| Info Africa - THE REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO |
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The Republic of the Congo is in western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Cameroon and Gabon. This former French colony obtained its independence in 1960. Following independence, the new government experimented with Marxism and later turned to democracy in 1992. Years later, in 1997, the country faced a civil war and militia conflicts as a result of ethnic and political conflict. As Congo faces the aftermath of a civil war and poverty, it is rebuilding itself, following a peace agreement that was signed with the southern rebels in 2003. Congo is home to rich landscapes of falls, numerous virgin forests and an abundant wildlife. These
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| forests are home to many indigenous tribes who have maintained their traditional way of life. The capital city, Brazzaville, lies in the west side of the Malebo Pool on the River Congo. Some of Brazzaville’s fascinating sites include Basilique Sainte Anne, the vibrant suburb of Poto Poto, the Temple Mosque, the markets at Oluendze and Moungali, the National Museum and the Municipal Gardens. The population of Congo is mainly concentrated in the southwestern region of the country. In fact, Congo is known as one of the most urbanized countries on the African continent with 70% of its total population living in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire or along the railway that connects these two regions. |
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| CATEGORIES: Demographics - Quick Facts - Economy - Communications - Health Issues |
| Demographics |
| Country Flag: |
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Divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
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Nationality: Congolese
Capital: Brazzaville
Population: 3,702,314
(July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
- 0-14 years: 46.4%
- 15-64 years: 50.7%
- 65 years and over: 2.9% (2006 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.6% (2006 est.)
Literacy rate:
- ages 15 and above can read and write.
- 83.8% of the population is literate (male:
89.6%, female:
78.4%) (2003 est.)
Major religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (Kikongo is the most widespread) |
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| Quick Facts |
Area:
- total: 342,000 sq km
- land: 341,500 sq km
- water: 500 sq km
Area comparative to Canadian province: slightly smaller than the Yukon Territory
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Environmental Issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation |
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| Economy |
The economy of the Republic of the Congo is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts as well as an industrial sector that is largely based on oil, social services and a government that continues to face budget problems. Oil remains as the foundation of the economy. The early 1980s saw rising oil revenues, which enabled the government to engage in large-scale development projects, resulting in an average of 5% GDP growth annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. Unfortunately, there is a growing debt burden and revenue shortfalls in this economy, as a result of the government mortgaging a portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans. International organizations such as the World Bank and IMF have been assisting in economic reforms. This ended as a result of the civil war of 1997. Currently, the country faces difficult economic challenges. The Republic of the Congo may be eligible for an IMF-World Bank heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative in early 2006.
Major industries:
- petroleum extraction
- cement
- lumber
- brewing
- sugar
- palm oil
- soap
- flour
- cigarettes
Agricultural products:
- coffee
- cassava (tapioca)
- sugar
- rice
- corn
- peanuts
- vegetables
- cocoa
- forest products
Oil production: 267,100 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Railways: 894 km
Road map: 12,800 km (paved:
1,242 km, unpaved:
11,558 km)
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc |
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| Communications |
Telephone lines in use: 13,800 (2004)
Cellular lines in use: 383,700 (2004)
Television Stations: 1 (2002)
Radio Stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001)
Internet users: 36,000 (2005) |
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| Health Issues |
HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate:
4.9% (2003 est.)
People living with HIV/AIDS: 90,000 (2003 est.) |
| More Information |
For more informaiton, please visit:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cf.html
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