BBC
HISTORY
The Democratic Republic of Congo has endured political and social turmoil since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960.
International observers hope the July elections will bring the first fully democratic vote in more than 40 years.
Post-independence turmoil saw the rise of Colonel Mobutu Sese Seko who seized, and held onto, power for 32 years until he was deposed by Laurent Kabila's rebellion in 1997.
The 1998 insurrection by rebels linked to Rwanda and Uganda triggered a war involving six other nations.
The UN accused warring sides of prolonging the conflict as they looted natural resources.
GEOGRAPHY
DR Congo is at the heart of the equatorial region of Sub-Saharan Africa and includes 47% of the continent's forest.
The Congo River and its tributaries form an economic lifeline due to the lack of decent roads.
The vast country has huge deposits of diamonds, copper and coltan - important in the production of high-tech goods - and its forests are home to rare species.
Five national parks are listed by Unesco as World Heritage in Danger because of threats from conflict and mining.
The parks' wildlife includes mountain gorillas, savannah giraffe and rare white rhino.
PEOPLE
The population of 56 million is split into many ethnic groups.
It is also divided by at least 210 languages - but mainly French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo and Tshiluba.
The human toll of the fighting - often called Africa's 'First World War' - has been catastrophic, with more than four million dead since 1998.
Around 1,200 people die each day as a direct or indirect result of the conflict - more than half of them children.
Many have suffered horrific abuse, including rape and sexual slavery by armed groups, which has contributed to the advance of HIV/Aids.
ECONOMICS
DR Congo's economy has been stifled by years of conflict and corruption. But mineral reserves mean it has potential to be a wealthy country.
The $870m diamond industry provides work for around one million people, but many diggers earn less than $1 a day in dangerous conditions.
Between 1999 and 2001, DR Congo enjoyed a brief coltan boom, becoming the second largest producer of tantalum - used in mobile phones.
War has disrupted farming as well as trade and the country lacks infrastructure to provide adequate food, clean water, healthcare and education.
It is hoped the elections will create an environment for greater foreign investment and a more organized exploitation of resources.
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