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Talk:Democratic Republic of the Congo

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For future reference the Wikitravel:CIA World Factbook 2002 import can be found at Talk:Democratic Republic of the Congo/CIA World Factbook 2002 import.

[edit] Regions

I'm moving the province list here for now, so that they don't all get created... we should figure out 5-7 larger regions to break DRC into, which makes more sense for travel... – cacahuate talk 00:34, 15 November 2007 (EST)

As far as dividing the country into 4-5 regions, here's my best shot:

  • Western DRC (Badundu, Kinshasa, & Bas Congo) — not sure about a name, but this is where the capital, ocean port, & most of the paved roads can be found, it is also where most tourists (usually travelling down the west coast of Africa) pass through
  • Katanga (Katanga)— the large region in the south/southeast which is savanna & no-so-dense forest, accessed from Zambia
  • Kasai (Kasai Orriental/Occidental) — the second & fourth largest cities are here, large mining operations
  • Kivu (Nord/Sud Kivu) — famous for the wars & the ongoing UN mission and NGO work; linked to some extent both culturally and economically with Rwanda & Uganda, visitors here also come from those countries for gorilla trekking & Virunga NP
  • Northern DRC (Equateur, Oriental, Maniema) — the majority of the DRC's jungle centered around the Congo River, these areas are remote & difficult to access (except by river boats).

As far as the exact boundaries, this map of the former provinces looks good and appears to line up well with the colors (thus landscapes) in this satellite image. The names in parentheses above are those of the regions on that map which correspond with the regions I've divided the DRC into. AHeneen 23:56, 20 January 2010 (EST)

The UN has a good map of the DRC here! It includes railroads & roads. AHeneen 01:01, 21 January 2010 (EST)
Looks very sensible to me. Just so you know, that Wikipedia map you link comes from the Perry Castaneda Library collection, which we use a lot. You will find topo, political and administrative maps there for most countries. --Burmesedays 04:11, 21 January 2010 (EST)
OK. The UN map has more roads, but since nearly all are just dirt/mud paths through the jungle, the ones the Wikipedia map are probably the most used/useful (anyone planning on traversing the DRC should be sensible enough to get a good map). The railroads, however, are more clear on the UN map (although most are unused). AHeneen 04:58, 21 January 2010 (EST)

DR Congo regions map, for discussion
DR Congo regions map, for discussion

Here is the map based on those five regions. I am really happy with this except for the treatment of Maniema. You will see that this causes a rather illogical looking Northern DRC region. That leg that drops down is Maniema, and I think it could be better dealt with as part of Kasai, or split between Kasai and Kivu. Either coudl be renamed - Kasai-Maniema or Kivu Maniema. Otherwise, it all feels right. And a really fun map to produce as I learned a lot along the way. Discuss, approve or otherwise :). --Burmesedays 12:26, 22 January 2010 (EST)

Very nice work! The "Northern DRC" region corresponds with the second largest jungle in the world after the Amazon (the DRC's majority portion of it, at least). Kivu corresponds with the region along the Burundi/Rwanda/Uganda border that is deeply connected with Burundi/Rwanda politics and conflict. From what I've browsed (and I am certainly not an expert on this country), the Maniema region seems to fit with Northern DRC. This satellite image seems to show dark green in Maniema/western Kivu. Since it lies on the Lualaba (the upper part of the Congo), I'd guess it is similar to much of Northern DRC in that it is rural jungle and relies on water for transport. So the regions should stay as they are. A couple cities should be added: Mubji-Mayi & Kindu. The country's railroads are very degraded and whether or not they are operational is hard to figure out. There are many threads discussing DRC trains on Thorn Tree and many seem to suggest some are operating infrequently, so I'd leave them. One line you are missing is Kinshasa-Matadi, which has recently been operational and is currently being refurbished. I cannot find a name for the jungle that forms the "Northern DRC", but since it follows the Congo River maybe "Congo Basin" is appropriate. I'm not sure about a better name for "western DRC", unless it was divided into Badundu & Bas-Congo. A couple tweeks aside, a very good map and I'm glad you've learned something. AHeneen 13:52, 22 January 2010 (EST)
You beat me to the punch—I was just about to suggest Congo Basin or better yet Congo Rainforest instead of bland-sounding Northern DRC. --Peter Talk 15:51, 22 January 2010 (EST)
All understood and will do those additions today and do the article re-organisation, deleting the old regions, redirects etc. You make a good case for the treatment of Maniewa although it does look very odd! The satellite images are fairly compelling as you say. One quick thing, I would prefer it if we did not take any map live into the article until it is completely finished. Cheers. A good collaborative effort this one.--Burmesedays 21:45, 22 January 2010 (EST)
Done. Map finished, region articles created and all re-directs (I think) in place. --Burmesedays 23:27, 22 January 2010 (EST)

[edit] About the drinks section.

It says that you should beware of the local gin because the fermentation process may yield methanol which is toxic. This is of course pure BS. Fermentation of sugars into alcohol cannot ever lead to methanol, it's impossible. The reason why the gin is toxic is probably that unscrupulous vendors dilute the relatively pricey gin ( ethanol ) with methanol. If you're not carefull when doing that you may end up with a concoction with too much methanol in proportion to the ethanol which will blind or kill people.

Simple fermentation of sugars can not and will not ever yield toxic amounts of methanol. It's simply impossible and stating otherwise is ignorant and misinformative.

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