CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF

General

The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire, is located in the central part of Africa. It is bounded on the N by the Central African Republic; on the NE by Sudan; on the E by Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; on the S by Zambia; on the SW by Angola; and on the NW by the Republic of Congo.

Cabinda, an Angolan enclave, lies on the NW side of the strip that extends to the Atlantic Ocean.

A low plateau extends between the highlands of East Africa and the coastal ranges of West Africa from the basin of the central part of the country. Dense rain forests cover the central lowlands. They are bordered to the SE by the Shaba region, a high plateau, and to the S by the lower lands of the Angola plateau. Rain forests in the E part of the country rise to the mountains bordering the lakes.

The climate is varied, the central region having an equatorial climate with yearlong high temperatures and rain in all seasons. Elsewhere, depending on position N or S of the Equator, there are well-defined wet and dry seasons. The mountains of

the E and S regions have a temperate climate with the highest summits having considerable snowfall.

Buoyage System

The IALA Buoyage System (Region A) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

It is reported that obsolescent buoyage (Uniform System of Buoyage) may still be encountered in some waters.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the Congo franc.

Government

Flag of Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a dictatorship, presumably undergoing a transition to a representative government. The country is divided into ten provinces and one city.

Under the constitution of 1978, the country was ruled by one political party whose leader and President automatically became the head of state. In 1990, President Mobutu announced a transition to a multi-party state.

A state of emergency was declared in 1996 when secessionist forces lead by Laurent-Desire Kabila established a rebel administration and formed a coup. In 1997, Kabila's forces advanced on the capital of Kinshasa, ousted President Mobutu, and assumed power. President Kabila then formed a Government of National Salvation and changed the name of the country to the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2001, Kabila was assassinated and succeeded by his son.

A 300-member Transnational Consituent Assembly is in the process of writing a new constitution, with plans for elections to be held in 2005.

The legal system is based on Belgian civil law and tribal law. The capital is Kinshasa.

The principal crops are coffee, cassava, plantains, sugarcane, maize, peanuts, bananas, yams, rice, palm oil, cotton seed, and various fruits.

Languages

French is the official language, but English is also used. Of the 200 native dialects, four (Swahili, Tshiluba, Kikongo, and Lingala) have been recognized as national languages.

Navigational Information

The only maritime territorial claim of the Democratic Republic of Congo is a territorial sea of 12 miles. The Exclusive Economic Zone limits will be fixed in coordination with neighboring states.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Industries

The major industries include mining for copper, zinc, cobalt, gold, diamonds, coal, tin, and silver; crude oil production; forestry; livestock raising; and fishing. Other industries include the production of textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods, and beverages.

Search and Rescue

Banana Coast Radio Station (9PA) maintains a continuous listening watch for distress calls on 2182 kHz, 4125 kHz, and VHF channel 16.

Time Zone

The Democratic Republic of Congo is covered by two Time Zones, as follows:

1.Eastern zone—The Time Zone description is BRAVO (-2). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

2.Western zone—The Time Zone description is ALFA (- 1). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy is situated at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa-Gombe.

The mailing addresses are, as follows: 1. Congo address—

310 Avenue des Aviateurs B.P. 697

Kinshasa 1 2. U.S. address— Unit 31550

APO AE 09828

U. S. Embassy Democratic Republic of

Congo (Zaire) Home Page

http://usembassy.state.gov/kinshasa

Buoyage System

The IALA Buoyage System (Region A) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

It is reported that some obsolescent buoyage (Uniform System of Buoyage) may still be encountered.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the French African Community franc, consisting of 100 centimes.

Congo, known as the Republic of Congo, is located in the W part of Africa. It is bounded on the W by Gabon; on the NW by Cameroon; on the NE by the Central African Republic; on the E and S by Zaire, which is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo; and on the S by the Angolan province of Cabinda.

The coast, which is 84 miles long, fronts the South Atlantic Ocean and extends between a position lying 10 miles SE of Pointe Banda (3˚49'S., 11˚01'E.) and a point lying 19 miles SSE of Pointe Noire.

The terrain is partly mountainous, with a dense forest in the

Npart.

The climate is equatorial, being constantly hot and humid.

There is a long dry season, from May to October, in the SW region. The NE region is more humid, with a heavy annual rainfall.

Flag of Republic of Congo

The Republic of Congo is a republic. The country is divided into nine regions and one commune.

The Republic of Congo is governed by a directly-elected President serving a 7-year term. The President appoints a Council of Ministers. The bicameral Parliaments consists of a

66-member directly-elected Seante serving 5-year terms and a 137-member directly-elected National Assembly serving 5- year terms.

The legal system is based on French civil law and customary law.

The capital is Brazzaville.

Navigational Information

The only maritime territorial claim of the Republic of Congo is a territorial sea of 200 miles. It also requires advance permission or notification for innocent passage of warships in the territorial sea.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Industries

The major industries are crude oil, timber, breweries, cigarettes, sugar, food processing, textiles, chemicals, cement, leather goods, soap, livestock raising, and fishing.

The main minerals mined are lead, zinc, gold, diamonds, iron ore, and potash.

Crops include bananas, cassava, yams, maize, coffee, cocoa, rice, and peanuts.

Languages

French is the official language. Lingala, Kongo, and Monokutuba are the most widely used of several African languages.

Regulations

In the event of congestion at the ports, vessels are obligated to work cargo at night and on Sundays. If they refuse to do this, vessels may be relegated to the roadstead anchorages and thereby lose their turn to berth alongside.

As the customs officials are very strict, store lists and crew declarations must be accurate, as the slightest error is penalized and a fine imposed.

Search and Rescue

The Congolese Navy is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations.

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is ALFA (-1). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

U.S. Embassy

As of 2001, the U.S. Embassy was co-located at the U.S. Embassy in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire).

The U.S. Embassy in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) is situated at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, KinshasaGombe.

The mailing addresses are, as follows: 1. Congo address—

310 Avenue des Aviateurs B.P. 697

Kinshasa 1 2. U.S. address— Unit 31550

APO AE 09828

U. S. Embassy Democratic Republic of

Congo (Zaire) Home Page

http://usembassy.state.gov/kinshasa