Congo

1. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République Démocratique du Congo) since 1997 when Mobutu Sésé Séko (1930–97), was overthrown after 32 years as president (1965–97). Previously the Republic of Zaïre (1971–97); the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1964–71); the Republic of the Congo (1960–4) after the country achieved independence from Belgium in 1960; the Belgian Congo (1908–60) when annexed by Belgium; Congo Free State or Independent State of the Congo (1885–1908) when, at the Berlin West Africa Conference in 1884–5, Leopold II (1835–1909), King of the Belgians (1865–1909), was recognized as the legitimate authority. He treated it almost as though it were a personal fiefdom. The name of the country comes from the most important river which flows through it. Its name comes from the Kongo (also called Bakongo) people who founded the Kongo Kingdom in the 14th century astride the Congo River. The river was given the name Zaïre by a Portuguese explorer in 1482 from a local word nzai from nazdi 'river'.
2. The Republic of the Congo (République du Congo) since 1997. Previously the People's Republic of the Congo (1970–97); Congo Brazzaville (1960–70) after independence (see Brazzaville); Moyen-('Middle') Congo (1905–60); French Congo (1885–1905) after the Berlin Conference, when France was given the northern bank of the River Congo after the French had occupied the area in 1882. Moyen-Congo was one of a number of colonies of French Equatorial Africa in 1910–46, then an Overseas Territory of France, and in 1958 an autonomous republic within the French Community. Between the 14th and 19th centuries the coastal region comprised the Kingdom of Loango (also known as Brama). To differentiate the Republic of the Congo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the former is still sometimes referred to as Congo (Brazzaville) and the latter as Congo (Kinshasa), using the names of their capitals respectively.

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