Before it was known as Zaire, the country was called the Republic of the Congo. Here are the key dates:
- June 30, 1960: The country declared independence from Belgium and was initially named the Republic of the Congo.
- October 27, 1971: The country’s name was changed to Zaire under President Mobutu Sese Seko.
- May 18, 1997: The country’s name was changed back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo after Mobutu was overthrown.
As Zaïre
1983: Minerals. A set of eight stamps.
Minerals Represented: Bournonite, dioptase, and cuprite. Missing malachite, smoky quartz, gold, “uranium and pitchblende”, and cassiterite.
