DR Congo is an independent state in Middle Africa, and a member of the United Nations. In formal use it is Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is the capital.
Around 109.3 million people live there, placing it 15th of 250 by population — between the Philippines above it and Vietnam below. Among the 10 entries in Middle Africa it ranks 1st by area and 1st by population.
By land area it covers 2,344,858 km², which ranks it 12th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Algeria and just ahead of Greenland. For scale, it is almost exactly the same size as Algeria.
Location, borders and position
Its reference point sits at 0.0° north and 25.0° east, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 0 km from the equator, in what geographers would call the equatorial belt.
The equator passes across it. Countries on the same parallel, far away in longitude, include Ecuador, Kiribati and Singapore.
Its land neighbours number 9: Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The largest of them by area is Angola, while the most populous is Tanzania. Together those neighbours hold about 229.7 million people.
It has both a coastline and land borders, which is the most common arrangement of all.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population and languages of DR Congo
Density comes out at around 47 people per square kilometre, which makes it less crowded than the typical entry on this list. The median across all 250 entries here is about 90 per square kilometre.
Someone from DR Congo is a Congolese.
5 languages carry official status: French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba. Tshiluba is listed for no other entry in this dataset, which makes it effectively unique to DR Congo. French, the first listed, is shared with 45 other entries worldwide.
Inside Africa it places 4th of 59 by population, and it accounts for 49% of everyone living in Middle Africa.
Money, internet and phone codes
Money there is the Congolese franc (FC, CDF). No other entry in this dataset uses it, so the currency is specific to DR Congo.
Websites there use the .cd domain. To phone it from abroad you dial +243. Standard country codes: cd and COD.
If a quiz asks for the capital of DR Congo, the answer is Kinshasa.
DR Congo is one of the 193 UN member states in this dataset. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
DR Congo shares borders with 9 countries:
Fun facts about DR Congo
- Its capital city is Kinshasa.
- People from DR Congo are known as Congolese.
- Websites based there use the .cd domain.
- It is 15th of 250 by population, with about 109.3 million residents.
- Within Middle Africa it is the 1st largest of 10.
- Tshiluba is listed as an official language for no other entry in this dataset.
- Ranked by land area, DR Congo is 12th out of the 250 countries and territories on this site.
- French is official here and in 45 other entries worldwide.
DR Congo — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of DR Congo?
- The capital of DR Congo is Kinshasa.
- Where is DR Congo located?
- DR Congo is in Middle Africa, part of Africa. Its reference coordinates are 0.0° north and 25.0° east, roughly 0 km from the equator in equatorial latitudes.
- Which countries border DR Congo?
- DR Congo borders 9 countries: Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Angola is the largest of them by area.
- What language is spoken in DR Congo?
- DR Congo lists 5 official languages: French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba. Tshiluba does not appear as an official language anywhere else in this dataset.
- Is DR Congo a country?
- Yes. DR Congo is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
- What is the population of DR Congo?
- DR Congo has a population of about 109.3 million, which makes it the 15th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. The Philippines sits just above it and Vietnam just below.
- How big is DR Congo?
- DR Congo covers 2,344,858 km², ranking 12th of 250 by land area. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Algeria.
- What currency does DR Congo use?
- DR Congo uses the Congolese franc, written FC (currency code CDF). No other entry in this dataset uses it.
