This is a professionally-formatted, free flowing ebook reproduction of a unique guide produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.Contents include: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Geographic Regions and Topographic Features * Climate * Rivers and Lakes * The Congo River * Tributaries * Lakes * Cities * Kinshasa * Lubumbashi * Mbuji-Mayi * Kananga * Kisangani * Environmental Concerns * Natural Hazards * Self-Study Questions * History * Introduction * Kingdoms and Empires before the Europeans * Arrival of the Europeans * The Age of Exploration * Henry Morton Stanley: Adventurer * "Ce Magnifique Gateau Africain": Leopold's Congo * The Congo Free State * Public Indignation: Savagery Perpetrated by Business Interests * Belgian Congo * Religious Movements * Prelude to Independence * "The Revolution Without Revolutionaries" * The Republic of the Congo (1960-1965) * Independence * The Congo Crisis: Secession Movements * The Mobutu Era (1965-1997) * Early Years * Corruption and Economic Collapse * The Congo Wars (1996-2003) * Recent Events: Another Kabila in Power * Self-Study Questions * Economy * Introduction * Agriculture * Manufacturing and Industry * Banking and Currency * Trade * Investment * Energy and Mineral Resources * Energy: Oil, Gas and Hydroelectricity * Minerals: Rich Deposits, Rife with Conflict * Standard of Living * Tourism * Transportation * Economic Outlook * International Organizations * Self-Study Questions * Society * Introduction * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Regional Languages * Religion * Gender Issues * Traditions: Celebrations and Holidays * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * Arts * Music: Soukous, Rumba and Pop * Traditional Crafts: Spiritual Power and Everyday Objects * Folktales and Folklore * Sports and Recreation * Self-Study Questions * Security * Introduction * Military * MONUC * U.S-Democratic Republic of the Congo Relations * Relations With Neighboring Countries * Central African Republic * Republic of the Congo * Angola * Zambia * Tanzania * Burundi * Rwanda * Uganda * Sudan * Terrorist Groups and Activity * LRA * FDLR * Issues Affecting Stability * Ethnic Conflict * Military Reform * Demographic Concerns * Looking Forward * Self-Study Questions * Further Reading * Appendix A: Answers to Self Study Questions