Information About Zaire

History of Zaire

The preceding years before the independence in 1960, the then republic of Congo was blighted by both the political and social instabilities under the colony of the Belgian colony. The name of the state was changed from republic of Congo to Zaire in 1965 after the sitting president who took the leadership under the coup also changed his name from Joseph Mobutu to Mobutu Sese Seko and by use of brutal force, he managed to rule the country for 32 years. Rwanda and Burundi's insecurity and frequent fights led to massive migration of refugees into Zaire resulting to ethnic strife and civil war under the regime of Mobutu. Rwanda and Uganda supported a rebellion in Zaire which forced Mobutu to change the name of the country to the current democratic republic of Congo. Laurent Kabila, who succeeded Mobutu, was assassinated in 2001 and his son took the leadership of the state. Successful constitutional referendum was conducted in 2005 by a transitional government and legislative elections were conducted in 2006. Up to date, DRC is still experiencing violence caused by armed groups as it was witnessed in the dispute during the 2011 general election where Joseph Kabila was re-elected as the president.

Geography of Zaire

DRC is located within the sub-Sahara in the central Africa and borders the South Atlantic Ocean. It is the second largest country in Africa and covers a total area of 2, 344, 858 square kilometers where 2, 267, 048 square kilometers is dry land while the rest of the country is covered by water. The country has a coastline of 34 kilometers and the northern regions of the country are mountainous, the effect brought about by the presence of the Albert's rift which causes tectonic activities. The presence of many rivers and lakes have rendered many regions within the country to have a low –lying terrain and numerous plateaus. The Atlantic Ocean at zero meters below the sea level is the lowest point in the country while the pic marguerite in the mount Stanley is the most elevated point.

Climate of Zaire

The climate of DRC is greatly influenced by the equator which straddles the area of the county into the northern and the southern with varying climatic conditions. The regions found within the northern parts of the equator usually have the wet season during the months of April to October and the dry seasons from the months of December to February while the regions within the south of equator have the wet season from November to March and the dry season from Aprils to October. The overall climate of the country is tropical where the southern highlands are usually cool and dry while the eastern highlands are cool and wet. The areas within the equatorial river basin are usually hot and humid.

Natural Resources in Zaire

The democratic republic of Congo has several precious mineral deposits, ranging from the reserves of gold, petroleum, and gem diamonds to the deposits of copper and coal. Other minor mineral deposits of economic importance include the manganese, silver and uranium. The country is also blessed with arable land covered by forests and the numerous rivers used for the hydro power generation.

Tourist Attraction in Zaire

DRC has many exciting landmarks which attract tourists in the region since most of its parts, including the rivers and mountains, are covered by equatorial jungles. The mouth of river Congo where the most powerful rapids and waterfalls of the Inga falls are located; the mountains of the Nyamuragira with active volcanoes which have erupted 80 times from 1880 and has formed lava fields; mount nyiragongo with a permanent lava lake on its top; the Dimba cave with several remnant of the ancient human activities and the buyoma fall which is composed of seven other cataracts, are the major places you will not miss in your visit to the country. The Sud-Kivu areas within the kifuka region is an amazing place hit by lightning almost 158 times every year; mount Stanley which is the third highest mountain in Africa with glaciers on it and the European fortification found in the fort de shinkakasa are also other magnetic site for tourist within the DRC. The major cities found in the democratic republic of Congo include:

• Kinshasa
• Lubumbashi
• Mbuji-mayi
• Kisangani
• Masina
• Kananga
• Likasi

Famous Hotels in Zaire

The famous hotels of Zaire are

• Havre de paix
• Hotel royal
• Leon hotel
• La difference plus
• Kempinski hotel fleuve Congo
• Sogima hotel ascension
• Pullman Kinshasa grand hotel

Zaire Culture and Cuisine

Christianity is the dominant religion in DRC involving the Catholics, protestant and other indigenous Christianity of kimbanguism. The Congolese musicians are the greatest pioneers of the African rumba which is a blend of the traditional African and American music styles. The starchy ingredients from the cultivated crops such as maize, yams, cassava and rice along with vegetables are the main dishes consumed almost in every part of the country. Meat is used to stew the meals and sometimes mushroom is used to substitute the meat. Fish and chicken are mixed with peanuts and cooked in the mwambe style and even some insects such as grasshoppers are also consumed.

International Airports in Zaire

• Lubumbashi international airport
• Bangoka international airport
• N'Djili international airport
• Goma international airport
• Bandundu airport
• N'Dolo airport