Country guide - Congo ( Republic of the)  

 
 

Introduction: The Congo is situated in west-central Africa along side the equator. It borders Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Angola exclave of Cabinda, with a short stretch of coast on the South Atlantic. Most of the inland is tropical rain forest.

Official Name: Republic of Congo
Area: 342,000 sq km (132,046 sq miles)
Population: 2,954,000
Continent: Africa
Density per square mile: 22
Capital City: Brazzaville
Religions: 54% Roman Catholic, 25% Protestant, 14% African Christian, 5% follow local native tribal beliefs and the remainder are Muslims.

Language: French - official language, used for trade and official purposes. Each ethnic group has its own tribal language of which Kikongo has the most users.
Government: Republic

Currency: CFA Franc (Communaute Financiere Africaine-CFAF)
GDP: $2.5 billion
GDP Per Head: $900

Natural Resources: Copper, natural gas, petroleum, lead, timber, potash, zinc, uranium & phosphates.
Land Use: Arable Land 1%
Agriculture: Cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa & timber.
Industry: Petroleum extraction, lumber & other wood products, brewing, sugar, palm oil & soap.

Tourism: The British Foreign & Commonwealth office state the following:- 'We advise against all holiday and other non-essential travel to the Republic of the Congo outside the main cities of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. For essential travel in the Republic of Congo, all visitors should take sensible precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places'.

Natural Hazards:
Health Risks: Ebola, water-borne diseases, malaria, HIV/AIDS.

Climate: The Congo has a tropical climate characterised by high temperatures with humidity around 80% and little variation throughout the year. The wet season is between April and late October while the dry season is from November to March. Violent winds are common in the wet season. Average annual rainfall varies from 49 to 69 inches while it is heaviest in the north and decreases towards the Atlantic Coast in the south. Average temperature ranges in Brazzavile are from 17 to 28 degrees Celsius in July to 23 to 33 degrees Celsius in April.

Time: GMT/UTC +1 hour
National Days: August 15

Visas: Visas are required to visit the Republic of Congo. Advice on visas, can be obtained from the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Congo.You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country.

British Embassy Details

 

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