritis (tin ore) and zinc. The production of copper, which is the basis of the country's economy, is conducted in the region of Katanga. Lead, coal, manganese, zinc and cobalt are also mined. DRC is the largest supplier of cobalt to the global market. In the area that occupies the territory from the northern border of the Katangi to the northern part of Kivu, the gold, tungsten and tantalum deposits are being developed. Casais ranks first in the world for the extraction of industrial diamonds, jewelry diamonds are mined there. Women's large-scale illegal mining of diamonds, which are exported from the country abroad. Gold is mined in the northwest of the country. In 1975, the development of oil deposits on the coastal shelf began.

In areas of mineral mining, large mining and metallurgical complexes have been created. The largest centers of metallurgy - Likasi and Kolweis in Katang. Copper ore is converted to a concentrate from which copper is paid. Most of the zinc ore is processed in zinc sheet, and a part of the cassiterite is integrated into tin bars.

The political crisis of the 1990s was adversely affected the development of the mining and metallurgical industry. The volume of the annual production of copper has decreased by 90%, and the oldest part of gold and diamonds were mined by handicraft methods who preferred to work with a black market.

Manufacturing industry.

Although the first manufacturing enterprises were created in the Congo during the First World War, its development was artificially restrained before the beginning of World War II. The shortage of consumer goods in the war period stimulated the growth of the local light industry, which continued after independence. However, since the mid-1970s, the release of many types of manufacturing products is reduced annually or did not increase. Moreover, in the early 1980s, the production facilities of many enterprises acted in just 30%. Such a situation was due to limitations on currency transactions, which prevented the purchase of imported spare parts for worn out equipment, insufficient volumes of industrial raw materials and unwillingness of investors to load industrial enterprises at full capacity against the background of an indefinite economic situation.

After the wave of robberies from the military personnel, riding around the country in 1991 and 1993, there was a further decline in production, the state of the manufacturing industry has deteriorated after each political crisis. During the period of independence, the highest pace of consumer goods, in particular clothing and food, which was explained by the revolving needs of the ever-increased urban population and the lack of similar imported products. Consumer goods manufacturing enterprises are concentrated mainly in the Kinshasa region, the main industrial center of the country. Mining, chemical and metallurgical enterprises are concentrated in the mining areas of Katanga. Davils for palm oil and small food industry enterprises are found throughout the country.

Transport and energy.

The main obstacle to the development of mining and other industries is the underdevelopment of the transport system and the lack of energy facilities. The basis of the Transport network DRC is the routes of export product export products on rivers and railways. The length of almost all cars and railways Nearby; As a rule, they associate waterways with export production areas. In the early 1990s, most of the roads needed repairs. Transport plugs - the usual phenomenon on the r. Congo between Kinshasa and the Marine Port Matadi. Since this segment of the river is uncomfortable due to the thresholds, considerable costs of forces and means for transshipment of goods from the bargain in railway cars are required. The railway links to Katanu with foreign seaports Lobitu and Bengeloy (Angola), Bejoy (Mozambique), Dar Es Salam (Tanzania) and East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town (South Africa). In 1990, the length of the operating railways was approx. 5.1 thousand km. Due to the poor state of the railway canvase in the 1990s, accidents became more frequent.

The length of waterways is approx. 14.5 thousand km, roads (mainly ground) - approx. 145 thousand km. An important role is played by internal air transportation. International airports are located in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Kisangani. The DRC has a powerful hydropower potential estimated at 1 billion kW. However, in 1990, only 4.9 million kW / h of electricity were produced.

International trade.

DRC - exporter of production of mining and agricultural products. The main article of exports is copper, the sale of which brought the country in 1990 almost half of export revenues. An important place in the list of export goods is occupied by cobalt, diamonds, zinc and cassiteritis. As a rule, the share of minerals in exports is approx. 80%. The remaining export articles are coffee, oilseeds, rubber and wood products. Machinery, vehicles, food, textile and chemical industries, metal and metal products are imported.

The cost of exports is usually much higher than the value of imports. In 1990, for example, exports brought $ 2.14 billion, and import costs amounted to $ 1.54 billion. However, the considerable costs of maintaining the management apparatus and the service of debt in the period after the economic crisis of the mid-1970s led to a significant annual Deficiency of the balance of payments. Belgium remains the main foreign trade partner, which accounts for over a third of exports. Other major foreign trade partners - USA, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Finance and banking.

In order to issue a local currency, the regulation of cash flows and the implementation of credit policies in 1964 was created by the Central Bank. In the 1960s, Frank was repeatedly devalued, and in 1967 a new monetary unit was introduced into appeal - Zaire. In 1992, the financial system of the country collapsed, and in 1998 Zaire was replaced with a new Congolese Franc.

The state budget.

In the period 1960-1990, the state budget comes down with a deficit. Since 1967, the budget deficit accepted a threatening scale. Typically, annual deficits were covered at the expense of the central bank loans, which was one of the factors of strong inflation. The main source of state revenue was taxes on foreign trade operations, as well as export duties on the products of the mining industry, import duties, taxes on personal income and corporate income.

Under President Mobutu and Prime Minister Leone Kengo Va Dondo (1982-1986, 1988-1990 and 1994-1997) there was a practice of concealing the true situation in government finances, when real expenses differed significantly from declared indicators. Thus, published data on some articles of the expenditure part of the budget 1989 looked as follows: Service of public debt - approx. 29%, education - 7%, National defense - 8% and the cost of maintaining the president and its apparatus - 15%. In fact, almost half of the expenditure part of the budget was spent on the needs of the president. Most of the development programs were funded by foreign loans and subsidies. In 1989, the development budget was approx. 10% of the amount of all government spending. After the termination in 1990 foreign economic assistance, this article of expenditures disappeared from the state budget.

Society and culture

General characteristics.

People live in the country 250 linguistic groups. For many centuries, the peoples of the North Zone of Savannon Congo supported links with the population of state formations of the inland regions of West Africa and the Nile region. Located in the West, the Kingdom of Congo is still at the end of the 15th - early 16th centuries. Established relationships with Portugal and the Vatican. For the 19th century The attitudes of the peoples of the eastern part of the country with the population of the coast of East Africa, and shortly before the coming of Europeans in the field of Martya to the west of Oz. Tanganic began to arise Arab-Suakhili trade public entities. At 19 in. The peoples of the southern regions were tested by the military pressure of the South African NGONA people.

Social structure.

Although the migration processes between the city and the village continue, the social structure of the rural society is significantly different from the city. In the colonial period, the Congolese middle class was almost entirely from white. Africans had little opportunities to get higher or secondary special educationTherefore, the most part of the leading positions in the state apparatus and companies occupied Europeans. After the independence of Independence, the Africans occupied the highest administrative posts, and companies that continued to be under the control of foreigners were prescribed to recruit managerial personnel from Africans. Since 1960, the African middle class began to form in the Congo. There are quite a lot of African entrepreneurs in the country, however, the process of becoming an African bourgeoisie is at a slower pace.

A significant detachment of employees has developed in the mining industry, on plantations, transport and light industry enterprises. After independence, a numerous group of partially occupied or fully unemployed people appeared in the country, consisting mainly of young people. They live with random earnings, street trade or thanks to help who have a permanent job of relatives. The overwhelming majority of the Congolese farmers owns small metals, where they grow food cultures, as well as commodity cultures, if there is an opportunity to sell them profitable.

In some areas, located mainly in the eastern part of the country, the influence of traditional social structures remains.

Religion and religious institutions.

In the colonial period, Christian missionaries were active among the local population; By 1960, their number in the Congo reached 10 thousand people. Special patrons of the colonial administration used the Catholic missions, which were led by the Belgians. Churches and missions became educational centers for Africans, where they began to put forward on leadership posts long before such a practice had taken root in administrative bodies and foreign companies. Thanks to the religious and educational activities of the missions, the overwhelming majority of Congolese have been drawn to Christianity.

An important role was played by the third in the number of Christian community - an independent African Church, the chapter of which in 1921 was Simon Cymbang. In his teaching, S.Kombang joined the ideas of Protestantism and African traditional beliefs. The Belgian authorities considered that the preaching of the Cymbang on Africans's God's viability pose a threat to European domination in the Congo. S.Kombanga, like many of his followers, was put in prison, where he died after 30 years of imprisonment. Nevertheless, Kimbangism supporters became more and more, and in 1959, Cymbangism was recognized as an official religion. In 1969, the Church of Jesus Christ on Earth, founded by Simon Kimbang, became a member of the World Council of Churches with headquarters in Geneva.

The fourth and small Christian community in the Congo are supporters of the Orthodox Church, which make up less than 1% of the Congolese Christians. Although the Orthodox faith was brought to Congo Greek merchants, whose churches remained exclusively Greek even after independence, a significant number of Congolese adopted Orthodoxy, as a result of which another influential religious community arose in the country.

One of the fastest growing religious communities in the Congo - Muslims. From the places of their traditional influence in the east and northeastern countries, Islam applies throughout its territory. Islam penetrated the Congo in the middle of 19 century. With Arab-Suakhili traders, slaves and ivory from Zanzibar and from the coast of East Africa. Muslim Congolesees are easily distinguished by white long robes common among the Islamized population of the coast of East Africa.

Organizations and social movements.

After World War II, a variety of Africans organizations emerged in the Congolese cities; College graduates Associations, Intellectual Leisure Clubs, Ethnic Associations and Trade Unions.

Until 1967, the trade union movement was split into three major organizations, which was a consequence of conflicts between the Catholic and socialist unions of Belgium, as well as personal ambitions of trade union leaders. In 1967, within the framework of the one-party regime, all trade unions were combined into one. Independent trade unions have been revived after the cancellation in the 1990 union-party system.

Students had the most stubborn resistance to the establishment of the control of the ruling party over its organization. After a number of serious conflicts with the regime, the student movement was incorporated into the youth organization of the ruling party. After 1990, students, like other social groups, have received the right to participate in any legitimate social and political activities.

Education.

The first schools appeared in the Congo at the end of the 19th century. After graduation, the Africans had the opportunity to continue education only in Catholic seminary.

After the war, the colonial administration began to assist Christian missions in expanding the school system. In 1948, government subsidies were first allocated to Protestant missions. The focus was paid to an increase in the number of elementary schools. After 1960, this problem was in the center of attention of all governments. In the early 1970s, the cost of education exceeded 25% of the state budget. The economic crisis of the 1980-1990s has fallen into a detrimental effect on the entire education system. To survive in the conditions of lack of funds to pay for the work of teachers, the purchase of everything necessary for the educational process and repairing school buildings, employees of education are forced to seek help to parents of students. High School End diplomas are issued to graduates from government after successful government exams. Students of schools in remote areas are poorly prepared for these exams, which lack teachers and textbooks. Due to the difficulties of rural life, teachers with a university diploma prefer to work in urban schools.

In 1954, the Belgians created a Catholic University in Leopoldville (Sovr. Kinshasa), and in 1955 - State University in Elizabtville (Sovr. Lubumbashi). After 1960, a number of new higher educational institutions appeared in the Congo. So, in 1963 Protestant University was opened in Stanlyville (Sovr. Kisangani), in different cities of the country opened doors of medical, agricultural, technical, commercial and other universities. In 1971, all three universities were merged into one - the National University of Zaire, but in 1981 each of them was returned by the status of an independent educational institution.

HISTORY

Prior to the establishment of colonial rule in the south, west and east of the modern DRC there was a number of state entities, some of them were quite large on the territory and population. With the exception of the Northern and Northeastern Occaras, the entire population of the country spoke to the Languages. The greatest trace in history was left the kingdom of Congo, Cuba, Luba and Lund.

In 1484, when Portuguese navigators reached the mouth of R. Kongo, the first contacts between Europeans and the local population were established. Due to the thresholds, the Portuguese could not climb up the river more than 160 km. True Europe learned about the Congo thanks to the geographical studies of Henry Stanley and other European travelers of the late 19th century. Attempt by G. Stanley Interested in the results of its discoveries of the Great Britain's power, and then he turned to the King of Belgium Leopold II, which was found in the person who found an ally. The Belgian monarch conducted a subtle diplomatic game and managed to achieve the participants of the Berlin Conference of European powers of 1885 consent to transfer to his personal ownership of the "independent state of the Congo", the territory of which was 80 times more than the territory of Belgium. Leopold II Board was noted by cruelty in relation to the local population, and the first human rights movement appeared on the wave of mass protests - the organization "For reforms in the Congo". In 1908, the Belgian king signed a decree on the transformation of the "independent state of the Congo" to the Colon of Belgium, called the Belgian Congo.

In the next 40 years, Congo managed a peculiar triumvirate from the colonial administration, a Catholic church and mining and agricultural companies. Until the mid-1950s, Belgium managed to isolate the Congo from the rest of Africa, however, since the second half of the 1950s, the Congolese began to receive more and more information about the liberation movements in neighboring countries. Despite the persecution of the colonial authorities, political parties and organizations began to be created in the Congo. Belgians made the creation of elected municipal councils in several cities, but political parties were permitted only after mass riots in January 1959 in Leopoldville (Sovr. Kinshasa).

January events undermine the confidence in the Belgians, and the colonial administration began to pass one position after another. However, concessions were late, and to establish relations with the Congolese political organizations managed only after the promise of official Brussels to provide Congo complete independence on June 30, 1960.

The most influential party was the national movement of the Congo (NDK), which was created in October 1958 with young educated conglase, which represented various ethnic groups and areas. The Lumumba NDK headed by Patris sought to become a nationwide organization. Although the largest support for NDK was the population of the Eastern province and regions, where the language of the Congo was distributed, until the declaration of independence, he managed to spread his influence on a number of other areas. The dynamic and radical party of Lumumba especially impressed the Congolese youth. In 1959, the party turned out to be weakened when some of the most educated party leaders came out of it, in particular Syril Adula and Joseph Ileo, in the future of the country's prime ministers. Another consequence of the split was the creation of Albert Calonia, the leader of the Karia rival with the NDC of the same name of the National Movement of the Congo - Congori (NDK - K). Unlike the party, the National Movement of the Congo - Lumumba (NDK - L), which was supported by different ethnic groups, NDK - K relied on the Babba living in the province of Kasaia.

The other political organization, the National Progress Party (PNP), the coalition of conservative politicians and leaders, was used by national support, which was created with the support of the Belgians. This party was distinguished by the moderation and the gleam taught, its leader was Paul. Cooling Congolese has deciphered the French Abbreviation of the Party Name (PNP) as follows: "Parti Des Négres Payés", i.e. "Party of bribed blacks."

Other influential political parties were expressive to local or ethnic interests. The Union of the People of Barkong (Abaco) was created in 1950 as a cultural and educational organization Barkong. In 1956-1959, he transformed into a political party headed by Joseph Casavubu. Having a solid support in the province of Lower Congo and Leopoldville, Abaco led political work mainly among the Bagonthgo and repeatedly advocated the creation of an independent state of the people of Barkong in the borders of the medieval state education Congo. Nevertheless, the leaders of the party agreed to enter into the first government of the Independent Republic of the Congo. Created in 1958 of the African Solidarity Party (PAS) united in its ranks various ethnic groups of the people of Queila and Quango province Leopoldville and led the active work among the workers of Leopolville, immigrants from these areas. The leaders of PAC Antoine Gizenga and Cleafas Kamitat managed to create a party, which was distinguished by radicalism and a good organization. In order to defend the interests of Katanga, with the support of European settlers in 1958, a confederation of the Katanga Associations (Konakat) was created. Initially, this party united in its ranks of representatives of all the main ethnic groups of Katani, however, in November 1959, the Babube of the Northern regions came out of its composition, which then formed their own political organization on an ethnic basis - the Association of Babuba Katanga (Babbakat). Konakat was not a massive party, her supporters united the common interests of the African elite of Katanga and those who lived there. Managed Moise Combe and Godfruha Munongo.

At the 1960 parliamentary elections, the Lumumba parliamentary elections won 33 out of 137 deputy mandates in the House of Representatives, 8 more places went to its allies. Representatives of the five provinces of the country entered the NDK faction. PNP in parliament was represented by 14 deputies from three provinces. 13 seats won candidates from Paz and 12 - from Abaco, all in the constituencies of Leopolville. NDK - K received 8 deputy mandates from the province of Kasia. Candidates of Konakat and Babbakat won 8 seats from the province of Katanga. The remaining places in the House of Representatives shared small parties and independent candidates.

In a situation, when none of the parties or coalitions provided themselves, the only logical step was the formation of a government led by representatives of the NDK - L and its allies. A coalition government was formed, P. Lumumba became the Prime Minister. The temporary constitution was largely written off from the Constitution of Belgium, provided for the separation of the executive power between the president and the prime minister: the first was mostly given ceremonial functions. The President and Prime Minister were elected by Parliament. In accordance with the compromise achieved, the post of head of state took the leader of the ABACO G. Kasavubu party. Each of the six provinces chosen legislative authorities chose the presidents of provinces and members of provincial governments. The latter in most cases, like the central government, were very fragile coalitions.

Already five days after independence, the country was plunged into chaos, when the Soldiers-Congolese soldiers raised the rebellion against Belgian officers in the provinces. Riots spread over other provinces, and in the current situation, most of Belgian officials left the country. July 10, 1960 Belgium introduced his troops in the Congo. The next day, Moise Chacombe, with the support of white settlers, declared the province of Katan by an independent state. A month later, Albert Caloni proclaimed the independence of the "mining state South Kasaia".

Faced with the threat of the collapse of the country, J. Kasavuba and P. Luumumba accused Belgium in aggression against an independent state and requested help to the UN Security Council. The UN responded to this request, sending peacekeeping forces to Congo under its own flag, which was mainly from military contingents of African and Asian countries. Their task was to restore order and creating conditions for the withdrawal of the Belgian troops.

At the first stage, the UN operation was successful, but then there were disagreements between the Government of the Congo and UN officials about the nature of the measures against Katanga, where the separatist movement was strengthened with the direct support of Belgium. The Congolese side insisted on the force suppression of separatism, and the UN Secretary General Dag Hammarsheld claimed that the UN had no right to resort to military force. Understanding that the problem of the katanga should be solved at any cost, Patrice Lumumba requested the provision of military assistance to the USSR. The West used this circumstance in order to accuse Lumumba in prommunist sympathies, which led to the fall of his prestige both within the country and beyond.

On September 5, 1960, acting with the support of the West countries, President J. Kasavubu removed from power P. Luumumb and appointed a new prime minister who did not receive the support of most parliamentarians. It even more exacerbated the situation, and a week later, the head of the headquarters of the Congolese Army, Colonel Joseph Mobutu, said that she "neutralizes" all politicians and takes power into his hands. When there were signs that Mobutu's regime strengthened his positions, supporters of P.Lumumba decided to move from Leopolville to the Eastern Province of Stanlyvil (Sovr. Kisangani) and form a different central government there. When, in November 1960, P. Luumumba himself secretly left Lopolville and headed in Stanlyville, he was trampled and grabbed Mobut's soldiers.

By early 1961 there were four governments in the Congo: two of the national governments, one in Stanlimville, headed by Mobutu, the second in Kisangani led by Gizeng, Deputy Prime Minister in the Lumumba Government, and two separatist governments, one led by Chacom in Katanga, the second - from the harbor in South Kasia. The situation in the Congo was concerned about the western powers and the UN. Both in the Congo itself, and beyond the opinion that Lumumba is the only Congolese politician who is able to preserve the territorial integrity of the country. The possibility of returning Lumumba to power scared Washington, his Western allies, so the CIA continued to support the government in Leopoldville. By order, Mobutu, the arrested Lumumba was transferred to the ruler of Katanga Chombe, which January 17, 1961 ordered to eliminate the former leader of the country. In February 1961, the UN Security Council adopted a harsh resolution that required the restoration of the central government and democratic regime in the Congo, as well as the termination of foreign help Katang.

With the support of the UN and Western powers in August 1961, a compromise was made, according to which the authorities in Leopoldville and Stanlimivile had to form one government headed by Prime Minister Siril Adulav. The leaders of Katanga resolutely refused to participate in its creation. In September and December 1961, armed clashes between the UN forces and the Katanga army occurred. Long-term negotiations between S. Addulo and M. Chomba did not bring results, and only the UN military operation against the Army Czuba in January 1963 put an end to the plans of the Katangi branch.

Meanwhile, the government coalition created from Leopolville and Stanlyville representatives was broken down, A.Gizenga was arrested. These events caused mass protest performances. To preserve his unpopular domestically, but the Prime Minister S.Dula, who was supported by the outside of the regime, was forced to resort to tough measures, including the dissolution of parliament. On August 3, 1963, Lumumba supporters have formed in Leopolyville the National Liberation Council (NSO), which for security reasons soon moved to Brazzaville, the capital of the neighboring Republic of the Congo. In mid-1963, in the province of Quille, under the leadership of Lumumba Pierre Mulele, partisan detachments began to form. In January 1964, they committed armed attacks on government agencies, buildings of Christian missions and companies. In April 1964, armed actions began near the Eastern Border. The rebel folk army of liberation (NAO) in the Northeast) in July-August broke government troops and established full control over this area. September 5, 1964, a month after the capture of Stanlyville Nao, Christoph Gbenia announced the creation of a revolutionary government there.

The humiliating defeat of the Congolese army from poorly armed partisan detachments was predetermined by the fate of the government of S.Dululy. In July 1964, a new government was formed, the head of which was Mox Czymba. To strengthen the Congolese army, he called on several hundred white mercenaries and received military assistance from Belgium and the United States. In August, when trying to capture the city of Bukavu, the partisans suffered the first serious defeat. By the beginning of September, the rebels began to crowded the rebels headed by mercenaries.

November 24, 1964 A Belgian landing was reset from the US Air Force on Stanlyville. His task was the liberation of hostages from the United States and Belgium and supporting the detachment of government troops under the command of mercenaries who had to free the city from the rebels. During the operation, more than a thousand civilian conglase and many hostages were killed. Over the next few weeks, partisan detachments in the east of the country were defeated. Separate partisans groups continued to resistance for many months, and in some areas - for several more years.

A wave of indignation, which rolled around the world in connection with the Belgian-American armed promotion in the Stanlivil region, led to an increase in military assistance to partisans. Throughout 1965, the significant supply of weapons through the territory of Tanzania was carried out by China. Cuban revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara has been engaged in combat training of the Army of Laurent-Desire Cabil in the mountainous area near Oz. Tanganica. But the help came too late and could no longer influence the outcome of the confrontation between the government in Leopoldville and Lumumb Supporters.

When the victory over the rebels no longer caused doubts, Chombe created a national political unit Congolese National Agreement (CNS) and held in May 1965 parliamentary elections. Despite the complex situation, parliamentary elections were well organized, and their results almost no one challenged. In the new parliament, two warring blocks were formed. The result of an acute struggle between President J. Kasavubu and Prime Minister M. Chomba was the decision of Casavuba to appoint Kimuba's Prime Minister. Two times the candidate of Kimba was exhibited for the approval of parliament deputies, and both times he did not gain the necessary number of votes.

This situation was used by the Commander-in-Chief of the Congolese Army, General Mobutu, which on November 24, 1965 seized power in the country. Mobutu has abolished the parliamentary republic and transformed the Congo to the unitary state. Most of the Congolese support these reforms. In 1967, a new constitution was adopted, in accordance with which the Presidential Board was established in the country. In 1974, the text of the Constitution were amended, and in 1978 it was replaced by a new constitution, which provided for a significant expansion of presidential powers. Created in the 1967 Ruling Political Party People's Movement of the Revolution (NDR) was announced by the "Supreme Institute" of the country, which turned the Congo to a typical African state with a union-party system and an authoritarian regime.

In the first years of the reign of Mobutu, its regime enjoyed a certain support of the population, which is tired of chaos of the early 1960s. The president banned political parties, restored the power of the central government throughout the country and reorganized the system of government. Keeping close relations with the countries of the West, the government of Mobutu began in 1967 to the implementation of the program on the Africanization of the economy and nationalized the Giant Company "Union Miner Du Oh" Katanya " Elected by the president on a non-alternative basis. In 1971, the african campaign was spread to the sphere of culture. The country was renamed the Republic of Zaire (distorted in the 15th century. Portugal is one of the local names R. Kongo, N "Zadi). Within the framework of the same campaign, a replacement of Christian personal names for African (in particular, Joseph Desire Mobutu became Mobutu seed seed), and the official ideological doctrine was adopted, which received the name of the "genuine Zairo nationalism".

Throughout the 1970s, Mobutu, preserving a generally pro-Western course, began to strengthen relations with China, which provided the Zairu economic and military assistance. In the course of the independence of the civil war in Angola, Zair, together with the United States and South Africa, rendered assistance to FNLA and UNITA, who fought against (MPLA), who was fighting supported by the USSR. The civil war in Angola turned to Zaire to the closure of rail links with the port city of Benghel, through which copper from Katanga was exported. In March 1977 and in May 1978, Katangtsy and other oppositionists invaded Angola in Katanga to overthrow the mobutu. Having obtained significant assistance from a number of Western powers, first of all from France, government troops barely overcame opponents to Mobutu.

DR Congo at the end of the 20th century

The process of weakening the Mobutu regime began in the late 1970s. His precursor was the economic crisis of 1975, and then a number of humiliating defeats of the government army on initial stage Martial steps in Katanga in 1977 and 1978. Attempts by the international community, primarily the United States, convince the government of Mobutu in the need for democratization of the political system and the stabilization of the economy ended in failure. Partially this could be explained by poorly thought-out recommendations, partially - the unwillingness of mobutu and his marked surroundings in corruption to go to any reforms.

Faced with the consequences of the "privatization" of the state by the President and its closest surroundings, the healthy forces of the Congolese society have formed a new democratic movement aimed at restoring legality in the country and state institutions. The main purpose of the democratic movement created in the 1980 democratic movement was the elimination of the deep reasons for the economic crisis and social degradation, the solution of a moral problem known as Le Mal Zaïrois (FR. "Zaire disease"). In 1990, democratic forces managed to make the abolition of a one-party system. At the head of the democratic movement was a group of 13 parliament deputies who demanded political reforms aimed at establishing multiparty democracy. In 1982, this group has created an opposition party of the Union for democracy and social progress (SDSP), which was an open challenge to the one-party state system. The first major action of the SDSP, which was headed by Etienne Thissecture, was a demonstration on January 17, 1989 in Kinshasi, dedicated to the anniversary of the murder of Lumumba.

Democratic forces also achieved the convocation of the Supreme National Conference. The historical Assembly of 2842 delegates who represented all the layers of the Congolese society, which represented all the layers of the Congolese society, was an epochable event in the history of the independent Congo. This forum was adopted a clear legal and organizational scheme of a two-year transitional period to democracy, which provided for the introduction of the parliamentary form of government, the creation of a temporary legislative body, the presidential post, with mainly representative functions and the Prime Minister, which is the head of the transitional government of national unity. The main tasks of the government was to achieve economic recovery and support of specialized institutions created to successfully implement the transitional tasks. The main institution was the independent election commission, which was to prepare for two years, to conduct general elections and control the course of their conduct.

By decision of the conference, the President was deprived of almost all powerful powers, but for the transitional period was left as the nominal head of the state. 71% of the conference delegates who took part in the free elections approved the candidacy of Etienne Thissekdi to the post of Prime Minister. However, in early 1993, seeking to make a split into the ranks of the opposition and to preserve absolute power, Mobutu and his clique, launched a fierce struggle with democratic forces, taking into arms the methods of state terrorism, ethnic cleansing and economic sabotage. In a situation where the armed forces prevented E.Thisseki and his ministers to carry out the country's leadership, the lack of an active government and the collapse of the entire public administration system led to the full collapse of the economy and destabilization of the domestic political situation, which vividly resembled chaos, which was overwhelmed by Congo in the early 1960s.

The failure of the non-violent transition to democracy coincided with the rampant genocide in Rwanda. Many people who have fallen in crimes found asylum in the Congo - in the fields of Northern and South Kivu. Two years later, the headed Tutsi Rwandan government decided to destroy the Baza Hutu on the territory of the Congo, which led to the seven-month war, which ended in May 1997 by the overall of the Mobutu regime and the coming to power of the Government of the Cabil. The country received the official name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1998, the relationship between the Cabill and his former Allies of Rwanda and Uganda worsened. No matter how important the external causes of wars 1996 and 1998 and their international consequences, for the Congolese, the most serious results are that the attempt to transition to democracy ended in failure, and the country is still in the deepest political and economic crisis.

History Zaire. in new and newest time. M., 1982.
Republic of Zaire. Directory. M., 1984.



The Congo state is located in Central Africa, for its short history of independence managed to change the name, several times the state symbolism due to the change of the state system.

The history of the Congo begins with distant times where the first settlements appeared in the modern territory of the state in the 6th century. It was a tribe bow, whose descendants live today.

In the 15th century, the owners of the territory were the Portuguese, who sold slaves on the plantation, and in the 19th century the territory was traded by the French, who founded the capital of the country - Brazzaville. Only in 1960, the Republic of Congo proclaimed himself an independent state.

Until 1997, the country wore another name - Zaire. Several times the head of the government was overthrown, they chose the direction of building a socialist and communist state. Only in 1992 there were free elections for the first time, and some macroeconomic successes were achieved in 5 years. However, conflicts began in the country, which led to Civil War In 1997, among Lisube supporters and Sassu-Ngesso. As a result, Sassu-Ngesso won the victory, which since 2001 rules the country.

Population, Economics, Culture and Religion

The Republic of the Congo is a few state where about 4 million people live. Most of the population is city inhabitants, but the country is in the first place, where more than 75% of people are starving.

Congo - a multinational country, which presents such peoples as Congo - 48%, as well as Sanga, Tecca, Mboši, also there are Europeans, Arabs and Asians, but not more than 3%. The official language in the country is French, although local languages \u200b\u200bare used for everyday communication. Religion among the population was divided into 2 camps, half professes Christianity, and Half - various traditional African cults.

Most people work in agriculture, where they grow corn, rice, peanuts and vegetables, cocoa and coffee. However, the main thing for the country is the production and export of oil, the production of sugar, oil, as well as cement and timber. Everything is mostly being exported, where the main buyers are the USA, China and France.

The Republic of Congo cannot present well-known poets, musicians or artists, but the culture of local peoples is rather rich and distinctive. However, such concepts as literature or painting appeared here only in the second half of the 20th century, and in 1966 a national ballet appeared, which specializes in traditional dances.

Brazaville - the capital, where 1.5 million people live, which is about 1/3 of the total population, or 40%.

The city, founded in 1880 by the French, is located on the bank of the Congo River, where most of the occupied industry - engineering, textile industry and leather. Brazaville is an important port city associated with ferry message from Kinshasa and Bangui.

Brazaville is considered to be a cultural center, here is the largest number of schools and schools, the Institute, the National Museum and the Theater, as well as the Mausoleum of the founder of the city.

An interesting fact about the capital: Brazzaville is located opposite another city - the capital of Kinshasa (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is not necessary to be confused with the Republic of Congo) is the only place where two capitals are within visibility.

Other cities

United cities and villages (except Brazaville) are a province in the Republic of Congo, they are all divided into 12 departments.

A separate department since 2004 is considered the city of Pointe Nair - the main seaport on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, through which almost the entire trade turnover passes, several million tons of cargo pass over the year. The economy of the country depends on the economy of the city, because it is located one of the largest oil refineries in all Africa. The sphere of shipbuilding and fisheries, as well as a sawmill, chemical and shoe industry.

Another major city (third largest) is considered to be Loubomo, where 83 thousand people live. The city was founded in 1934 as the railway station, due to the presence of railway transport, it was rapidly developed and almost three times increased over several decades. The basis of the city's economy is the forest industry, or rather the manufacture of plywood and logging. Also, the population is occupied in the food industry and non-ferrous metallurgy.