Congo, officially known as the Republic of the Congo, is a country located in central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean. The country has a population of approximately 5 million people and its capital and largest city is Brazzaville.

Congo has a diverse culture, with over 60 ethnic groups, each with their own customs and traditions. The official language is French, but many Congolese speak indigenous languages such as Lingala, Kikongo, and Tshiluba. The majority of the population is Christian, with a significant Muslim minority.

The Congolese economy is largely based on the export of natural resources, including oil, timber, and minerals. Oil is the country's main export and accounts for over 90% of its total exports. Agriculture is also an important industry, with crops including cassava, maize, and plantains.

Congo has faced political instability and conflict in recent years. The country has a history of coups and civil war, and while the situation has improved since the early 2000s, there are still tensions and occasional outbreaks of violence. The government has made efforts to promote peace and stability, but challenges remain.

Congo is home to a rich and diverse array of wildlife, including gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants. The country has several national parks and protected areas, including Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overall, Congo is a country with a rich cultural heritage and abundant natural resources, but it faces significant challenges in terms of political instability and economic development. With the support of the international community and its own efforts, Congo has the potential to overcome these challenges and achieve greater stability and prosperity for its people.

National holiday
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

Telephone Code
242

Local Emergency Phone
Local numbers only

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Republic of the Congo is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

Climate
Tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

Currency (Code)
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Central francs (Central African CFA franc, XAF)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E

Major Languages
French, French Lingala, Monokutuba, many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguist 1.5%

Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Brazzaville (includes St. Anne Basilica, National Museum of Congo); Lesio-Louna-Lefini Gorilla Reserve; Gorges of Diosso

Major Sports
Soccer, rugby, basketball

Cultural Practices
Beginning conversations by inquiring about health and family indicates respect, and precedes many conversations.

Tipping Guidelines
Tip 10% in restaurants. Guides and resort staff usually expect tips, but taxi drivers do not need to be tipped.

Souvenirs
Handmade beaded bracelets and precious metal jewelry, handwoven cloth, ebony tribal wood carvings, pottery and ceramic sculptures, woven baskets

Traditional Cuisine
Poulet à la moambe — a savory chicken dish made by combining chicken, spices, and palm butter to create a stew-like consistency

Geography
Area
total: 342,000 sq km
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km

Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

Natural resources
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

People and Society
Population
5,677,493 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Kongo 40.5%, Teke 16.9%, Mbochi 13.1%, foreigner 8.2%, Sangha 5.6%, Mbere/Mbeti/Kele 4.4%, Punu 4.3%, Pygmy 1.6%, Oubanguiens 1.6%, Duma 1.5%, Makaa 1.3%, other and unspecified 1% (2014-15 est.)

Languages
French (official), French Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Religions
Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguiste 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2007 est.)

Population growth rate
2.33% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Brazzaville

Economy
Economic overview
primarily an oil- and natural resources-based economy; recovery from mid-2010s oil devaluation has been slow and curtailed by COVID-19; extreme poverty increasing, particularly in southern rural regions; attempting to implement recommended CEMAC reforms; increasing likelihood of debt default

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$18.875 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$3,200 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
cassava, sugar cane, oil palm fruit, cassava leaves, bananas, plantains, roots/tubers, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas

Industries
petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

Exports
$4.67 billion (2020 est.)

Exports - partners
China 49%, United Arab Emirates 15%, India 6%, Italy 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, copper, lumber, ships, refined petroleum (2019)

Imports
$3.279 billion (2020 est.)

Imports - partners
China 15%, France 12%, Belgium 6%, Angola 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
ships, chicken products, refined petroleum, processed fish, packaged medicines (2019)