Congolese American
Encyclopedia
Congolese Americans are Americans
of descent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and Republic of the Congo
. Many have come because of war.
Currently, about 3,455 people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been counted as living in the United States. This figure excludes their American-born descendants and illegal immigrants, therefore the actual number of people of Congolese origin living in United States exceeds the figure named above. Rose Mapendo who suffered from the war has helped 2,000 Congolese to immigrate into the United States through the organization Mapendo International
. French
and any of the several Bantu languages
are spoken in addition to English
. Most Congolese are Christians, Evangelicals and Catholics in the case of the people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Catholics in the case of the people of the Republic of the Congo.
The largest Congolese communities in the U.S. are Boston
, New York City
, and the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore area.
There is also a significant population of Congolese Americans Charlotte
and Raleigh
areas, in the state North Carolina
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of descent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
and Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
. Many have come because of war.
Currently, about 3,455 people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been counted as living in the United States. This figure excludes their American-born descendants and illegal immigrants, therefore the actual number of people of Congolese origin living in United States exceeds the figure named above. Rose Mapendo who suffered from the war has helped 2,000 Congolese to immigrate into the United States through the organization Mapendo International
Mapendo International
RefugePoint is a non-profit organization that "works to fill the critical and unmet needs of people affected by war and conflict who have fallen through the net of humanitarian assistance." RefugePoint is based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and Nairobi, Kenya...
. French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and any of the several Bantu languages
Bantu languages
The Bantu languages constitute a traditional sub-branch of the Niger–Congo languages. There are about 250 Bantu languages by the criterion of mutual intelligibility, though the distinction between language and dialect is often unclear, and Ethnologue counts 535 languages...
are spoken in addition to English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. Most Congolese are Christians, Evangelicals and Catholics in the case of the people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Catholics in the case of the people of the Republic of the Congo.
The largest Congolese communities in the U.S. are Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore area.
There is also a significant population of Congolese Americans Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
and Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
areas, in the state North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.