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Political parties: 2. Voters: 75%. Docile tribal society has little comprehension of politics. Autocratic Leon M'Ba, leader of Fang tribe and former Assemblyman, heads government.
Exports: Oil, timber. Per capita income: $135. U.S. aid (1961): $100,000. U.S. Steel developing rich manganese mines; huge ore deposits also promising. Problems: backward hinterland, inadequate civil service.
18. CONGO, Brazzaville (F.) Pop.: 900,000. Size: 132,046 sq. mi. Literacy: 15%. School attendance: 85%. College graduates: less than 20. One of ex-French Africa's highest literacy rates. Despite efforts to stamp out savage ways, there is occasional cannibalism.
Political parties: 1. Voters: 76%. Little comprehension of self-government. President Fulbert Youlou, a high-living priest and close ally of Katanga's Tshombe, tolerates no opposition; is friendly to U.S.
Exports: Timber, palm oil, peanuts. Per capita income: $40. U.S. aid (1961): $100,000. High-deficit agricultural economy subsidized from France, but projected hydroelectric and aluminum complex is planned.
19. CONGO, Leopoldville (Bel.) Pop.: 17,000,000. Size: 905,000 sq. mi. Literacy: 20%. School attendance: 50%. College graduates: 35. Christians: Nominal 47%. In interior, population is almost totally illiterate; sorcery, ritual killings, tribal warfare persist. Less than 10% are serious Christians; 504 priests, 121 nongraduate doctors serve one of Africa's biggest populations.
Political parties: 9. Voters: 40%. Black Africa's most headlined country has almost total ignorance of Western- style government. Only minute proportion of people even aware Congo is nation. Political parties are inexperienced and on strictly tribal lines. Westward-leaning Cyrille Adoula is ablest Premier yet, but still insecure in nearly bankrupt country.
Exports: Normally cobalt, copper, diamonds, palm oil, bananas. Per capita income: $90. U.S. aid (1961): $13.1 million. U.N. force defeated Communist efforts to infiltrate Congo, but has failed to end copper-rich Katanga's secession after two years. Even if once-prosperous country is reunited, it will take years to create a nation.
20. RWANDA 21. BURUNDI ( Bel.) Pop.: 3,000,000. Pop.: 2,500,000. Size: 11,000 sq. mi. Size: 10,000 sq. mi. Literacy: 25%. School attendance: 30%. College graduates: 60 plus (excluding priests). Christians: over 50%. Fewer than 2% attend secondary schools. Savage customs prevalent; natives venerate cattle.
Political parties: Rwanda, 4; Burundi, 3. Voters: Rwanda, 75%; Burundi, 52%. Belgians restrained political awareness before granting independence last July, when territory split into two states. Rwanda's main political issue is bitter conflict between giant Watusi and Bahutu majority, who were their serfs. Tribalism not acute in Burundi, but people unready for self-rule.
Exports: Coffee. Per capita income: $35-50. U.S. aid: $7,500,000. Both countries are heavily overpopulated, heavily dependent on foreign aid. Rwanda looks to neighboring Uganda for trade outlet. Rwanda is republic with moderate austerity regime. Burundi is monarchy with moderate regime under merry Mwami (King) Mwambutsa IV.