Democratic Republic of Congo is located in the West-Central part of sub-Saharan Africa. It straddles the Equator, with one-third to the north and two-thirds to the south. Clockwise from the west, it is bounded by Angola, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, the Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania across Lake Tanganyika, and Zambia.
Area: 2,344,858 km² (905,351 sq mi)
Climate: Tropically hot and humid climate
Natural Resources: DRC is the third largest country in Africa, is endowed with vast potential wealth. It is rich in minerals, has fertile land and enormous areas of rainforest and its rivers offer abundant hydroelectric potential. Her minerals include Cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore and coal.
Population: The population was estimated at 62,600,000 in 2007 by the United Nations.
Ethnic Groups: As many as 250 ethnic groups have been distinguished and named.
Languages: The most numerous people are the Kongo, Luba, and Mongo. Although 700 local languages and dialects are spoken, the linguistic variety is bridged both by the use of French and the intermediary languages Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili, and Lingala
Natural Hazards: Periodic droughts in the south; volcanic activity
Environmental Issues: They may be extensive and bountiful, but the Democratic Republic of Congo’s tropical rainforests are no stranger to the ills that afflict forests elsewhere: illegal logging, agricultural expansion and poaching among several others