World Country Guide

General Information

Area
342,000 sq km (132,047 sq miles).

Population
3,633,000 (UN estimate 2002).

Population Density
10.6 per sq km.

Capital
Brazzaville. Population: 856,410 (1996).

Geography
Congo is situated in Africa, bordered to the north by Cameroon and the Central African Republic, to the south and east by the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the southwest by the Atlantic, and to the west by Gabon. The Cabinda Enclave, belonging to Angola, lies to the southwest, on the Atlantic coast. Vast areas are swamps, grassland or thick forests with rivers being virtually the only means of internal travel. The vast River Congo and its major tributaries form most of the country’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, drawing much of its water from the swamplands in the north of the country. The narrow sandy coastal plain is broken by lagoons, behind which rise the Mayombe Mountains. Most of the population lives in the south of the country.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State and Government: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso since 1997.

Language
The official language is French. Other major languages are Lingala, Munukutuba and Kikongo. English is spoken very little.

Religion
The majority follow animist belief systems (50 per cent), with most of the remainder being Christians (mainly Roman Catholic). There are small Protestant and Muslim minorities.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications

Telephone
IDD service is available in major cities only. Country code: 242. Outgoing international code: 00. Links with Western Europe are generally poor.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 networks are operated by CelTel Congo (website: www.msi-cellular.com) or Libertis Telecom. Coverage is mainly limited to Brazzaville and Pointe Noire.

Fax
Large hotels may be able to provide services.

Internet
ISPs include Africances and Congonet . Facilities are available at hotels.

Telegram
Services are available in cities at the main post offices and some hotels.

Post
There is an unreliable internal service. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730/0800-1200 and 1430-1730; and (for stamps and telegrams) Mon-Sat 0800-2000; Sun and public holidays 0800-1200.

Press
Daily papers, which are all published in French, include ACI Actualit, Aujourd’hui and Mweti Journal de Brazzaville.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.