Welcome to DR Congo 🇨🇩 — a remarkable destination in Middle Africa. Its official name is Democratic Republic of the Congo, and today around 109.3 million people call this Africa nation home, spread across roughly 2,344,858 km² of territory.
Below is your complete country profile for DR Congo: key statistics, an introduction to Kinshasa, an interactive map, cultural notes and answers to the questions people most often ask about this corner of Africa.
Geography of DR Congo
Geographically, DR Congo belongs to Middle Africa within Africa. Its territory spans approximately 2,344,858 km², which makes it the 12th largest country or territory on Earth.
DR Congo has a coastline as well as land borders with Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia — a crossroads position that has influenced its culture and economy for centuries.
The capital city is Kinshasa, the political and cultural heart of the country and usually the first stop for visitors who want to understand how congolese life really works.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
People, language and culture
Around 109.3 million people live in DR Congo, making it the 15th most populous country or territory in the world. A person from DR Congo is called a Congolese.
DR Congo is multilingual: the languages spoken include French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba. This linguistic variety reflects the country's layered history and the many communities that shaped it.
Beyond the numbers, everyday culture in DR Congo — from markets and music to family traditions — is what makes discovering it through a random spin so rewarding.
Currency, travel and practical facts
The official currency is the Congolese franc (CDF, symbol FC). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check current rates before travelling.
The international dialling code for DR Congo is +243. Websites from the country typically use the .cd internet domain.
Quiz tip: the three facts most worth memorising about DR Congo are its flag, its capital Kinshasa, and its approximate population of 109.3 million.
Neighbouring countries
DR Congo shares borders with 9 countries:
Fun facts about DR Congo
- DR Congo's flag emoji is 🇨🇩 — its two-letter country code is CD and its three-letter code is COD.
- DR Congo covers 2,344,858 km², ranking 12th in the world by area.
- With about 109.3 million people, DR Congo holds the 15th spot in the world population ranking.
- DR Congo is a member state of the United Nations.
- DR Congo shares borders with 9 countries.
DR Congo — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of DR Congo?
- The capital of DR Congo is Kinshasa.
- What is the population of DR Congo?
- DR Congo has a population of approximately 109,276,265 people, ranking 15th in the world.
- Where is DR Congo located?
- DR Congo is located in Middle Africa, part of the Africa region.
- What language is spoken in DR Congo?
- The languages spoken in DR Congo include French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba.
- What currency is used in DR Congo?
- DR Congo uses the Congolese franc (CDF).
