history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Quick Facts

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Democratic Republic of the Congo

Political map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo showing national boundaries, major cities such as Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Kisangani, and neighboring countries including Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, and Gabon. An inset locator map highlights the country's position within Africa.

Luba and Lunda states—among the larger of the Bantu states in the 15th–19th century—shown with neighboring Kazembe and some of the major trade routes

Antique map from 1902 showing central Africa with colonial territories labeled as Kamerun, French Kongo, Kongo Free State, Portuguese West Africa, British East Africa, German East Africa, East Africa, and Rhodesia. The map details rivers, cities, and borders of the era, with an inset map of Madagascar in the lower right corner.

Map of the Belgian Congo from 1908 to 1960, showing major rivers, lakes, cities, and surrounding territories in central Africa. The Congo River and its tributaries are prominently marked, with neighboring regions such as French Equatorial Africa, Angola, Uganda, Sudan, and Tanganyika Territory labeled. An inset highlights the location of Belgian Congo within the African continent.

A Belgian colonial officer in a pith helmet stands on a stone step addressing two barefoot Congolese men in front of a thatched building, with several people watching in the background.

Joseph Kasavubu

Patrice Lumumba

Diamonds-for-weapons trade in Africa

Hear about the Thomas Lubanga case, the first trial conducted by the International Criminal Court in 2012

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