Nov 27 (Reuters) - Congo's Supreme Court on Monday declared Joseph Kabila president, confirming his victory in an Oct. 29 run-off vote and rejecting a challenge by rival Jean-Pierre Bemba. The electoral commission had announced last week that Kabila won the election, taking 58.05 percent of the votes against 41.95 percent for Bemba. 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 about 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. 27, 2006 - The Supreme Court rejects challenge filed by former rebel chief Jean-Pierre Bemba against results showing Joseph Kabila had won the October election.
