The Republic of the Congo is a country in Central Africa, straddling the equator and bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its vast tropical rainforests, which form part of the Congo Basin, one of the world's largest river systems. The country has significant oil reserves and is also recognized for its rich cultural traditions in music, dance, and art.
- Capital
- Brazzaville
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Middle Africa
- Area
- 342,000 km²
- Coordinates
- 1° S, 15° E
Country facts
- The Congo River, which forms much of the country's eastern border, is the deepest river in the world.
- The Republic of the Congo was a French colony known as Middle Congo before gaining independence in 1960.
- French is the official language, but Lingala and Kituba are widely spoken as national languages.
- The country is home to western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, and other endangered wildlife living in its dense rainforests.
- Congolese rumba, a vibrant musical style, has deeply influenced popular music across Central Africa.
Capital facts
- Brazzaville was founded in 1880 by French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, after whom both the city and the country are named.
- It sits directly across the Congo River from Kinshasa, making them the closest pair of capital cities in the world.
- The Basilique Sainte-Anne du Congo, built in the 1940s, is one of the most striking landmarks in the city.
- Brazzaville served as the symbolic capital of Free France during World War II after Charles de Gaulle based operations there.
- The city is a major hub for Congolese music and art, with a lively cultural scene centered around the Poto-Poto neighborhood.