Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo or République Democratique du Congo, is a large country nearly spanning nearly all of central Africa.

Its stamps can be confused with the neighboring Republic of the Congo (République du Congo) since, at times, it has also used the name "République du Congo". This is the large country with its capital at Kinshasa, so it is sometimes called Congo-Kinshasa.


 * Democratic Republic of the Congo is the former Belgian Congo, gaining its independence in June 1960, initially named République du Congo in conflict with its neighbor's name. Its first stamps were those of the Belgian Congo provisionally overprinted CONGO. Its first issue in 1960 was also inscribed Congo (only).
 * The issues that followed were inscribed "République du Congo" until sometime in 1964 when the country's name was changed to "République Democratique du Congo".
 * In 1971, the country's name was changed to Zaire. See: Zaire.
 * in 1997, the name reverted to République Democratique du Congo.

 File:Congo Dem Rep CONGO.jpg|CONGO provisional overprint File:Dem Rep Congo map.jpg|1960 stamp with map of the country, inscribed CONGO File:Congo C.jpg|1964 1fr surcharge. 