View Message

The European explorers thought the river Congo was named Zaire, they did not name it. It was only later that they learned that "nzari" was the actual word for "river" and the name of that particular "nzari" was Congo.
Also DR = democratic republic (although my limited experience shows that when a country puts Democratic in its name, one has to be suspicious)
For more African Geographic Names:
http://kalamumagazine.com/african_country_name_origin.htm