Nov 16 (Reuters) - U.N. and European peacekeepers deployed in force to deter violence in Congo's capital on Thursday after President Jospeh Kabila was declared winner of a historic election in a result disputed by his rival. Congo's electoral commission late on Wednesday announced incumbent President Kabila had won the Oct. 29 presidential run-off, taking 58.05 percent of the votes against 41.95 percent for his rival Bemba. Although the Supreme Court must still confirm the result, Bemba's campaign coalition has rejected it after alleging "systematic cheating" in vote counting. Here are some facts about the country, which became independent from Belgium in 1960. * THE COUNTRY GEOGRAPHY: Formerly known as Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa's third largest country, covering almost 2.3 million sq km (900,000 sq miles) -- nearly 80 times larger than former colonial master Belgium. RELIGION: Roman Catholic 41 to 50 percent, Protestant around 32 percent, Muslim 1.2 to 10 percent. Traditional African religions are widespread. * ECONOMY: -- The economy has shrunk dramatically since the 1980s. The war has severely reduced national output and government revenue and increased external debt. -- In 2004, GDP was $6.6 billion, annual GDP growth was 6.3 percent and inflation 5.9 percent. * RECENT HISTORY: -- Army chief Mobutu Sese Seko seized power in a 1965 coup and ruled until 1997, amassing a huge fortune by plundering Congo's vast resources. Laurent Kabila ousted Mobutu and changed the country's name from Zaire. Kabila was shot dead by one of his bodyguards in 2001 and replaced by his son Joseph. -- August 1998 - Rwanda and Uganda back a rebellion against President Laurent Kabila, a year after propelling him to power. The rebels make major gains. Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola send troops to help Kabila and halt rebels at the gates of Kinshasa. -- July 1999 - Six African governments involved in the war sign ceasefire deal in Zambian capital Lusaka. Rebels ignore it. -- Sept 2001 - Fighting breaks out between Rwandan-backed rebels and pro-government forces, and talks in October to launch the inter-Congolese dialogue in Addis Ababa collapse. -- December 2002 - Congo's warring factions sign peace deal in Pretoria after several abortive rounds of talks. The war cost nearly 4 million lives, mostly from hunger and disease. -- April 2, 2003 - Warring factions sign deal creating interim constitution and a transitional government. -- Dec. 18, 2005 - Referendum on a post-war constitution. -- July 30, 2006 - Presidential and parliamentary elections. -- Aug. 20, 2006 - Run-off between President Joseph Kabila and Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba is announced for Oct 29. Fighting between soldiers loyal to the two kills at least 30. -- Nov. 11, 2006 - Further fighting kills at least four. -- Nov. 15, 2006 - Provisional total results of runoff election give Kabila 58.05 percent of votes and Bemba 41.95 percent. Independent Electoral Commission declares Kabila the winner, subject to confirmation by the Supreme Court.
