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French has been official since Belgian colonial times in the 1880s.

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Why does Zaire's first language french?

French is the official language of Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo) because it was a Belgian colony before gaining independence in 1960. During colonial rule, French was the administrative and educational language, which has continued to be widely spoken and used in the country since then.


What languages are spoken in Zaire?

The most widely spoken languages in Zaire are:FrenchLingalaKongoSwahiliTshilubaZaire has been cited as having as many as 250 languages spoken within its borders. In fact, the exact number is difficult to specify; it depends on whether or not a particular tongue is defined as a distinct language or merely as a dialect of a neighboring one.


Why does the Democratic Republic of the Congo speak French?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire and the Belgian Congo - during the colonial period) speaks French because it was colonized by the Belgians. Since the official languages of Belgium are Flemish and French, it makes sense that the administration of the Belgian Congo would have been in either French or Flemish. The reason why French was chosen and not Flemish was for several reasons. Firstly, French was the more populous language in Belgium. Secondly, it was the dominant language among the leadership and aristocracy in Brussels (the capital of Belgium). Finally, as there were numerous French colonies in Africa, but no other Dutch/Flemish colonies, French also served as an international language for African governance.


What are the countries that speak french worldwide?

France Belgium Luxembourg Switzerland Monaco Andorra Canada Senegal Cote-d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Niger Togo Cameroun Congo (former Zaire) Morocco Algeria Tunisia Syria Lebanon French Guyana Reunion French Polynesia Vietnam Laos Djibouti Chad Central African Republic Louisiana (USA) Haiti Martinique Guadeloupe New Caledonia Cambodia Benin Burkina Faso Burundi Gabon Mali Mauritania


French is still widely spoken in which North African countries?

African, Asian and Asia-Pacific countries, such as Algeria, Tunisia, the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), Equatiorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville, formerly known as Zaire), Niger, Senegal, Haiti, Lebanon, Martinique, Vietnam, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Rwanda, the Seychelles, Togo, Mauritania, Morocco, Laos, Lebanon, Syria, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mayotte, the Reunion Island, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, New Caledonia and the union territory of Pondicherry in India (Pondicherry, Mahe, Karikal and Yanam).

Related Questions

Why does Zaire's first language french?

French is the official language of Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo) because it was a Belgian colony before gaining independence in 1960. During colonial rule, French was the administrative and educational language, which has continued to be widely spoken and used in the country since then.


What kind of government does Zaire have?

The government of Zaire is officially classified as a republic. The official name of Zaire is the Republic of Zaire.


What languages are spoken in Zaire?

The most widely spoken languages in Zaire are:FrenchLingalaKongoSwahiliTshilubaZaire has been cited as having as many as 250 languages spoken within its borders. In fact, the exact number is difficult to specify; it depends on whether or not a particular tongue is defined as a distinct language or merely as a dialect of a neighboring one.


When did the french invade zaire?

The French didn't invade Zaire or Zaire Povence Angola zaire was under the control of LeopoldII of Belgium late 1870 Zaire provence under Portugese rule


Why does the Democratic Republic of the Congo speak French?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire and the Belgian Congo - during the colonial period) speaks French because it was colonized by the Belgians. Since the official languages of Belgium are Flemish and French, it makes sense that the administration of the Belgian Congo would have been in either French or Flemish. The reason why French was chosen and not Flemish was for several reasons. Firstly, French was the more populous language in Belgium. Secondly, it was the dominant language among the leadership and aristocracy in Brussels (the capital of Belgium). Finally, as there were numerous French colonies in Africa, but no other Dutch/Flemish colonies, French also served as an international language for African governance.


What are the chief resources of Zaire?

The chief resources of Zaire is his crop


Who is chewe mulenga?

Don't know of an individual significance of interest to this name. It is of the language of Zaire (?) and means 'by the hand of the Creator'


When was Zaire named the Congo?

Zaire


Is Zaire Valley in Australia?

Zaire Valley is not in Australia. It is in Zaire, in Africa.


What is a zaire?

The zaire was the main unit of currency of the Republic of Zaire between 1967 and 1997.


Is Paraguay farther North than Zaire?

Zaire, also know as Democratic of Republic of Congo.


What is the Zaire contenent?

Zaire is on the African continent.