Country Information
| Sovereign State | Yes |
| Country Codes | CD, COD |
| Official Name | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Continent | Africa |
| Capital | Kinshasa |
| Government Type | Semi-presidential republic |
| Currency | Congolese Franc (CDF) |
| Calling Code | +243 |
| Member Of | United Nations, African Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank |
| Population | Approximately 89 million |
| Total Area | 2,344,858 square kilometers |
| Highest Point | Mount Stanley, Margherita Peak (5,109 meters, 16,762 feet) |
| Lowest Point | Atlantic Ocean (0 meters, 0 feet) |
| GDP Per Capita | $495 |
| Life Expectancy | 60 years |
| Internet TLD | .cd |
Democratic Republic of the Congo National Anthem
Debout Congolais (Arise, Congolese)
Arise, Congolese, United by fate,
United in the struggle for independence,
Let us hold up our heads, so long bowed,
And now, for good, let us keep moving boldly ahead,
In peace.
Oh, ardent people, by hard work we shall build,
In peace, a country more beautiful than before.
Countrymen, sing the sacred hymn of your solidarity,
Proudly salute the golden emblem of your sovereignty.
Flags of Neighboring Countries
History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Flag
The flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting the country’s turbulent history. The current flag, adopted on February 20, 2006, reinstates a design that was first used in 1963. It features a sky-blue field with a large yellow star in the canton and a diagonal red stripe with a thin yellow frame.
The blue symbolizes peace, the red stands for the blood of the country’s martyrs, the yellow represents the country’s wealth, and the star is a symbol of hope. The flag’s design is a throwback to the period immediately following independence when the country sought to establish its identity separate from colonial rule.
Previously, during the Mobutu regime from 1971 to 1997, the country, then known as Zaire, had a completely different flag featuring a green field with a yellow disc and an arm holding a flaming torch. The change back to the original flag design was a move to reconnect with the nation’s post-independence aspirations and to distance itself from the years of dictatorship.
The history of the flag mirrors the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s quest for identity, unity, and self-determination. Each iteration of the flag reflects a different era in the nation’s history, symbolizing the struggles and aspirations of its people. Today, the flag is a powerful symbol of the nation’s rich history, its natural wealth, and the enduring hope of its people for a peaceful and prosperous future.