The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a Central African country and the second-largest in Africa by land area, operating as a Republic with its capital at Kinshasa. Its origin lies in the Congo Free State, a personal possession of Belgian King Leopold II established in 1885. Following international outrage, administration shifted to the Belgian Government in 1907, and it was renamed the Belgian Congo. The country gained independence on June 30, 1960, initially as the Republic of Congo. It was renamed Zaire in 1971 by President Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled for 32 years. The current name, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was restored in May 1997 after Mobutu's overthrow. The country's governance is structured by the Constitution of the Third Republic, which was promulgated on February 18, 2006, following a referendum on December 18, 2005. This constitution establishes a highly centralized Republic with legislative and executive power vested in the president. The DRC is central to the Great Lakes region and is often referred to as Congo-Kinshasa to distinguish it from its neighbor, the Republic of the Congo. Its history is marked by the devastating Second Congo War, which began on August 2, 1998, and involved multiple African nations, connecting its internal stability to regional dynamics. The country possesses vast natural resources, including diamonds and gold, which are a key factor in its political and economic landscape.
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The Revolt of 1857 (First War of Independence) led to the end of East India Company rule and the beginning of direct British Crown rule.
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