Capital

Demokratische Republik Kongo

name: Kinshasa geographic coordinates: 4 19 S, 15 18 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: founded as a trading post in 1881 and named Leopoldville in honor of King Leopold II of the Belgians, who controlled the Congo Free State, the vast central African territory that became the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1960; in 1966, Leopoldville was renamed Kinshasa, after a village of that name that once stood near the site note: the DRC has two time zones

Lettland

name: Riga

geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: of the several theories explaining the name's origin, the one relating to the city's role in Baltic and North Sea commerce is the most probable; the name is likely related to the Latvian word "rija," meaning "warehouse," where the 'j' became a 'g' under the heavy German influence in the city from the late Middle Ages to the early 20th century

Citizenship

Demokratische Republik Kongo

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Lettland

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Regierungstyp

Demokratische Republik Kongo

semi-presidential republic

Legal system

Demokratische Republik Kongo

civil law system primarily based on Belgian law, but also customary and tribal law

Lettland

civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices

Suffrage

Demokratische Republik Kongo

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Lettland

18 years of age; universal

Area

Demokratische Republik Kongo

total: 2,344,858 sq km land: 2,267,048 sq km water: 77,810 sq km

Lettland

total: 64,589 sq km

land: 62,249 sq km

water: 2,340 sq km

Land use

Demokratische Republik Kongo

agricultural land: 11.4% (2011 est.) arable land: 3.1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.3% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 8% (2011 est.) forest: 67.9% (2011 est.) other: 20.7% (2011 est.)

Lettland

agricultural land: 29.2% (2018 est.)

arable land: 18.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 10.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 54.1% (2018 est.)

other: 16.7% (2018 est.)

Location

Demokratische Republik Kongo

Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Lettland

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Age structure

Demokratische Republik Kongo

0-14 years: 41.25% (male 17,735,697 /female 17,446,866) 15-24 years: 21.46% (male 9,184,871 /female 9,117,462) 25-54 years: 30.96% (male 13,176,714 /female 13,225,429) 55-64 years: 3.63% (male 1,472,758 /female 1,625,637) 65 years and over: 2.69% (male 974,293 /female 1,321,297) (2018 est.)

Lettland

0-14 years: 14.92% (male 139,877/female 131,839)

15-64 years: 63.37% (male 570,902/female 583,578)

65 years and over: 21.71% (2023 est.) (male 134,809/female 260,745)

Birth rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

32.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Lettland

8.5 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Death rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

9.40

Lettland

14.7 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Languages

Demokratische Republik Kongo

French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

Lettland

Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%; note - data represent language usually spoken at home (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
World Factbook, neaizstājams avots pamata informāciju. (Latvian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

Demokratische Republik Kongo

58.10

Lettland

total population: 76.2 years (2023 est.)

male: 71.8 years

female: 80.8 years

Major urban areas - population

Demokratische Republik Kongo

13.171 million KINSHASA (capital), 2.305 million Mbuji-Mayi, 2.281 million Lubumbashi, 1.335 million Kananga, 1.167 million Kisangani, 973,000 Bukavu (2018)

Lettland

621,000 RIGA (capital) (2023)

Median age

Demokratische Republik Kongo

total: 18.8 years male: 18.6 years female: 19 years (2018 est.)

Lettland

total: 45.2 years (2023 est.)

male: 41.3 years

female: 48.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

Demokratische Republik Kongo

19.9 years (2013/14 est.)

Lettland

27.3 years (2020 est.)

Net migration rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Lettland

-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Population distribution

Demokratische Republik Kongo

urban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the boarder with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated

Lettland

largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country

Population growth rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

2.33% (2018 est.)

Lettland

-1.13% (2023 est.)

Total fertility rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

4.54 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Lettland

1.55 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Urbanization

Demokratische Republik Kongo

rate of urbanization: 4.53% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Lettland

urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: -0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Education expenditures

Demokratische Republik Kongo

1.50

Lettland

6% of GDP (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Demokratische Republik Kongo

female: 9 years (2013)

Lettland

total: 16 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2020)

Country Comparison :: GDP - real growth rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

3.40

Country Comparison :: Gross national saving

Demokratische Republik Kongo

11.50

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

Demokratische Republik Kongo

-0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Lettland

-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

Demokratische Republik Kongo

$68,600,000,000

Industrial production growth rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

1.60

Lettland

1.93% (2021 est.)

Country Comparison :: Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

Demokratische Republik Kongo

8.7

Country Comparison :: GDP - per capita (PPP)

Demokratische Republik Kongo

$800

Country Comparison :: Labor force

Demokratische Republik Kongo

31,360,000

Labor force

Demokratische Republik Kongo

31,360,000

Lettland

955,000 (2021 est.)

Population below poverty line

Demokratische Republik Kongo

63% (2014 est.)

Lettland

22.9% (2018 est.)

Unemployment rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

NA

Lettland

7.6% (2021 est.)

8.1% (2020 est.)

6.31% (2019 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

Demokratische Republik Kongo

total: 8.7% male: 11.3% female: 6.8% (2012 est.)

Country Comparison :: Public debt

Demokratische Republik Kongo

18.10

Public debt

Demokratische Republik Kongo

18.10

Lettland

36.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

37.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds

Country Comparison :: Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Demokratische Republik Kongo

41.50

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Demokratische Republik Kongo

41.50

Lettland

3.28% (2021 est.)

0.22% (2020 est.)

2.81% (2019 est.)

Country Comparison :: Central bank discount rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

20.00

Central bank discount rate

Demokratische Republik Kongo

20.00

Country Comparison :: Exports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

$10,980,000,000

Exports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

$10,980,000,000

Lettland

$25.248 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$20.768 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$20.539 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports - partners

Demokratische Republik Kongo

China 41.4%, Zambia 22.7%, South Korea 7.2%, Finland 6.2% (2017)

Lettland

Lithuania 17%, Estonia 9%, United Kingdom 8%, Germany 7%, Russia 7% (2021)

Country Comparison :: Imports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

$10,820,000,000

Imports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

$10,820,000,000

Lettland

$26.622 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$20.427 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$20.765 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports - partners

Demokratische Republik Kongo

China 19.9%, South Africa 18%, Zambia 10.4%, Belgium 9.1%, India 4.3%, Tanzania 4.2% (2017)

Lettland

Lithuania 15%, Russia 14%, Germany 9%, Poland 8%, Estonia 8% (2021)

Country Comparison :: Electricity - production

Demokratische Republik Kongo

9,046,000,000

Country Comparison :: Electricity - consumption

Demokratische Republik Kongo

7,430,000,000

Country Comparison :: Electricity - exports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

422,000,000

Country Comparison :: Electricity - imports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

20,000,000

Country Comparison :: Crude oil - production

Demokratische Republik Kongo

19,160

Country Comparison :: Crude oil - exports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

20,000

Country Comparison :: Crude oil - imports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

2015 est.

Country Comparison :: Natural gas - production

Demokratische Republik Kongo

2017 est.

Country Comparison :: Natural gas - exports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

2017 est.

Country Comparison :: Natural gas - imports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

2017 est.

Country Comparison :: Telephones - mobile cellular

Demokratische Republik Kongo

35,270,156

Country Comparison :: Internet users

Demokratische Republik Kongo

3,016,000

Country Comparison :: Broadband - fixed subscriptions

Demokratische Republik Kongo

1,000

Country Comparison :: Airports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

198

Country Comparison :: Railways

Demokratische Republik Kongo

4,007

Country Comparison :: Roadways

Demokratische Republik Kongo

152,373

Country Comparison :: Waterways

Demokratische Republik Kongo

15,000

Airports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

198

Lettland

42 (2021)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

Demokratische Republik Kongo

total: 1,000 (2017 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)

Lettland

total: 490,569 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2020 est.)

Crude oil - exports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

20,000

Crude oil - imports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

Demokratische Republik Kongo

19,160 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Electricity - consumption

Demokratische Republik Kongo

7,430,000,000

Electricity - exports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

422,000,000

Electricity - imports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

20,000,000

Electricity - production

Demokratische Republik Kongo

9,046,000,000

Internet users

Demokratische Republik Kongo

total: 3.016 million (July 2016 est.)

Lettland

total: 1.729 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 91% (2021 est.)

Natural gas - exports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

0

Natural gas - imports

Demokratische Republik Kongo

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

Demokratische Republik Kongo

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Railways

Demokratische Republik Kongo

total: 4,007 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,882 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified) (2014) 125 1.000-m gauge

Lettland

total: 2,216 km (2020) 257 km electrified

Roadways

Demokratische Republik Kongo

152,373

Lettland

total: 70,244 km (2018)

paved: 15,158 km (2018)

unpaved: 55,086 km (2018)

Telephones - fixed lines

Demokratische Republik Kongo

total subscriptions: NA (2017 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: NA (2017 est.)

Lettland

total subscriptions: 191,798 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

Demokratische Republik Kongo

35,270,156

Lettland

total subscriptions: 2,161,725 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 115 (2021 est.)

Waterways

Demokratische Republik Kongo

15,000

Lettland

300 km (2010) (navigable year-round)

Disputes - international

Demokratische Republik Kongo

heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers; members of Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park as peace talks with the Uganda Government evolve; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area; Uganda and DRC dispute Rukwanzi Island in Lake Albert and other areas on the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential; boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda River claimed by Zambia near the DRC village of Pweto; DRC accuses Angola of shifting monuments

Lettland

Latvia-Belarus: Belarus and Latvia signed joint demarcation map in September 2008

Latvia-Estonia: demarcation reportedly completed in 1998

Latvia-Lithuania: boundary demarcation was completed by the end of 1998; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights

Latvia-Russia: Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; in March 2007, Latvia and Russia signed a border treaty, which includes Latvia withdrawing claims to a district now in Russia that was part of Latvia before WWII; the permanent demarcation of the boundary between Latvia and Russia was completed and came into force in April 2018; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia