Oct 29 (Reuters) - Sunday's run-off election in Democratic Republic of Congo is intended to crown a peace process and transition that ended a 1998-2003 war.

The conflict created a humanitarian crisis that has killed 4 million people, mostly from hunger and disease, and still kills an estimated 1,200 every day mainly in the east, where armed militias and rebel groups still rape and pillage. Here are some facts about the DRC, 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 deteriorated dramatically since the 1980s. The war that began in 1998 severely reduced national output and government revenue while increasing 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 personal 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 - Rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda take up arms against President Laurent Kabila, just over a year after the same two countries propelled 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.

-- Dec 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 leading to democratic elections.

-- Dec 18, 2005 - Congo holds a 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. Three days of fighting between soldiers loyal to the two candidates leaves at least 30 people dead.

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