Basic Facts:
Population: 65.7 million
% Literacy: 65%
Life Expectancy: 57
HIV/AIDS 4.2% population
GDP per capita (PPP): $700
History:
Congo was colonized by Belgium in 1870s but was under the private control of King Leopold. By building railroads the King increased rubber harvests. By the 1880s a police army was brought into the country to encourage and intimidate locals into gathering greater amounts of rubber. Often police would cut off limbs to intimidate locals to work harder. During the next 20 years, until 1908, about 10 million local Congolese died of disease, killing or being overworked. It is estimated that the local population was cut in half during this period. Finally, bowing to international pressure, Congo was taken from the power of the king and given to Belgian elected officials. After release of the country after WWII, Mobutu gained power in 1965 and ruled as a tyrant until 1997. At which point an order to expel the tustsi ethnic group from the country on pain of death inspired a revolt and overthrow of government. By 1998 there was a second Congo War, the bloodiest war since WWII. This war ended in 2003.
Names: The country was called Ziare from 1965 to 1997, and is now called the Democratic Republic of Congo, not to be confused with the Republic of Congo.
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