Republic of the Congo
Country Guide

Explore Republic of the Congo

Republic of the Congo with its capital Brazzaville is located in Africa (Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean). It covers some 342,001 square kilometers (slightly smaller than Montana) with 4,954,670 citizens. French, Kongo and Lingala are the common languages used in Republic of the Congo (consider regional differences). Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon are bordering countries.

The Republic of the Congo is in Central Africa. The country is also known as Congo-Brazzaville to distinguish it from its giant eastern neighbour, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa). Visas are not available on arrival, and showing up without one can cause many things you will want to avoid at all costs (fines, passport confiscation, etc.). It's safe to drive in the Republic of the Congo. Beyond Oyo, the roads get very bumpy and are totally impassable in the rain. It is also very hard to get a rental car you drive yourself. The Central African CFA Franc is the official local currency. The U.S. dollar is not widely accepted. Currently, the exchange rate is 530 CFA to the U.S. dollar, but fluctuates daily. All business is conducted in cash. Small change is very scarce and hard to come by. Do not accept torn or taped banknotes. In Brazzaville, petty street crime targeting foreigners is rare. However, muggings and pick pocketing do happen frequently near the ports in Pointe Noire and Brazzaville. The likelihood of getting malaria is very high if effective preventative medication is not taken. White travelers should take care while travelling in the Republic. Racial tension and discrimination is not uncommon here, so be safe and keep to yourself.

Popular Destinations in Republic of the Congo

Administrative regions of Republic of the Congo

• Bouenza Department
• Brazzavile Department
• Cuvette Department
• Cuvette-Ouest Department
• Kouilou Department
• Lekoumou Department
• Likouala
• Niari Region
• Plateaux Department
• Pointe-Noire Department
• Pool Department
• Sangha Department

About the country

The landscape is coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin. The average density of population is about 14 per km². The climate in Republic of the Congo can be described as tropicalrainy season (March to June), dry season (June to October), persistent high temperatures and humidity, particularly enervating climate astride the Equator. Potential threats by nature are seasonal flooding.

To reach someone Republic of the Congo dial +242 prior to a number. The local cellular networks are operated on 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 3G. Websites typically end with the top level domain ".cg". If you want to bring electric appliances (e.g. battery chaarger), keep in min the local 230 V - 50 Hz (plugs: C, E). The sign for the locally used currency Franc is XAF.

Divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence.

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.

Geography

Area
Total (World Rank: 65)	342,000	sq km
Land (World Rank: 63)	341,500	sq km
Water (World Rank: 121)	500	sq km
Forest (World Rank: 57)	29.30	%
Comparative	slightly smaller than Montana
Coastline
169
Landborder
5008
Elevation
Highest point (World Rank: 173)	903	m
Agricultural land
Total (World Rank: 134)	31.10	%
Arable (World Rank: 189)	1.60	%
Permanent crops (World Rank: 170)	0.20	%
Permanent pastures (World Rank: 57)	29.30	%
Irrigated land (World Rank: 164)	20	sq km
Map reference
Africa
Environment
Issues	- air pollution from vehicle emissions - deforestation - tap water is not potable - water pollution from raw sewage
Agreement party	- Biodiversity - Climate Change - Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol - Desertification - Endangered Species - Hazardous Wastes - Law of the Sea - Ozone Layer Protection - Ship Pollution - Tropical Timber 83 - Tropical Timber 94 - Wetlands
Hazzards	seasonal flooding
Location
Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain
coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

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People

Population
Total (World Rank: 122)	4,954,670
Deathrate (World Rank: 52)	0.95	%
Birthrate (World Rank: 22)	3.44	%
Growthrate (World Rank: 41)	2.11	%
Migration rate (World Rank: 146)	-0.38	%
Fertility rate (World Rank: 22)	4.59	%
Median age
Male (World Rank: 191)	19.50
Female (World Rank: 197)	19.80
Age structure
0 14 male (World Rank: 95)	1,041,760
0 14 female (World Rank: 95)	1,022,760
15 24 male (World Rank: 115)	424,521
15 24 female (World Rank: 114)	422,755
25 54 male (World Rank: 130)	843,856
25 54 female (World Rank: 127)	835,041
55 64 male (World Rank: 134)	106,776
55 64 female (World Rank: 137)	105,573
65 x male (World Rank: 138)	66,962
65 x female (World Rank: 138)	84,666
Health
Infant mortality rate (World Rank: 22)	5.49	%
Life expectancy total (World Rank: 203)	60	years
Life expectancy female (World Rank: 204)	61	years
Life expectancy male (World Rank: 200)	59	years
Physicians per 1000 (World Rank: 161)	0.11
Sanitation access total (World Rank: 201)	15.00	%
Obesity adult (World Rank: 142)	9.60	%
Drinking water access (World Rank: 168)	76.50	%

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Energy

Electricity
Production (World Rank: 141)	1,676,000,000	kWh
Consumption (World Rank: 156)	900,500,000	kWh
Export (World Rank: 89)	22,000,000	kWh
Import (World Rank: 108)	18,000,000	kWh
Source fossil (World Rank: 126)	61.70	%
Source nuclear (World Rank: 52)	38.30	%
Crude oil
Production (World Rank: 30)	308,400	bbl / day
Exports (World Rank: 28)	254,400	bbl / day
Proved reserves (World Rank: 39)	1,600,000,000	bbl
Refined products
Production (World Rank: 94)	16,530	bbl / day
Consumption (World Rank: 140)	18,000	bbl / day
Export (World Rank: 90)	6,058	bbl / day
Import (World Rank: 151)	6,821	bbl / day
Natural gas
Production (World Rank: 61)	1,500,000,000	m³
Consumption (World Rank: 81)	2,600,000,000	m³
Export (World Rank: 50)	39,000,000	m³
Carbon footprint
6500000

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Nation

Budget
Education (World Rank: 29)	6	% of GDP
Military (World Rank: 4)	7	% of GDP
Health (World Rank: 134)	5	% of GDP
Surplus (World Rank: 207)	-18	% of GDP
National symbol
lion
National colours
yellow
Adjective
Congolese or Congo
Noun
Congolese (singular and plural)
Background
Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.
Flag description
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence

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Economy

Gdp
Purchasing power parity (World Rank: 131)	29,740,000,000	USD
Real growth rate (World Rank: 204)	-2.80	%
Per capita purchasing power parity (World Rank: 152)	7,000	USD
Source agriculture (World Rank: 98)	8.70	%
Source industry (World Rank: 9)	50.20	%
Source service (World Rank: 203)	41.10	%
Labourforce
Total (World Rank: 123)	2,055,000
In poverty (World Rank: 26)	46.50	%
Products
Industries	- brewing - cement - cigarettes - flour - lumber - palm oil - petroleum extraction - soap - sugar
Agriculture	- cassava - cocoa - coffee - corn - forest products - manioc - peanuts - rice - sugar - tapioca - vegetables
Exports	- cocoa - coffee - diamonds - lumber - petroleum - plywood - sugar
Imports	- capital equipment - construction materials - foodstuffs

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Communication

Phone
Landline total (World Rank: 181)	17,000
Landline per 100 (World Rank: 198)	1.00
Mobile per 100 (World Rank: 109)	110.00
Assessment	0
Internet
Users (World Rank: 153)	362,000
Population (World Rank: 213)	7.60	%

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Transport

Air
Airports paved (World Rank: 128)	8.00
Airports unpaved (World Rank: 108)	19.00
Rail
Total length (World Rank: 113)	510
Road
Total length (World Rank: 120)	17,000
Paved length (World Rank: 137)	1,212
Unpaved length (World Rank: 71)	15,788
Water
Total length (World Rank: 63)	1,120

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