The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a former Belgian colony.
The Belgian Congo ( Congo Belge , Belgisch-Congo ) was a Belgian colony in Central Africa between 1908 and 1960 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC ) . The Democratic Republic of the Congo ( [ ˈkɒŋɡəʊ ] [ kɔ̃ɡo ] ; République démocratique du Congo ) , also known as DR Congo , DRC , DROC , Congo-Kinshasa or simply the Congo , is a country located in Central Africa . The Belgian Congo achieved independence on 30 June 1960 under the name Republic of the Congo ( Léopoldville ) .