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The Republic of the Congo was first settled by the illusive Pygmies. They were followed by the Bakongo, Bateke and Sanga peoples in the mid-15th century.
Once the coastal areas were discovered and explored by the Portuguese, the natives (making friends quickly) began to cooperate with the Europeans, and soon, the slave trade flourished. In fact, the coastal area was a major source for the transatlantic slave trade.
Over many decades, an assortment of European traders searched for additional economic opportunities here, and then, in 1891, this resource-rich land was colonized by the French, and named the French Congo - later the Middle Congo.
Subsequently, the Congo's population suffered through forced labor, and the country's valuable rubber and ivory resources were exploited.
Independence from French control was achieved in 1960, however, over the decades that followed the Republic of the Congo suffered through Marxism, a bloody civil war, on-going political instability, and ethnic unrest.
The Republic of the Congo has significant underdeveloped economic potential, a poor infrastructure and inadequate health care. On the positive side, it's one of Africa's largest petroleum producers.
Its relatively sparse population is concentrated in the southwestern portion of the country, between the capital city of Brazzaville and the coastal city of Point Noire, leaving the vast areas of tropical jungle in the north virtually uninhabited. |
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- Official Name Republic of the Congo
- Population 3,702,314
- Capital City Brazzaville (1.3 million)
- Largest Cities Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, Loubomo,
Nkayi, Mossendjo
- Currency Africaine Franc (XAF)
- Currency Converter
- Languages French (official), and tribal dialects
- National Day 15 August; Independence Day
- Religions Christian, Animist, others
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- Land Area 341,500 sq km (131,853 sq miles)
- Highest Point Mt. Berongou (903 m) (2,963 ft)
- Lowest Point Atlantic Ocean (0 m) (0 ft)
- Land Divisions 9 regions and 1 commune*; including
Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux,
Pool and Sangha
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From the grasslands of the narrow coastal
plain, the land rise into the rounded, low hills of the Bateka Plateau, and the elevated, mountainous regions
along its western border with Gabon.
Mount Berongou, the Congo's highest point, is located in the upper reaches of the Crystal Mountains on the border with Gabon. It rises to about 903 meters (2,963 feet).
Further inland and to the northeast, the land flattens, all covered by a dense equatorial rainforest.
The Congo River is the longest river in the Congo, the second-longest river in Africa, and the sixth-longest river in the world, with a total length of about 4,700 km (2,920 mi).
The Stanley Pool is a lake formed by the widening of the Congo River. It lies between the borders of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It covers an area that is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) long and 23 kilometers (14 miles) wide.
The capital cities of both the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are located on the shores of Stanley Pool, and river ferries serve the area. |
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- Latitude/Longitude 4º 25'
S, 15º 26' E
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After years of instability and civil war, the Republic of the Congo is now a relatively secure country. The main cities of Brazzaville and Pointe Noire are now considered safe to travel to, but there is still sporadic rebel activity in the rural areas.
The Congo's main attractions are its tropical rainforest, and their amazing variety of animals including chimpanzees, lowland gorillas, elephants, hippopotamus, leopards and much, much more.
Points-of-interest for any visitor in the Congo include the coastal beaches near Pointe-Noire, cruising the Congo River and Odzala National Park.
Travel Recommendations Before finalizing and/or making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate and research all of the important details regarding applicable health, passport and visa requirements.
If you require additional assistance, the experienced professionals at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
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With its position on the Equator, the Congo is hot and humid throughout the year, with daily high temperatures
near 90º.
In addition, the equator region receives siginificant rainfall throughout the year.
In the south there is a rainy season from October to December, a short dry season in January, another rainy season from March to June, and a long dry season from June to October.
In the north, the seasons are reversed. Annual rainfall varies from 105 centimeters (41 inches) at Pointe-Noire in the southwest, to 185 centimeters (73 inches) at Impfondo in the northeast.
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A ferry on the Congo River...
A wild chimpanzee in the Congo...
An endangered White Rhino...
A rural town in the Congo... |
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