For more information see the Democratic Republic of the Congo profile.

Zaire is a large nation in the heart of Africa. Most of the land is covered by the African rain forest. Though Zaire is enormously wealthy in natural resources, civil war and government corruption have made the nation unable to feed its own people and dependent on foreign aid.

Zaire was granted independence from Belgium in 1960, but the population was unprepared, causing eight years of violence, anarchy, and secessionist wars. A military coup in 1965 brought the beginning of a 30 year dictatorship by General Mobutu. The General and his associates have shamelessly exploited Zaire's wealth, impoverishing the vast majority of the population.

Zaire has freedom of religion, and professing Christians make up the vast majority of the population.