Happy 51st Independence day DRC!!!

A map image of Patrice Lumumba, the Father of DRC

In honour of DRC's Independence day, here are some facts readers might want to know about this Nation

• The DRC is geographically located in the absolute centre of Africa

• The DRC is the 3rd largest Country in Africa with an area of 2,345,000 square kilometres, which is almost 5 times that of France and 80 times that of Belgium

• Since 30th June 1960 when it attained Independence, DRC has experienced long-standing political instability, before seeting up of new Institutions following democratic elections

• The Inga dam, one of the greatest economic achievements in the Country is among the biggest  hydro-electric dams in the World with a total production output of 100,000MW, enough for catering to the domestic needs, in addition to the whole African Continent, Middle East and Southern Europe

• The Country has enough of the main mineral resources necessary for the World's advanced technology industries such as copper, cobalt, columbium tantalite ( coltan ), gold, industrial and jewellery diamonds, uranium, zinc etc.

• The uranium ores that was used in the Word's first atomic bomb originated from the mines of Katanga province in DRC

• The DRC has also been a producer and exporter of oil since 1975 with a production output of 25,000-30,000 barrels per day. Its production is set to increase, thanks to the newly discovered oil fields along the western coast, in the Equateur province and in Eastern DRC

• The DRC has hydrocarbon gas reserves estimated at 50 billion cubic metres capacity within the Kivu lake, so far DRC is the only Country where such underwater gas has been found

• The DRC enjoys ample water reserves with a drainage basin which spreads over 3,700,000 square kilometres including the Congo river, which is 4,700 kilometres long with a discharge of 1,589,178 cubic feet per second at the river mouth. The DRC has enough water reserves to supply water to the Sahelien Countries

• The Congo Rainforest is the 2nd largest in the World after the Amazon Rainforest, and together constitute a vital resource for the purpose of safeguarding the World's ecosystems

• Congolese Music is one of the most valuable export products. The DRC is one of the greatest centres of modern African music, both secular and religious, its renoun has reached far beyond the Continental borders with long standing bands led by musicians such as Luambo Franco (TP/OK jazz ), Joseph Kabasele Jeff  African jazz ), Kasanda Nico ( African Fiesta Sukisa ), Tabu Ley Rochereau ( African Fiesta ), Abeti Masikini, Mpongo Love, Mbiliya Bel, Tshiala Muana.

• DRC with its pleasant climate offers a variety of flora and fauna, found nowhere else. The Okapis, the White Rhinoceros, and Moutain Gorillas are exclusive to this Country

• The Culture of DRC reflects a diversity of artisitic heritage including ancient works of art preserved in Tervuren Museum in Belgium, the National Museum in Kinshasa/Ngaliema and some works of art held by individuals in the Country. The above mentioned museums also hold small objects of the Kongo, Penda, Lunda, Luba, Songe, Yaka, Mongo, Ngbandi people. These include objects carved out of the Earth, garments used in ancestral swearing-in ceremonies, wedding and funeral ceremonies, mysterious objects used by traditional healers and keepers of ancestral knowledge. Export of art is conditional, upon obtaining a license from the Ministry of arts and culture

• The Country boasts of some very successful artists who have exhibited in Belgium, Switzerland and France, such as Maitre Ndamvu, Liyolo Mavinga and Cheri Samba

Courtesy : eBizguides DRC