7. Population, Urbanization, and AIDS

The twentieth century was the setting for the most explosive growth of human population.

Population


1. Total :68,692,542
2. Annual Growth Rate: 3.208%
3. Rural/urban population ration:68/32
4. Ethnic make up :Bantu majority; more than 200 African groups

Source: Global Studies Africa

Urbanization


urban population is 35% total population (2010)
Rate of urbanization:4.5% annual rate of change (2010-15est)

Source:CIA World Facebook

AIDS


The Democratic Republic of the Congo was tone of the  first sub-Sahara African country  to recognize HIV/AIDS. When its first cases were registered in 1983. Presently, the country has a generalized epidemic,through data form surveillance studies show cases are concentrated among most -at- risk populations in numerous hot spots across the country. The joint United Nations program in HIV/AIDS estimated there were between 400.000 and 500.000 people living with HIV/AIDS and 1.3 percent prevalence  among adults at the end of 2007.

Source: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/Countries/africa/congo.html

6.International Relations

Several watershed events have influenced the evolution of African international relations since the late nineteenth century.In the aftermath of the Berlin conference of 1884-1885, independence Africa( except for Ethiopia and Liberia). Ceased to exist ,and African international relationship were controlled by the European colonial powers.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example,Mobutu Sese Seko assumed power in 1965 through a military coup d'etat supported by the U.S.government  and gradually concentrated all power around the office of the present. Often unwilling to listen to his foreign policy experts within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and having effectively silenced other potential centers of opposition,most notable by disbanding the Zairian National Assembly,Mobutu  made a speech before the UN General Assembly in which he announced his decision to rupture all diplomatic  ties with Israel. This decision was notable in that it was made without  any warning to the Nixon  White  House and effectively derailed state Department efforts to win  congressional passage of a Zairian foreign aid  bill

Source: Understanding Contemporary Africa

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is also a member of the international criminal Court with a Bilateral immunity agreement of protection for U.S.-military.  Thus, The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a relationship in the U.S.

5.Economic

The Democratic Republican  of the Congo has potential one of the country as compared to other Africa countries. Although Democratic Republic of the Congo  has a lower GDP, but there are extraordinary agricultural and mineral resources. But still , the IMF and world Bank Executive help the Democratic republican of the Congo.

1. Currency ( $U.S.equivalent):560 CDF =$1.
2. Per Capita income /GDP:#300/$20.64 billion
3. GDP Growth Rate:5.9%
4. Labor Force by occupation:65% agriculture:19% services:16 % industry.
5. Natural resources: cobalt; copper;cadmium;petroleum;zinc;diamonds; manganese;tin;gold;silver;bauxite;iron ore;coal;hydro power; timber; others.
6. Agriculture: coffee;palm oil;rubber;tea;manioc;root crops; corn;fruits;sugarcane;wood products.
7.In consumer products;cement;industry: mineral mining and processing;diamonds.
8.Exports:.$6.1 billion ( primary partners Belgium, United States, South Africa).
9. Imports: %5.6 billion (primary  partners South Africa, Benelux, Nigeria).

Source:  Global Studies Africa.


Foreign direct investment; Net Inflows ( % of GDP)


The Democratic Republic of the Congo, previously known as Zaire and once the second most  industrialized country in Africa,is now one of the world's poorest nations. years of conflicts, corruption and government mismanagement  have left  the country in a very bad  shape hampering  any foreign investments. In fact, despite its vast mineral resources (cobalt, copper, diamonds, coltan), large forest and river system, two thirds of Congo's population live in extreme poverty.

4.Politics

Democratic Republican of the Congo became independence on June 30,1960,under the leadership of president Kasavubu and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. The beginning of the 1990-moves toward political liberalization, reform and democratization in Africa. The Democratic Republican of the Congo first democratic elections on four  decades were held on 30 July 2006. Although the eastern regions are still plagued by militia violence, the D.R.C. is now poised for a new beginning as former rebels have joined a power -sharing government.

1.type:Republic
2. Independence Date:June 30,1960 ( from Belgium)
3. Head of sate/government;President Joseph Kabila  is both head of state and head of government
4.Political Parties: popular movement of the Revolution: Democratic Social Christian party;others
5.suffrage:universal and compulsory at 18

Reference: Global Studies Africa

3. History

Most of Africa history influenced the colonial experience and continue to be a powerful force shaping post colonial Africa.  
Formerly the Belgian Congo, this territory was inhabited by ancient Negrito peoples (Pygmies), who were pushed into the mountains by Bantu and Nilotic invaders. The American correspondent Henry M. Stanley navigated the Congo River in 1877 and opened the interior to exploration. Commissioned by King Leopold II of the Belgians, Stanley made treaties with native chiefs that enabled the king to obtain personal title to the territory at the Berlin Conference of 1885. 
But within weeks of independence, the Katanga Province, led by Moise Tshombe, seceded from the new republic, and another mining province, South Kasai, followed. Belgium sent paratroopers to quell the civil war, and the United Nations flew in a peacekeeping force.

Source : Congo, Democratic Republic of the : History, Geography, Government, and Culture — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0198161.html#ixzz1ZAwp2ipw

Since independence, its instability has been a destabilizing influence for its neighbors in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. At peace, it could become the hub of an African renaissance.

Facts

Full name: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Population: 67 million (UN, 2010)

Capital: Kinshasa

Area: 2.34 million sq km (905,354 sq miles)

Major languages: French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba

Major religions: Christianity, Islam

Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 50 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 Congolese franc = 100 centimes

Main exports: Diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oil

GNI per capita: US $160 (World Bank, 2009)

Internet domain: .cd

International dialling code: +243

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076399.stm

Introduction

I choose the country, the Democratic Republican of the Congo. Because I wish I want to visit the Democratic Republican of the Congo in Africa. Briefly, I will introduce some feature such as history, economy,...of the Democratic Republican of the Congo. There are the Democratic Republican of the Congo's the flag, the map and the  feature picture.