| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Africa |
| Geographical Location |
1° 00' South Latitude
15° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
342,000 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator |
| Natural Resources |
Petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower |
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| Political Information |
 |
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| Country Name |
Republic of the Congo |
| Capital City |
Brazzaville |
| Government Type |
Republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha |
| Independence Day |
15 August 1960 (from France) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
3,039,126 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Congolese or Congo |
| Ethnic Groups |
Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%
note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997 |
| Religion |
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% |
| Languages |
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread) |
| Population Growth Rate |
1.31% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF);
note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States |
| Industries |
Petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes |
| Labor Force |
NA |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
NA |
| Agriculture Products |
Cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products |
| Export Commodities |
Petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds |
| Export Partners |
China 30.8%, US 18.2%, Taiwan 16.8%, South Korea 11.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.6% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs |
| Import Partners |
France 20.2%, China 6.6%, Italy 6.5%, India 4.8%, Belgium 4.7%, US 4.6% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
894 km |
| Highways |
12,800 km |
| Pipelines |
Gas 53 km; oil 646 km (2004) |
| Airports |
32 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+242 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.cg |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
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 installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO,
but ushered in a period of ethnic unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis.
The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers with significant potential for offshore development. |
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