"Congo Free State" 1902 Encyclopaedia Britannica

--Congo Free State was the result of Belgium's King Leopold II's personal ambition. It has it roots in the 1878-founded International Association of the Congo that, in 1885, became the sovereign power known as the Congo Free State. It became the personal kingdom of King Leopold II--an independent state "administered as if it were a colony."

--The Congo can be divided into 3 zones: (1) the small coast area west of the Crystal Mountains, (2) the large central zone bounded to the north by the Congo and Mobangi rivers, on the east by the Mitumba range, and on the south by the Congo-Zambezi watershed and the Portuguese frontier; (3) the smaller zone east of the Mitumba range.

--The state only shows a slight change of temperature throughout the year. Tropical diseases are rampant, and "the country is not suited for European colonization."

--The region is roughly 900,000 square miles with a native population, largely of "Bantu stock" betweeen 14,000,000 and 30,000,000. "[D]istributed bands of pigmy people" are found in the forest. In 1900, there was a total of 1958 Europeans.

--The Free State is "an absolute monarchy" with no constitution. Civil and Law codes are "promulgated by decrees," and a provision is made for the mandation of ordinances by the Governor-General. The Free State is divided into 14 districts.

--"The native population are pagans, fetish worshippers, and on a very low plane of civilization." In 1900, there were 300 missionaries. In many areas, "cannibalism is rife, and degrading ceremonies are practiced."

--King Leopold spent 1.2 million pounds of his personal fortunate on establishing the state. State revenues lept from 72,261 pounds in 1886 to 11,200,000 in 1900, primarily from the "collection of caoutchoue, or rubber, from the forest, and the trade in ivory."

--There are three rights to land ownership: (1) the right of natives to "land in their own occupation," (2) private ownership by Europeans, and (3) state ownership of all land that does nto fall into the above categories.

--One railway exists, stretching 260 miles and built in 1898. The State maintains 26 steamers on the inland waterways. All other transportation is done by porters.