Republic of the Congo

Central Africa

Republic of the Congo is a country in Central Africa, home to 6.1 million people, with an area of 342,000 km². Its capital is Brazzaville.

Capital: Brazzaville
Population: 6.1 million
Area: 342,000 km²
Region: Central Africa
Density: 17.8 / km²
Status: Sovereign state

Republic of the Congo · Central Africa · map loads on click

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

What Republic of the Congo is known for

Republic of the Congo is best known for Nouabalé, Odzala and Brazzaville.

The Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, is a country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon to the west, Cameroon to the northwest, the Central African Republic to the northeast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and the Angola exclave of Cabinda to the southwest.

Republic of the Congo at a glance

Language: French is the official language, but many Congolese also speak Lingala, Kikongo, and other local languages
Currency: Central African CFA franc
Religion: Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by Islam and traditional indigenous beliefs
National dish: Poulet Moambe (chicken in a spicy palm nut sauce served with rice or cassava)
Climate: Congo has a tropical climate with a rainy season from March to June and a dry season from July to November. The coastal areas are hot and humid throughout the year
Main industries: Oil production, forestry, and mining (iron, diamonds, and potash)
GDP: $8.1 billion (2019 estimate)
Development: Congo is considered a lower-middle-income country with a human development index (HDI) ranking of 176 out of 189 countries (2020)

Things to do in Republic of the Congo

Some of the main tourist attractions in Congo include:

Nouabalé Ndoki National Park: a national park in the north of the country that is home to lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants.
Odzala Kokoua National Park: a national park in the northwest of the country that is known for its rainforest, savannah, and wetlands.
Brazzaville the capital city of Congo, which offers a mix of modern and traditional African culture, including markets, museums, and colonial-era architecture.
Pointe Noire: the second-largest city in Congo and a major center for the country's oil industry.
Loufoulakari Falls a series of waterfalls on the Congo River near the town of Loukoléla.
Lesio Louna Natural Reserve: a protected area in the southeast of the country that is home to forest elephants, gorillas, and other wildlife.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that Congo has to offer. However, travelers should be aware that the security situation in some parts of the country can be volatile, and it is important to take precautions and follow local advice when traveling in Congo.

Republic of the Congo on video

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Republic of the Congo compared with its neighbours

How it sits against the other countries of Central Africa.

Country	Population	Area	Capital
Republic of the Congo	6.1 million	342,000 km²	Brazzaville
Central African Republic	5.7 million	622,984 km²	Bangui
Gabon	2.5 million	267,668 km²	Libreville
Equatorial Guinea	1.8 million	28,051 km²	Malabo