Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%,
Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10%
Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade
language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo,
Tshiluba
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in French, Lingala,
Kingwana, or Tshiluba (1995 est.)
total population: 77.3%
male: 86.6%
female: 67.7%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Zaire conventional short form: Zaire local long form: Republique du Zaire local short form: Zaire former: Belgian Congo Congo/Leopoldville Congo/Kinshasa
Data code: CG
Type of government: republic with a strong presidential system
Capital: Kinshasa
Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region)
and 1 town* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Zaire, Equateur, Haut-Zaire,
Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu,
Shaba, Sud-Kivu
Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium)