The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), formerly known as Zaire, is a country located in Central Africa. It is the second-largest country in Africa by area and the fourth most populous. It borders nine countries: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The capital is Kinshasa, situated along the Congo River. Historically, the DRC has had a turbulent past. After being a Belgian colony, it gained independence in 1960. Since then, the country has experienced periods of political instability, dictatorships, and two devastating Congo wars, which have had a profound impact on its population and infrastructure. The DRC's economy is rich in natural resources, particularly minerals such as cobalt, copper, diamonds, gold, and coltan, essential for the production of electronic devices. However, despite this wealth, the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with a large portion of the population living in poverty. The population of the DRC is extremely diverse, with over 200 ethnic and linguistically distinct groups. French is the official language, but there are also many regional and indigenous languages. Congolese society is characterized by rich cultural diversity, with a variety of traditions, languages and religious practices. Culturally, the DRC is known for its music, especially the Soukous genre, and for its artistic and craft traditions. The country has a vibrant music scene and has had a significant impact on African and world music. Geographically, the DRC is dominated by the rainforest of the Congo basin, the second largest rainforest in the world after the Amazon. This natural environment is home to rich biodiversity, including many endemic animals and plants. The village is also known for the Virunga National Park, home of endangered mountain gorillas. Population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 84 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 86 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 89 million inhabitants. Capital (Kinshasa): Population in 2020: About 14.3 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Kinshasa: 14.3 million Lubumbashi: 2.3 million Mbuji-Mayi: 2.0 million Kananga: 1.8 million Kisangani: 1.2 million Bukavu: 1.0 million Tshikapa: 935.000 Masina: 700.000 Kikwit: 600.000 Mbandaka: 500.000 The DRC is divided into 26 provinces.