Democratic Republic of Congo

Location: Central Africa

Capital and largest city: Kinshasa

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, DROC, DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or RDC), previously called Zaire, is a country located in central Africa with the Atlantic Ocean by its side. It is the third largest country in Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo is ranked as the 18th most populous country in the world, and the 4th with the most population in Africa. As well, the country with the most population speaking, French, as their official language.

Languages: There are approximately more than 242 tribal languages spoken in Democratic Republic of Congo. However, only 4 languages are given the status as national languages: Lingala, Tshiluba, Kikongo (Kituba) and Swahili. As the country was a colony of Belgium, French became the official language of this country.

Among all other African countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo has the most biodiversity. The rainforest contains diverse species that are rare and endemic, such as, Okapi, Bonobo (Pygmy Chimpanzee), forest elephant, mountain gorilla, white rhino, and many other ape species. There are five national parks that are listed as the world heritage site: Virunga National Park, Garamba National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, and lastly Salonga National Park.

There are 3 distinctive ape species occupying this country, containing over 80% of the world’s population: the common chimpanzee, gorilla and lastly, Bonobo. Bonobos are only found in this country’s wilderness, also classified as an endangered species, as well as the Okapi which inhabits only in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Founded in 1992, and declared as the World Heritage site, it conserves the habitat of the endangered Okapi. There are predicted 30,000 okapi alive, however their numbers have dwindled and currently the animal is in jeopardy of extinction. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve also