Overview
The Democratic Repubic of Congo (DRC) is the 3rd largest country in Africa with a population of about 55 million. It was originally named after the Kingdom of the Kongo, a powerful empire situated in the west both north and south of the Congo river, the second largest river in the world in terms of water volume. Besides water, Congo has an abundance of natural resources including diamonds, cobalt, copper, tantalum and others.
With the arrival of the Portuguese in 1482, European involvement on Congolese affairs began. After 400 years of slave trade, control over the Congo basin was exploited by King Leopold and then to the Belgians as a colonial power. In 1960, independence was granted under the leadership of the first Congolese prime minister and hero, Lumumba. Mobutu’s reign of power began in 1964 and was tightly maintained until 1991 when the bankrupt country could no longer pay its civil servants. 
In 1997 Laurent Kabila, backed by Rwanda, took control. One year later, this relationship led to a multi-country war involving Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia on Congo soil. In the end, it was a war over resources fought by foreigners but killing or displacing millions of Congolese. In 2001, Laurent was assassinated. His son, Joseph, replaced him.
In 2003, a transitional government was created with 4 vice presidents (2 of them “rebel” leaders). Elections scheduled for 2005 were post-poned until 2006. Congolese remain among the poorest in sub-Sahara Africa with much of their health and education programming supported by foreign intervention. Economic growth is suppressed due to lack of infrastructure and short-sighted government barriers.
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