Factual information on Republic of Congo

General information on Republic of Congo:

Republic of Congo became independent in 1960 from France. This country should not be confused with its larger neighbour the Democratic republic of Congo former Zaire.

After a 25 year Marxist regime a president was democtratically elected in 1992 but the Marxist regime was restored following the 1997 civil war based on ethnic conflicts.

Nevertheless, Republic of Congo is one of Africa's first petroleum producers with significant resources offshore.

Geographical information on Republic of Congo:

Republic of the Congo,

Geographical Position: Western Africa, along the Atlantic Ocean, between Gabon and Angola.

Map Ref Latitude & Longitude 1 degree 00’ South, 15 degrees 00’ East

Total Land & Sea Area: Total: 340,000 square kilometres Sea Area550 square kilometres land area: 340,000 square kilometres

Land boundaries: Total: 5,500 kilometres Border countries: Angola 200 kilometres , Cameroon 520 kilometres , Central African Republic 470 kilometres , Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,400 kilometres , Gabon 1,900 kilometres Coastal Length: 200 kilometres

Climatological information on Republic of Congo:

tropical; rainy season (from the month of March to the month of June); dry season (from the month of June to the month of October); permanent high temperatures and humidity; Country terrain: Plains along the coasts, basin in the South and in the north, plateau in the center. Highest & Lowest Elevations: Lowest elevation: Atlantic Ocean at mean sea level highest point: Mount Berongou 900 meters

Natural resources: Petroleum resources, timber and lumber, potash deposits, lead mining, zinc mining, uranium, copper mining, phosphates deposits, natural gas, hydro electrical power. Land use: arable land area: 0.8 percent permanent crops: 0.15 percent other: 99 percent (1998 estimate.) Irrigated land area: 15 square kilometres (1998 estimate.)

Natural hazards: seasonal flooding

Geographical information on Republic of Congo:

- Population: 2,955,000 Age structure: Under 15: 37 percent From 15 to 65: 60 percent Over 65: 3 percent Median age: Total: 20 years male: 19.5 years female: 20.5 years (2002) Population growth rate: 1.5 percent (2003 estimate.) Birth rate: 29.5 births per thousand population (2003 estimate.) Death rate: 14 deaths per thousand population (2003 estimate.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant per thousand population (2003 estimate.) total population: 0.99 male-to-female ratio(2003 estimate.) infant mortality rate: Total: 95 deaths per thousand live births female: 89.04 deaths per thousand live births (2003 estimate.) male: 101 deaths per thousand live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50 years male: 49 years female: 51 years (2003 estimate.) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (2003 estimate.)

Nationality: Congolese

Ethnicities: Kongo 50 percent, Sangha 20 percent, Teke 20 percent, M'Bochi 10 percent, Europeans and other 5 percent

Religious information on Republic of Congo: Christian 52 percent, animist 45 percent, Islam/Muslim faith 3 percent

Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba , many local dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over that can read and write total population: 85 percent male: 90 percent female: 80 percent (2003 estimate.) Government Congo, Republic of the Republic of the Congo Congo (Brazzaville) Government type: Republic Capital city: Brazzaville

Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1960) Constitution: constitution approved by referendum 20 January 2002 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law

Suffrage: All citizens eligible to vote from the age of 18 years

Executive branch: Head of State: President Head of government: President cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament: Senate and the National Assembly.

Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Economy of Republic of Congo:

Economy - information on Republic of Congo: The economy is a mix of agriculture and crafts. The industrial sector is manly based oil resource which became the major source of revenue for the government.

Consequently with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF economic reforms have been implemented and favoured by the return of the former Marxist leader in 1997.

Unfortunately they were stopped by armed conflict in December 1998 that brought economic and political unstability since then.

GDP - Gross Domestic Product: - $USD2 billion (2002 estimate.) GDP - Gross Domestic Product - growth rate: 0 percent (2002 estimate.) GDP - Gross Domestic Product - per capita: - $USD950 (2002 estimate.) GDP - Gross Domestic Product - composition by sector: agriculture: 10 percent industry: 50 percent services: 40 percent (2001 estimate.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4 percent (2002 estimate.)

Budget: incomes: $USD890 million spending: $USD990 million, (1997 estimate.)

Industries: Petroleum resources, cement, timber and lumber, fermentation, sugar cane exploitation, palm oil, detergent, flour, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 0 percent (2002 estimate.)

Agriculture - products:

Tapioca, sugar cane cane, cereals, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; wood products Exports: $USD2 billion (2002 estimate.)

Exports - commodities: petroleum resources, wood products, sugar cane, cocoa, coffee, diamonds Exports - partners: Taiwan 28 percent, South Korea 20 percent, China 9 percent, US 8.5 percent, Germany 6.5 percent, France 5 percent (2002) Imports: $USD700 million (2002 estimate.)

Imports - commodities: Capital equipment, construction materials, food processing Imports - partners: France 22 percent, Italy 8 percent, Belgium 6 percent, US 5 percent, India 4 percent (2002) Debt - external: $USD5 billion (2000 estimate.)

Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); Currency code: XAF

Communications in the Republic of the Congo:

Telephones: 22,000 (1998) Radio broadcast stations: Amplitude Modulation 1, Frequency Modulation 5, SW 3 (2001) Television stations: 1 (2002) Internet country code: .cg

Travel to the Republic of the Congo:

Railroad networks: Total: 900 kilometres Roading System: Total: 12,800 kilometres Pipelines: gas 55 kilometres ; oil 670 kilometres (2003)

Airports: 30 (2002)

Military information on Republic of Congo :

Military branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Gendarmerie, National Police Military spending: $USD85 million (Fiscal Year 01) Military spending: - percent of GDP - Gross Domestic Product: 3 percent

International Issues Disputes : Undefine boundary limit along the Congo River.

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Information sourced and adapted from the CIA Factbook

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