The Republic of the Congo, sometimes known as the Congo Republic or the Congo, is a Central African country with a short coastline on the Atlantic. It is bounded by Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cabinda, an enclave of Angola that is under dispute.
The Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the only two countries in the world named after the same river, which of course is the Congo River, which forms the border for a portion of the boundary between the two countries. The Ubangi River forms another portion of the border between the Congo Republic and the DRC.
The region was previously inhabited by pygmy people, a designation that could refer to the Aka, Efé, Mbuti, or the Twa, but they were displaced or subjugated by the Bantu.
Today, the Congo's population is concentrated in the southwest, leaving the large expanse of jungle in the north largely unpopulated. The forests were once the home of the pygmy people, but they have been evicted or not allowed to hunt on land that is now designated as national parks or heritage sites.
With roughly 70% of its population in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad that connects the two cities, the Congo is one of the most urbanized of the African countries.
Prior to the 1997 civil war, there are nearly ten thousand Europeans on the Congo, mostly French, but only a small number of these remain.
The first European contacts were in the late 1400s and, before long, the Bantus had a brisk business trading slaves captured in the interior. When the slave trade ended in the 1800s, the power of the Bantus diminished.
The French took control of the region in the 1880s and, by 1990 the entire region was a French protectorate. In 1908, the French created French Equatorial Africa, made up of what is now the Congo, Gabon, Chad, and the land that is now the Central African Republic. Brazzaville was its administrative center. The French exploited the area's natural resources, and used forced labor to build the Congo-Ocean Railway from 1924 to 1934.
During World War II, France ended its policies of forced labor and granted French citizenship to colonial subjects, as well as a degree of local autonomy. The Congo Republic became fully independent in 1960.
Its first president was overthrown in a coup three years after taking office, and all members of his government were removed from office, and many were arrested. Over the next several years, the Republic of the Congo has been through several coups and insurrections, including an invasion by Angolan troops, who provided assistance to coup leaders. President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who is currently in office, as of December of 2017, took office twice through a coup and was twice elected in controversial elections.
Although the Republic of the Congo has had a multi-party system since the early 1990s, it has been dominated by President Nguesso, whose government has been frequently accused of corruption, including the deaths of opposition members.
The Congo's economy consists of petroleum as its chief industrial export, but it also includes village agriculture, handicrafts, and support services. Although oil exports account for 65% of its gross domestic product, the government has borrowed more than it's bringing in, mortgaging its petroleum income. Congolese exports also include natural gas and diamonds, and its natural resources include gold, iron, and phosphate deposits that have not been exploited. Tourism is a marginal resource. Although the Congo contains much that might attract tourists, much of it is largely inaccessible to visitors, and travel advisories are discouraging.
The country's railroad system was constructed by forced laborers during the French colonial era, but remains operative. The Congo Republic also has two major international airports, more than six hundred miles of paved roads, and a large ocean port at Pointe-Noire, as well as other ports at Brazzaville and Impfondo.
The country's population are largely Bantu, Kongo being the largest ethnic subgroup, followed by the Laari, Teke, and Boulangui. Pygmies make up about 2% of the population today, and the Congolese Human Rights Observatory reports that the pygmies are held in a form of slavery to the Bantu, and treated much the same as pets.
Most of the country's population identify as Christian, with Islam claiming fewer than 2%. By edict, public education is free and mandatory for children under the age of sixteen. In practice, there are expenses that many cannot afford, and the government does not invest heavily in education. Nevertheless, nearly 80% of the country's population is literate, much higher among males than females. French is the language of its educational system, which does include a public university.
Recommended Resources
American International School of Brazzaville
AISB is an independent, non-sectarian, coeducational school in Brazzaville, Congo. Founded in 2012, AISB offers an American curriculum for students in pre-kindergarten through grade eleven. Its accreditation and affiliations, curriculum, mission, vision, and beliefs are set forth, along with its admissions policies, a faculty and staff directory, employment opportunities, and photo gallery.
http://www.aisbrazza.org/
The official website of the municipality of Brazzaville, Congo features a history and profile of the city, its coats of armor, boroughs, monuments and heritage sites, as well as its governmental structure, news articles, and announcements. Transportation options, river cruises, guest lodging facilities, restaurants, and arts and culture are highlighted, with a list of businesses and services.
http://www.brazzaville.cg/en
Situated in downtown Brazzaville, Congo, the hotel caters to business travelers and tourists, and offering guest accommodations, restaurants, lounges, free wireless Internet, satellite television, air-conditioned rooms, and taxi transportation to and from the airport, as well as other services and amenities. An overview of the hotel and its rooms is set forth, with photographs, maps, directions, and special offers.
http://www.ghscongo.com/
Located in downtown Brazzaville, within walking distance of the city’s main attractions, and a short drive to the Maya Maya Airport, the hotel caters to both corporate and leisure travel visitors to the Congo. Its rooms and suites are highlighted, with pictures and description, along with its features and amenities, on-site restaurant and bar, meeting facilities, activities, and contacts. Rooms may be reserved online.
http://www.mikhaelshotel.com/
A program of Global Outreach Missions in Buffalo, New York, Pioneer Christian Hospital is a 60-bed mission hospital in the Congo River Basin rainforest region, specifically Impfondo, the capital of the Likouala Region, on the banks of the Oubangui River, a tributary of the Congo. Its services are highlighted, along with an overview of 17-acre campus, its needs, and opportunities to contribute.
http://www.congohospital.org/
Search for Common Ground: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Registered as a non-profit charitable organization in the United States, SFCG uses a variety of tools to help end violent conflicts throughout the world. A discussion of the history and nature of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is presented and highlighted in video and its latest projects are discussed. Reports and evaluations are posted, and office hours and contacts are included.
https://www.sfcg.org/drc/
Located in Brazzaville, the capital city of Congo, Marien Ngouabi University is the only government-sponsored university in the Republic of the Congo. Its history, organization, schools, and a message from the rector are put forth, along with its academic programs, degrees, research projects, labs, and publications, community services, faculty, and staff. Office hours and contacts are included.
http://www.umng.cg/
US Embassy in the Republic of the Congo
Located in Brazzaville, the embassy represents the government of the United States to the people of the Republic of the Congo. Its site publishes news and announcements related to the relationship between the two countries, and an overview of the services the embassy may provide for American citizens in the Congo, as well as for Congolese citizens wanting to do business or study in the United States.
https://cg.usembassy.gov/
World Factbook: Congo, Republic of the
The United States Central Intelligence Agency presents a map showing the location of the Republic of the Congo and its most significant cities, as well as photographs, an image of its flag, and an overview of its government, geographical features, people, and culture. An analysis of the Congo’s economy, its energy resources, communications, and transportation infrastructure, military, and international relations are included.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cf.html
