Fact 1: The Pygmies of Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to a set of diverse ethnic groups, one of which is intriguing – the Pygmies. Pygmies are believed to be the initial inhabitants of Congo, with a history that predates the formation of the Congo state. These people have a fascinating culture and lifestyle. They’re recognized primarily for their uncommon height, with adult males standing at less than five feet tall!
Fact 2: The Nation of Rivers
The Congo basin holds the second largest river system in the world after the Amazon. The Congo River is the deepest in the world, with depths reaching up to 220 meters. Also, this mighty River is the largest source of hydroelectric power on the continent and supplies water to millions of people.
Fact 3: The Democratic Republic of the Congo Isn’t Democratic
While the country’s official name is the “Democratic Republic of the Congo,” its governance is far from democratic. Its political history is filled with instances of civil war, political unrest, and corruption. The infamous Mobutu Sese Seko, for example, maintained a repressive regime for over 30 years, until 1997.
Fact 4: The Bonobo Phenomenon
Congo has exclusive rights to a fascinating ape – the bonobo. These apes, often misinterpreted as chimpanzees, are unique to Congo and are famed for their relatively peaceful societies. Interestingly, bonobos are matriarchal and solve conflicts not through violence but sex.
Fact 5: The Richest Country – In Natural Resources
Congo is incredibly rich – in natural resources. It harbors vast reserves of diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, and the world’s largest supply of coltan – a precious metal used in many electronic devices. Unfortunately, despite this abundance, the country remains one of the poorest due to political instability and corruption.
Fact 6: The African World War
Labelled as the deadliest conflict since World War II, the Second Congo War, from 1998 to 2003, was dubbed 'The African World War'. It involved multiple African countries, leading to the death of up to six million people.
Fact 7: Incredible Biodiversity
Congo is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world, with an incredible array of plant and animal life. It hosts around 10,000 species of tropical plants, 30 percent of which are unique to the country.
Fact 8: A Festival Loving Nation
Congolese people love to party! The Fête de la Musique, a nationwide music festival celebrated every 21st of June is an occasion to rejoice. Musicians perform in the streets, in parks, and at concert venues around the country, while residents dance and party into the night.
Fact 9: A Francophone Country
Surprisingly enough, one of the official languages in Congo is French. This is a vestige of its colonial past under Belgian rule. An estimated 70 million people speak French in the country.
Fact 10: The Country’s Infamous Snake
There exists a myth of an enormous snake-like creature in the Congolese lore, baptised “Mokele-mbembe”. It is a legend passed down over generations and some locals strongly believe in its existence.
Fact 11: No Coastline
Congo is a landlocked country! It does not have any coastline or ports, which makes foreign trade difficult. Despite this, it’s the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Fact 12: Risky Business
The DRC is infamous for being a challenging place to do business. It ranks among the last in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index. This is due to issues such as corruption, political turmoil, and minimal infrastructure.
Fact 13: Boyoma Falls, The World’s Largest Waterfall
Although Victoria Falls often gets all the attention, the Boyoma Falls (formerly known as Stanley Falls) in Congo is technically the largest by volume. The Boyoma Falls discharges water at an incredibly high rate!
Fact 14: Okapi – The Forest Giraffe
The okapi, a unique animal that resembles a zebra but is more closely related to the giraffe, is endemic to Congo. This elusive creature is found in the Ituri Rainforest and is a symbol of the country’s remarkable wildlife.
Fact 15: The Accomplished Music Scene
Congo has a rich musical history. Soukous music, also called rumba and lingala, was born in the Congo basin and is enjoyed all over Africa. The country has produced many renowned musicians, including Koffi Olomide and Papa Wemba.
Fact 16: A Country with Two Names
Yes, there are two countries with Congo in their names. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Republic of Congo are different nations, separated by the Congo River. They were named after the Kingdom of Kongo, a powerful state in African history.
Fact 17: Soccer – More Than Just a Sport
Soccer (or football) goes beyond being just a game in Congo. It’s an essential part of the Congolese lifestyle. During matches, work and daily activities come to a standstill as everyone cheers on their preferred team.
Fact 18: Home to Africa’s Oldest National Park
Africa's oldest national park, Virunga National Park, is located in the DRC. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it harbours the critically endangered mountain gorillas and is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas on the planet.
Fact 19: The Pinga Massacre
One of the darkest chapters in Congo’s history was the Pinga Massacre in 2014. Humanitarian atrocities, including mass killings, rapes, and forced displacements of villagers, were reported during this period, leading to international condemnation.
Fact 20: Kinshasa—The Francophone Metropolis
Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, is the second largest French-speaking city in the world, after Paris. With over 12 million residents, it also happens to be the third largest city in Africa.