Republic of the Congo: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Country in Central Africa}} |
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{{distinguish2|the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]; see also the disambiguation page [[Congo]]}} |
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{{About|the smaller country|the larger country|Democratic Republic of the Congo|entities with similar names|Republic of the Congo (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Infobox Country |
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{{pp-move|small=yes}} |
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|native_name = ''République du Congo'' <small>{{fr icon}}</small><br />''Repubilika ya Kongo'' <small>([[Kituba]])</small><br />''Republiki ya Kongó'' <small>([[Lingala]])</small> |
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{{use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} |
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|conventional_long_name = Republic of the Congo |
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{{Infobox country |
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|common_name = the Republic of the Congo |
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| conventional_long_name = Republic of the Congo |
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| native_name = {{Plainlist| |
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|image_coat = Congo rep coa.png |
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* {{native name|fr|République du Congo|fontsize=100%}} |
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|national_motto = Unité, Travail, Progrès{{nbsp|2}}<small>{{fr icon}}</small><br /><small>"Unity, Work, Progress"</small> |
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* {{native name|ln|Republíki ya Kongó|fontsize=100%}} |
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|image_map = LocationRCongo.PNG |
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* {{native name|mkw|Repubilika ya Kôngo|fontsize=100%}} |
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|national_anthem = [[La Congolaise]] |
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|official_languages = [[French language|French]] |
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|regional_languages = [[Kongo language|Kongo]]/[[Kituba language|Kituba]], [[Lingala language|Lingala]] |
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|demonym = Congolese |
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|capital = [[Brazzaville]] |
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|latd=4 |latm=14 |latNS=S |longd=15 |longm=14 |longEW=E |
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|largest_city = Brazzaville |
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|government_type = [[Republic]] |
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|leader_title1 = [[President of the Republic of the Congo|President]] |
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|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo|Prime Minister]] |
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|leader_name1 = [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]] |
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|leader_name2 = [[Isidore Mvouba]] |
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|area_km2 = 342,000 |
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|area_sq_mi = 132,047 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |
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|area_rank = 64th |
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|area_magnitude = 1 E11 |
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|percent_water = 3.3 |
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|population_estimate = 3,999,000 |
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|population_estimate_year = 2005 |
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|population_estimate_rank = 128th |
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|population_census = n/a |
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|population_density_km2 = 12 |
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|population_density_sq_mi = 31 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |
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|population_density_rank = 204th |
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|GDP_PPP_year = 2007 |
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|GDP_PPP = $13.240 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=634&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=49&pr.y=5 |title=Republic of the Congo|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=2008-10-09}}</ref> |
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $3,732<ref name=imf2/> |
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|GDP_nominal = $7.657 billion<ref name=imf2/> |
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|GDP_nominal_year = 2007 |
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $2,158<ref name=imf2/> |
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|HDI_year = 2007 |
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|HDI = {{increase}} 0.547 |
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|HDI_rank = 139th |
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|HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font> |
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|FSI = 93.0 |
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|FSI_year = 2007 |
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|FSI_rank = 26th |
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|FSI_category = Alert |
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|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |
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|sovereignty_note = from [[France]] |
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|established_event1 = Date |
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|established_date1 = August 15, 1960 |
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|currency = [[Central African CFA franc]] |
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|currency_code = XAF |
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|time_zone = [[West Africa Time|WAT]] |
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|cctld = [[.cg]] |
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|calling_code = 242 |
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}} |
}} |
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| common_name = Congo |
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| image_flag = Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg |
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| flag_type = [[Flag of the Republic of the Congo|Flag]] |
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| image_coat = Coat of arms of the Republic of the Congo.svg |
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| symbol_type = [[Coat of arms of the Republic of the Congo|Coat of arms]] |
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| national_motto = {{native phrase|fr|"Unité, Travail, Progrès"|italics=off|nolink=on}}<br />({{Langx|en|"Unity, Work, Progress"}}) |
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| image_map = {{Switcher|[[File:Republic of the Congo (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Location Republic of the Congo AU Africa.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Africa|default=1}} |
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| map_caption = |
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| national_anthem = {{native name|fr|"[[La Congolaise]]"|italic=no|nolink=on}}<br />{{native name|kg|Besi Kôngo}}<br />({{Langx|en|"The Congolese"}})<div style="padding-top:0.5em;">{{center|[[File:National anthem of the Republic of the Congo.oga|center]]}}</div> |
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| official_languages = [[French language|French]]<ref name=Digitheque >{{cite web |url=https://mjp.univ-perp.fr/constit/cg2015.htm |language=fr |title=Constitution de 2015 |work=Digithèque matériaux juridiques et politiques, Jean-Pierre Maury, Université de Perpignan |access-date=2 January 2021 |archive-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313042001/http://mjp.univ-perp.fr/constit/cg2015.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| national_languages = {{hlist|[[Kituba language|Kituba]]|[[Lingala]]}} |
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| demonym = {{plainlist| |
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* [[Demographics of the Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] |
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* [[Demographics of the Republic of the Congo|Congo]]<ref name="CIAWFB" /> |
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}} |
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| ethnic_groups = |
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| capital = [[Brazzaville]] |
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| coordinates = {{Coord|4|16|S|15|17|E|type:city}} |
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| largest_city = capital |
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| government_type = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[republic]] under a [[Dominant-party system|dominant-party]] [[authoritarian]] state<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tampa |first=Vava |date=2021-04-10 |title=Sassou rules like an emperor while Congolese die from extreme poverty |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/10/denis-sassou-nguesso-rules-like-an-emperor-while-congolese-die-from-extreme-poverty-congo-brazzaville |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Elections in Congo-Brazzaville |url=https://www.dw.com/en/sassou-nguesso-clings-to-power-in-congo-brazzaville/a-19127711 |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=DW |date=2016-03-18 |language=en |archive-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104170339/https://www.dw.com/en/sassou-nguesso-clings-to-power-in-congo-brazzaville/a-19127711 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-23 |title=Congo Brazzaville's Sassou Nguesso re-elected with more than 88% of vote, early results show |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20210323-congo-brazzaville-s-sassou-nguesso-re-elected-with-more-than-88-of-vote-early-results-show |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Clark |first=John Frank |title=The failure of democracy in the Republic of Congo |date=2008 |publisher=L. Rienner |isbn=978-1-58826-555-5 |location=Boulder (Colo.)}}</ref> |
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| leader_title1 = [[President of the Republic of the Congo|President]] |
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| leader_name1 = [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]] |
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| leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo|Prime Minister]] |
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| leader_name2 = [[Anatole Collinet Makosso]] |
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| legislature = [[Parliament of the Republic of the Congo|Parliament]] |
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| upper_house = [[Senate (Republic of the Congo)|Senate]] |
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| lower_house = [[National Assembly (Republic of the Congo)|National Assembly]] |
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| area_km2 = 342,000 |
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| area_sq_mi = 132,047 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |
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| area_rank = 64th <!-- Should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] --> |
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| percent_water = 3.3 |
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| population_estimate = 6,228,784<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congo Population (2024) - Worldometer |url=https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/congo-population/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=www.worldometers.info |language=en}}</ref> |
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| population_census = 6,142,180<ref>{{Cite web |last=BOKOLO |first=Guilesse |date=2024-01-08 |title=RESULTATS PRELIMINAIRES |url=https://ins-congo.cg/download/resultats-preliminaires/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=INS-CONGO BRAZZAVILLE |language=fr-FR}}</ref> |
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| population_estimate_year = 2023 |
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| population_estimate_rank = 116th |
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| population_census_year = 2023 |
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| population_density_km2 = 17.96 |
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| population_density_sq_mi = 46.52 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |
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| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $27.994 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.CG">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=634,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Congo) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=17 October 2023 |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518175028/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=634,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| GDP_PPP_year = 2023 |
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| GDP_PPP_rank = 150th |
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| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $5,552<ref name="IMFWEO.CG" /> |
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| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 149th |
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| GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $14.407 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.CG" /> |
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| GDP_nominal_year = 2023 |
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| GDP_nominal_rank = 142nd |
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| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $2,857<ref name="IMFWEO.CG" /> |
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| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 138th |
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| Gini_year = 2011 |
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| Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady--> |
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| Gini = 40.2 <!--number only--> |
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| Gini_ref =<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI/|title=GINI index|publisher=World Bank|access-date=12 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209003326/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI|archive-date=9 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| HDI_year = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year--> |
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| HDI_change = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady--> |
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| HDI = 0.593 <!--number only--> |
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| HDI_ref =<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2024 |title=HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2023-24 |url=http://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf |website=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |publisher=United Nations Development Programme |pages=274–277 |language=en |access-date=3 May 2024 |archive-date=1 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501075007/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| HDI_rank = 149th |
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| sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |
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| established_event1 = Republic established |
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| established_date1 = 28 November 1958 |
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| established_event2 = from France |
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| established_date2 = 15 August 1960 |
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| currency = [[Central African CFA franc]] |
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| currency_code = XAF |
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| time_zone = [[West Africa Time|WAT]] |
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| utc_offset = +1 |
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| date_format = dd/mm/yyyy |
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| drives_on = right |
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| calling_code = [[+242]] |
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| iso3166code = CG |
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| cctld = [[.cg]] |
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| religion = {{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap; |
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|87.1% [[Christianity]] |
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|8.0% [[Irreligion|no religion]] |
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|2.7% [[African Traditional Religion|traditional faiths]] |
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|1.2% [[Islam]] |
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|1.0% others |
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}} |
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| religion_year = 2020 |
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| religion_ref =<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/republic-of-the-congo#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016 | title=Religions in Republic of the Congo | PEW-GRF | access-date=8 October 2022 | archive-date=10 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010060035/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/republic-of-the-congo#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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}} |
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The '''Republic of the Congo''',{{efn|{{langx|fr|République du Congo}}, {{langx|ln|Republíki ya Kongó}}}} also known as '''Congo-Brazzaville''', the '''Congo Republic''' or simply either '''Congo''' or '''the Congo''', is a country located on the western coast of [[Central Africa]] to the west of the [[Congo River]]. It is bordered to the west by [[Gabon]], to the northwest by [[Cameroon]], to the northeast by the [[Central African Republic]], to the southeast by the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], to the south by the [[Angola]]n [[exclave]] of [[Cabinda Province|Cabinda]], and to the southwest by the Atlantic Ocean. |
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The region was dominated by [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]]-speaking tribes at least 3,000 years ago, who built trade links leading into the [[Congo River]] basin. From the 13th century the present day territory was dominated by a confederation led by [[Vungu]] which included [[Kakongo]] and [[Ngoyo]]. [[Kingdom of Loango|Loango]] emerged in the 16th century. In the late 19th century France colonised the region and incorporated it into [[French Equatorial Africa]].<ref name="CIAWFB">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/congo-republic-of-the/ |title=Congo, Republic of the |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |work=[[The World Factbook]] |access-date=14 October 2024 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109222956/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/congo-republic-of-the |url-status=live}}</ref> The Republic of the Congo was established on 28 November 1958 and gained independence from France in 1960. It was a [[Marxist–Leninist state]] from 1969 to 1992, under the name [[People's Republic of the Congo]] (PRC). The country has had multi-party elections since 1992, but a democratically elected government was ousted in the 1997 [[Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997–99)|Republic of the Congo Civil War]]. President [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]], who first came to power in 1979, ruled until 1992 and then again since after his reinstatement. |
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The Republic of the Congo is a member of the [[African Union]], the [[United Nations]], [[La Francophonie]], the [[Economic Community of Central African States]], and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. It is the fourth-largest [[oil producer]] in the [[Gulf of Guinea]], providing the country a degree of prosperity, with political and economic instability in some areas and unequal distribution of oil revenue nationwide. [[Economy of the Republic of the Congo|Its economy]] is dependent on the oil sector<ref name="2018_nzaou_kongo">{{cite book|last1=Nzaou-Kongo|first1=Aubin|title=Exploitation des hydrocarbures et protection de l'environnement en République du Congo : essai sur la complexité de leurs rapports à la lumière du droit international.|date=2018|url=https://www.idref.fr/229819249|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509074904/https://www.idref.fr/229819249|url-status=live}}</ref> and economic growth has slowed since [[2010s oil glut|the post-2015 drop in oil prices]]. |
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[[Christianity]] is the most widely professed faith in the country. According to the 2024 rendition of the [[World Happiness Report]], the Republic of the Congo is ranked 89th among 140 nations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=World Happiness Report 2024: Most comprehensive picture yet of happiness across generations |url=https://worldhappiness.report/news/world-happiness-report-2024-most-comprehensive-picture-yet-of-happiness-across-generations/#:~:text=Afghanistan%20remains%20bottom%20of%20the,widely%20from%20the%20overall%20rankings |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=worldhappiness.report |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Etymology== |
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{{further|Congo River|Kongo people}} |
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It is named after the [[Congo River]] whose name is derived from [[Kingdom of Kongo|Kongo]], a [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] kingdom which occupied its mouth around the time the [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portuguese]] first arrived in 1483<ref>Gates, Louis & Appiah, Anthony. ''Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience'', p. 1105. 1999.</ref> or 1484.<ref>Olson, James S. & Shadle, Robert. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=uyqepNdgUWkC&pg=PA225 Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502165932/https://books.google.com/books?id=uyqepNdgUWkC&pg=PA225 |date=2 May 2016 }}'', p. 225. Greenwood Publishing Grp., 1991. {{ISBN|0-313-26257-8}}.</ref> The kingdom's name derived from its people, the [[Bakongo]], an [[Endonym and exonym|endonym]] said to mean "hunters" ({{langx|kg|mukongo}}, ''nkongo'').<ref>Bentley, Wm. Holman. ''Pioneering on the Congo''. Fleming H. Revell Co., 1900.{{Verify source|date=October 2011}}</ref> |
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During the period when France colonised it, it was known as the ''[[French Congo]]'' or ''Middle Congo''. The '''Republic of the Congo''', or simply '''Congo''',<ref name="CIAWFB" /> is a distinct country from the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], also known as '''DR Congo'''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-05-04 |title=DR Congo country profile |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13283212 |access-date=2024-08-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Brazzaville]]'s name derives from the colony's founder, [[Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza|Pierre Savorgnan de Brazzà]], an Italian nobleman whose title referred to the town of Brazzacco, in the [[Italy|Italian]] [[comune]] of [[Moruzzo]] in [[Friuli Venezia Giulia]], whose name derived from the [[Latin language|Latin]] ''Brattius'' or ''Braccius'', both meaning literally "[[arm]]".<ref>Frau, Giovanni ''Dizionario Toponomastico Friuli-Venezia Giulia''. Istituto per l'Enciclopedia del Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1978.</ref> |
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The '''Republic of the Congo''' ({{lang-fr|République du Congo}}; [[Kongo language|Kongo]]: ''Repubilika ya Kongo''; [[Lingala]]: ''Republiki ya Kongó''), also known as '''Congo-Brazzaville''' or the '''Congo''', is a [[country]] in [[Central Africa]]. It is bordered by [[Gabon]], [[Cameroon]], the [[Central African Republic]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], the [[Angola]]n [[exclave]] province of [[Cabinda (province)|Cabinda]], and the [[Gulf of Guinea]]. |
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The [[republic]] is a former [[France|French]] [[colony]]. Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. Congo became a [[multi-party democracy]] in 1992. However, a brief civil war in 1997 ended in the restoration of former President [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]] to power. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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{{main|History of the Republic of the Congo}} |
{{main|History of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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{{See also|Loango slavery harbour}} |
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The earliest inhabitants of the region were [[Pygmy]] peoples, who later were largely displaced and absorbed by [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] tribes during the [[Bantu peoples#Bantu expansion|Bantu expansions]]. The Bakongo are a Bantu ethnicity that also occupied parts of present-day [[Angola]], [[Gabon]], and [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], forming the basis for ethnic affinities and rivalries among those countries. Several Bantu kingdoms—notably those of the [[Kongo Empire|Kongo]], the [[Kingdom of Loango|Loango]], and the [[Teke]]—built trade links leading into the [[Congo River]] basin. |
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[[Bantu peoples|Bantu-speaking peoples]], who founded tribes during the [[Bantu expansion]]s, mostly displaced and absorbed the earlier inhabitants of the region, the [[African Pygmies|Pygmy]] people, about 1500{{nbsp}}BC. The [[Bakongo]], a Bantu ethnic group that occupied parts of what later became Angola, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formed the basis for ethnic affinities and rivalries among those countries. |
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The inhabitants of the [[Congo river]] delta first came into contact with Europeans in the late 15th century with [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese expeditions]] charting the African coastline. Commercial relationships were quickly established between the inland Bantu kingdoms and European merchants who traded various commodities, manufactured goods, and slaves captured from the hinterlands. For centuries, Congo river delta was a major commercial hub for transatlantic trade. However, when direct European colonization of the African continent began in the late 19th century, the power of the Bantu societies in the region eroded{{Fact|date=October 2008}}.<!-- Doubtlessly an issue of POV, the whole History section needs the attention of someone with more familiarity--> |
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By the 13th century, there were three main confederations of states in the western Congo Basin. In the east were the [[Seven Kingdoms of Kongo dia Nlaza]], considered to be the oldest and most powerful, which likely included [[Nsundi]], [[Mbata Kingdom|Mbata]], [[Mpangu]], and possibly [[Kundi kingdom|Kundi]] and [[Okanga]]. South of these was [[Mpemba]] which stretched from modern-day [[Angola]] to the [[Congo River]]. It included various kingdoms such as [[Mpemba Kasi]] and [[Vunda]]. To its west across the [[Congo River]] was a confederation of three small states; [[Vungu]] (its leader), [[Kakongo]], and [[Ngoyo]].<ref>{{Citation |title=The Development of States in West Central Africa to 1540 |date=2020 |work=A History of West Central Africa to 1850 |pages=16–55 |editor-last=Thornton |editor-first=John K. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/history-of-west-central-africa-to-1850/development-of-states-in-west-central-africa-to-1540/CE71122CF8DFD7B4B188BA34F8F65BFC |access-date=2024-09-21 |series=New Approaches to African History |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-56593-7}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=24–25}} Some Bantu kingdoms—including those of the [[Kongo Empire|Kongo]], the [[Kingdom of Loango|Loango]], and the [[Kingdom of Anziku|Teke]]—built trade links leading into the [[Congo Basin]].<ref name="dos2009">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2825.htm|title=Background Note: Republic of the Congo|publisher=Department of State|date=March 2009|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-date=14 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714082702/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2825.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Following independence as the Congo Republic on August 15, 1960, [[Fulbert Youlou]] ruled as the country's first president until labour elements and rival political parties instigated a three-day uprising that ousted him. The Congolese military took charge of the country briefly and installed a civilian provisional government headed by [[Alphonse Massamba-Débat]]. |
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The [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portuguese]] [[explorer]], [[Diogo Cão]] reached the mouth of the Congo in 1484.<ref name="DicImp"/> Commercial relationships grew between the inland Bantu kingdoms and European merchants who traded in commodities, manufactured goods, and people captured and enslaved in the [[hinterland]]s. After centuries as a central hub for transatlantic trade, direct European colonization of the Congo River delta began in the 19th century, subsequently eroding the power of the Bantu societies in the region.<ref>Boxer, C. R. ''The Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 1415–1825'', A. A. Knopf, 1969, {{ISBN|0090979400}}</ref> |
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Under the 1963 constitution, Massamba-Débat was elected President for a five-year term but it was ended abruptly with an August 1968 [[coup d'état]]. Capt. [[Marien Ngouabi]], who had participated in the coup, assumed the presidency on December 31, 1968. One year later, President Ngouabi proclaimed Congo to be Africa's first "people's republic" and announced the decision of the National Revolutionary Movement to change its name to the Congolese Labour Party (PCT). On March 16, 1977, President Ngouabi was assassinated. An 11-member Military Committee of the Party (CMP) was named to head an interim government with Col. (later Gen.) [[Joachim Yhombi-Opango]] to serve as President of the Republic. |
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[[File:Court of Loango.png|thumb|The court of [[N'Gangue M'voumbe Niambi]], from the book ''Description of Africa'' (1668)]] |
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After decades of turbulent politics bolstered by [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninist]] rhetoric, and with the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], Congo completed a transition to [[multi-party]] democracy with elections in August 1992. [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]] conceded defeat and Congo's new president, Prof. [[Pascal Lissouba]], was inaugurated on August 31, 1992. |
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The area north of the Congo River came under French sovereignty in 1880 as a result of [[Pierre de Brazza]]'s treaty with King Makoko<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2752833.stm|title=BBC NEWS – Africa – The man who would be Congo's king|date=12 February 2003|access-date=29 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129212544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2752833.stm|archive-date=29 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> of the [[Bateke]].<ref name="DicImp">Olson, James S. & Shadle, Robert. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=uyqepNdgUWkC&pg=PA225 Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502165932/https://books.google.com/books?id=uyqepNdgUWkC&pg=PA225 |date=2 May 2016 }}'', p. 225. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1991. {{ISBN|0-313-26257-8}}. Accessed 9 October 2011.</ref> After the death of Makoko, his widow Queen [[Ngalifourou]] upheld the terms of the treaty and became an ally to the colonizers.<ref>{{Citation|last=jeremy|first=rich|editor1-first=Emmanuel K|editor1-last=Akyeampong|editor2-first=Henry Louis|editor2-last=Gates|title=Ngalifourou|date=2012|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001/acref-9780195382075-e-1533|work=Dictionary of African Biography|publisher=Oxford University Press|language=en|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001|isbn=978-0-19-538207-5|access-date=2021-01-16|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122130300/https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001/acref-9780195382075-e-1533|url-status=live}}</ref> This Congo Colony became known first as [[French Congo]], then as Middle Congo in 1903. |
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However, Congo's democratic progress was derailed in 1997. As presidential elections scheduled for July 1997 approached, tensions between the Lissouba and Sassou camps mounted. On June 5, President Lissouba's government forces surrounded Sassou's compound in Brazzaville and Sassou ordered members of his private militia (known as "Cobras") to resist. Thus began a four-month conflict that destroyed or damaged much of Brazzaville and caused tens of thousands of civilian deaths. In early October, [[Angola]]n troops invaded Congo on the side of Sassou and, in mid-October, the Lissouba government fell. Soon thereafter, Sassou declared himself President. The [[Congo (Brazzaville) Civil War|Congo Civil War]] continued for another year and a half until a peace deal was struck between the various factions in December 1999. The National Expansionary Growth Regional Operation was signed with representatives of Democratic and Patriotic Forces to end the conflict and work on rebuilding the heavily damaged infrastructure. |
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In 1908, France organized [[French Equatorial Africa]] (AEF), comprising the Middle Congo, [[French Gabon|Gabon]], [[French Chad|Chad]], and [[Oubangui-Chari]] (which later became the [[Central African Republic]]). The French designated [[Brazzaville]] as the federal capital. Economic development during the first 50 years of colonial rule in Congo centered on natural resource extraction. Construction of the [[Congo–Ocean Railway]] following [[World War I]] has been estimated to have cost at least 14,000 lives.<ref name="DicImp"/> |
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Sham elections in 2002 saw Sassou win with almost 10% of the vote cast. His two main rivals Lissouba and [[Bernard Kolelas]] were prevented from competing and the only remaining credible rival, [[Andre Milongo]], advised his supporters to boycott the elections and then withdrew from the race. A new [[constitution]], agreed upon by referendum in January 2002, granted the president new powers and also extended his term to seven years as well as introducing a new bicameral assembly. International observers took issue with the organization of the presidential election as well as the constitutional referendum, both of which were reminiscent in their organization of Congo's era of the single-party state. |
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During the [[Nazi occupation of France]] during [[World War II]], Brazzaville functioned as the symbolic capital of [[Free France]] between 1940 and 1943.<ref>United States State Department. Office of the Historian. ''A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776''. "[https://history.state.gov/countries/congo-republic Republic of the Congo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512065606/https://history.state.gov/countries/congo-republic |date=12 May 2017 }}". Accessed 9 October 2010.</ref> The [[Brazzaville Conference of 1944]] heralded a period of reform in French colonial policy. Congo "benefited" from the postwar expansion of colonial administrative and infrastructure spending as a result of its central geographic location within AEF and the federal capital at Brazzaville.<ref name="dos2009"/> It had a local legislature after the adoption of the 1946 constitution that established the [[French Fourth Republic|Fourth Republic]]. |
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==Government and politics== |
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{{main|Politics of the Republic of the Congo}}<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series--> |
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The most important of the many political parties are the Democratic and Patriotic Forces or FDP [Denis Sassou Nguesso, president], an alliance consisting of: |
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* Convention for Alternative Democracy |
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* [[Congolese Labour Party]] (PCT) |
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* Liberal Republican Party |
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* National Union for Democracy and Progress |
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* Patriotic Union for the National Reconstruction |
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* National Republic Party of Helasia |
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* Union for the National Renewal |
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Following the revision of the [[Constitution of France|French constitution]] that established the [[French Fifth Republic|Fifth Republic]] in 1958, AEF dissolved into its constituent parts, each of which became an autonomous colony within the [[French Community]]. During these reforms, Middle Congo became known as the Republic of the Congo in 1958<ref name="dos2009" /> and published its first constitution in 1959.<ref>Robbers, Gerhard (2007). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=M3A-xgf1yM4C Encyclopedia of World Constitutions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506124534/https://books.google.com/books?id=M3A-xgf1yM4C |date=6 May 2016 }}''. Infobase Publishing. {{ISBN|0-8160-6078-9}}. Accessed 9 October 2011.</ref> Antagonism between the [[Mbochi]]s (who favored [[Jacques Opangault]]) and the [[Lari people (Congo)|Lari]]s and [[Kongo people|Kongo]]s (who favored [[Fulbert Youlou]], the first black mayor elected in French Equatorial Africa) resulted in a series of riots in Brazzaville in February 1959, which the [[French Army]] subdued.<ref>[http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//RTV/1959/02/27/BGY503110492/?s=evacuations CONGO REPUBLIC: BRAZZAVILLE RIOTS AFTERMATH] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505233442/http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//RTV/1959/02/27/BGY503110492/?s=evacuations |date=5 May 2014 }}. Reuters (27 February 1959)</ref> |
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Other significant parties include: |
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* Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel Mampouya] |
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* [[Pan-African Union for Social Development]] or UPADS [Martin Mberi] |
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* Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere Tchicaya, president] |
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* Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge Ngollo] |
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* Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR [[leader NA]] |
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* Union of Democratic Forces or UFD, [[Sebastian Ebao]] |
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Elections took place in April 1959. By the time the Congo became independent in August 1960, Opangault, the former opponent of Youlou, agreed to serve under him. Youlou, an avid anti-communist, became the first President of the Republic of the Congo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/african-history-biographies/fulbert-youlou|title=Fulbert Youlou facts, information, pictures – Encyclopedia.com articles about Fulbert Youlou|access-date=27 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128051046/http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/african-history-biographies/fulbert-youlou|archive-date=28 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the political tension was so high in [[Pointe-Noire]], Youlou moved the capital to Brazzaville. |
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==Human Rights== |
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===Slavery=== |
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Many [[Pygmies]] in Congo live as [[slaves]] to [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] masters. The nation is deeply stratified between these two major ethnic groups. The Pygmy slaves belong from birth to their Bantu masters in a relationship that the Bantus call a time-honored tradition. Even though the [[Pygmies]] are responsible for much of the hunting, fishing and manual labor in jungle villages, Pygmies and Bantus alike say Pygmies are often paid at the master's whim; in cigarettes, used clothing, or even nothing at all. Now UNICEF and human-rights activists are speaking out. A law that would grant special protections to the Pygmy people is awaiting a vote by the Congo parliament.<ref name="newsobserver"> |
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{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Thomas |title=Congo's Pygmies live as slaves |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/110/story/552528.html |publisher=The News & Observer|date=2007-03-12 |accessdate=2008-09-29}}</ref> |
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[[File:Alphonse Massamba-Debat.png|thumb|left|upright|[[Alphonse Massamba-Débat]]'s 1-party rule (1963–1968) attempted to implement a [[political economy|political economic]] strategy of "[[scientific socialism]]".]] |
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==Regions and districts== |
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The Republic of the Congo became fully independent from France on 15 August 1960. Youlou ruled as the country's first president until labor elements and rival political parties instigated a [[Trois Glorieuses (1963)|3-day uprising]] that ousted him.<ref>[[Alain Mabanckou]] "The Lights of Pointe-Noire" {{ISBN|978-1620971901}}. 2013. p.175</ref> The Congolese military took over the country and installed a civilian provisional government headed by [[Alphonse Massamba-Débat]]. |
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{{main|Regions of the Republic of the Congo|Districts of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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[[Image:Congo regions named.png|thumb|Regions of the Republic of the Congo]] |
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The Republic of the Congo is divided into 10 [[Regions of the Republic of the Congo|''régions'']] (regions) and one [[commune (subnational entity)|commune]], the [[capital]] [[Brazzaville]]. These are: |
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{{columns |
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|col1 = |
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* [[Bouenza]] |
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* [[Cuvette Region|Cuvette]] |
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* [[Cuvette-Ouest]] |
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* [[Kouilou Region|Kouilou]] |
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* [[Lékoumou]] |
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* Commune of ''[[Brazzaville]]'' |
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|col2 = |
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* [[Likouala Region|Likouala]] |
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* [[Niari Region|Niari]] |
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* [[Plateaux Region, Congo|Plateaux]] |
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* [[Pool Region|Pool]] |
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* [[Sangha Region|Sangha]] |
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}} |
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Under the 1963 constitution, Massamba-Débat was elected president for a five-year term.<ref name="dos2009"/> During [[Alphonse Massamba-Débat#Congo under Massamba-Débat (1963-1968)|Massamba-Débat's term in office]], the regime adopted "[[scientific socialism]]" as the country's constitutional ideology.<ref name="shillington301"/> In 1964, Congo sent an official team with a single athlete at the [[1964 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] for the first time in its history. In 1965, Congo established relations with the [[Soviet Union]], the [[China|People's Republic of China]], [[North Korea]], and [[North Vietnam]].<ref name="shillington301">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of African history|author=Shillington, Kevin |page=301|publisher=CRC Press|year=2005|isbn=978-1579582456}}</ref> Under his presidency, the Congo began to [[industrialize]]. Some large production units with large workforces were built: the textile factory of Kinsoundi, the palm groves of Etoumbi, the match factory of [[Bétou]], the shipyards of Yoro, etc. Health centers were created as well as school groups (colleges and elementary school). The country's school enrollment rate became the highest in Black Africa.<ref>John F. Clark, "Congo: Transition and the Struggle to Consolidate", in ''Political Reform in Francophone Africa'' (1997)</ref> |
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The regions are subdivided into forty-six [[Districts of the Republic of the Congo|districts]]. |
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{{clear}} |
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On the night of February 14 to 15, 1965, 3 public officials of the Republic of the Congo were kidnapped: {{ill|Lazare Matsocota|fr}} (prosecutor of the Republic), {{ill|Joseph Pouabou|fr}} (President of the Supreme Court), and {{ill|Anselme Massouémé|fr}} (director of the Congolese Information Agency). The bodies of 2 of these men were later found, mutilated, by the [[Congo River]].<ref>Bazenguissa-Ganga, Rémy. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=15Qza8LQcFMC Les voies du politique au Congo: essai de sociologie historique] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801213039/https://books.google.com/books?id=15Qza8LQcFMC |date=1 August 2020 }}''. Paris: Karthala, 1997. p. 110</ref><ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=UGoEAQAAIAAJ Africa Research Bulletin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413223836/https://books.google.com/books?id=UGoEAQAAIAAJ |date=13 April 2021 }}''. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 1965. p. 242</ref> Massamba-Débat's regime invited some hundred [[Cuba]]n army troops into the country to train his party's militia units. These troops helped his government survive a [[1966 Republic of the Congo coup d'état attempt|''coup d'état'' in 1966]] led by paratroopers loyal to future President [[Marien Ngouabi]]. Massamba-Débat's regime ended with a bloodless [[1968 Republic of the Congo coup d'état|''coup'' in September 1968]].<ref name="shillington301" /> |
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Marien Ngouabi, who had participated in the coup, assumed the presidency on 31 December 1968. One year later, Ngouabi proclaimed the Congo Africa's first "people's republic", the [[People's Republic of the Congo]], and announced the decision of the National Revolutionary Movement to change its name to the [[Congolese Party of Labour|Congolese Labour Party]] (PCT). He survived an [[1972 Republic of the Congo coup d'état attempt|attempted ''coup'' in 1972]] and was assassinated on 18 March{{nbsp}}1977.<ref>"Congo President Slain by Gunman— Military Group Takes Control, Radio Reports", ''Los Angeles Times'', March 20, 1977, p. I-1</ref> An 11-member Military Committee of the Party (CMP) was then named to head an interim government, with [[Joachim Yhombi-Opango]] serving as president. Two years later, Yhombi-Opango was forced from power, and [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]] became the new president.<ref name="dos2009"/> |
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Sassou Nguesso aligned the country with the [[Eastern Bloc]] and signed a 20-year friendship pact with the Soviet Union. Over the years, Sassou had to rely more on [[political repression]] and less on [[patronage]] to maintain his dictatorship.<ref name="shillington302">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of African history|author=Shillington, Kevin |page=302|publisher=CRC Press|year=2005|isbn=978-1579582456}}</ref> The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in the ending of Soviet aid to prop up the regime, and it abdicated power. |
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[[Pascal Lissouba]] who became Congo's first elected president (1992–1997) during the period of multi-party democracy attempted to implement economic reforms with IMF backing to liberalize the economy. In the years 1993 and 1994 the [[Republic of the Congo Civil War (1993–1994)|first Congo Civil War in Congo]] occurred. In June 1996, IMF approved a 3-year [[Special drawing rights|SDR]]69.5m (US$100m) enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF) and was on the verge of announcing a renewed annual agreement when civil war broke out in Congo in 1997.<ref>{{cite book |title=Country Report Congo-Brazzaville |year=2003 |publisher=The Economist Intelligence Unit |page=24 |url=http://store.eiu.com/Product.aspx?pid=50000205&gid=1310000331&sid=735820073 |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013100410/http://store.eiu.com/Product.aspx?pid=50000205&gid=1310000331&sid=735820073 |archive-date=13 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Congo's democratic progress was derailed in 1997 when Lissouba and Sassou started to fight for power in the [[Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997-99)|civil war]]. As presidential elections scheduled for July 1997 approached, tensions between the Lissouba and Sassou camps mounted. On 5 June, President Lissouba's government forces surrounded Sassou's compound in Brazzaville, and Sassou ordered members of his private militia (known as "Cobras") to resist. Thus began a 4-month conflict that destroyed or damaged some of Brazzaville and caused tens of thousands of civilian deaths. In October, the Angolan government began an invasion of Congo to install Sassou in power and the Lissouba government fell. After that, Sassou declared himself president.<ref name="dos2009"/> |
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[[File:Pro-constitutional reform demonstration in Brazzaville - 2015-10 (21518932913).jpg|thumb|left|A pro-constitutional reform rally in Brazzaville during October 2015. The constitution's reforms were subsequently approved in a disputed election which saw demonstrations and violence.]] |
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In the [[Republic of the Congo presidential election, 2002|elections in 2002]], Sassou won with almost 90% of the vote cast. His 2 main rivals, Lissouba and Bernard Kolelas, were prevented from competing. A remaining rival, [[André Milongo]] advised his supporters to boycott the elections and then withdrew from the race.<ref name="freedomhouse"> |
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{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&year=2006&country=7093|title=Congo, Republic of|year=2006|publisher=[[Freedom House]]|access-date=12 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015231843/http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&country=7093&year=2006|archive-date=15 October 2009|url-status=live}} |
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</ref> A [[constitution]], agreed upon by [[Republic of the Congo constitutional referendum, 2002|referendum in January 2002]], granted the president new powers, extended his term to 7 years and introduced a new bicameral assembly. International observers took issue with the organization of the presidential election and the constitutional referendum, both of which were reminiscent in their organization of Congo's era of the 1-party state.<ref> |
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{{cite news | title=Congo approves new constitution | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1779007.stm | date=24 January 2002 | publisher=BBC | access-date=12 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930011021/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1779007.stm | archive-date=30 September 2009 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} |
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</ref> Following the presidential elections, fighting restarted in the [[Pool Department|Pool region]] between government forces and rebels led by [[Pastor Ntumi]]; a peace treaty to end the conflict was signed in April 2003.<ref> |
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{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2859881.stm | title=Congo peace deal signed | date=18 March 2003 | publisher=BBC | access-date=15 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930011034/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2859881.stm | archive-date=30 September 2009 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} |
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</ref> |
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Sassou won the following [[Republic of the Congo presidential election, 2009|presidential election in July 2009]].<ref> |
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{{cite news | url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jqfjSxI0cOeNG4TITywUuuQMNTGA | title=17 candidates in Congo presidential race: commission | publisher=AFP | date=13 June 2009 | access-date=15 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312165149/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jqfjSxI0cOeNG4TITywUuuQMNTGA | archive-date=12 March 2011 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} |
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</ref> According to the Congolese Observatory of Human Rights, a non-governmental organization, the election was marked by "very low" turnout and "fraud and irregularities".<ref>[http://www.france24.com/en/20090715-congo-government-expected-release-vote-results-fraud-opposition-poll Vote results expected as opposition alleges fraud] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727141917/http://www.france24.com/en/20090715-congo-government-expected-release-vote-results-fraud-opposition-poll |date=27 July 2009 }}. France24 (16 July 2009).</ref> In March 2015, Sassou announced that he wanted to run for yet another term in office and a [[Republic of the Congo constitutional referendum, 2015|constitutional referendum]] in October resulted in a [[Constitution of the Republic of the Congo|changed constitution]] that allowed him to run during the [[Republic of the Congo presidential election, 2016|2016 presidential election]]. He won the election believed by some to be fraudulent. After violent protests in the capital, Sassou attacked the Pool region where the [[Ninja (militia)|Ninja rebel]]s of the civil war used to be based, in what was believed to be a distraction. This led to a revival of the Ninja rebels who launched attacks against the army in April 2016, leading 80,000 people to flee their homes. A ceasefire deal was signed in December 2017.<ref> |
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{{cite news|url=http://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/special-report/2018/06/18/updated-congo-brazzaville-s-hidden-war|title=Congo-Brazzaville's hidden war|publisher=New Humanitarian|date=18 June 2018|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408002300/http://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/special-report/2018/06/18/updated-congo-brazzaville-s-hidden-war|archive-date=8 April 2019|url-status=live}} |
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</ref> |
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In 2023, the [[Odzala National Park|Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua]], for its savanna ecosystems and post-glacial recolonisation of forests, was listed as a natural [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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{{clear}} |
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[[Image:Congo republic sm04.png|thumb|Map of the Republic of the Congo]] |
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{{MapLibrary|Congo_sat.png|Congo}} |
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{{main|Geography of the Republic of the Congo}} |
{{main|Geography of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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Natural landscapes range from the [[savanna]] plains in the North Niari flooded forests, to the Congo River, to the rugged mountains and forests of [[Mayombe]], and 170 km of beaches along the Atlantic coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/congo/cgland.htm|title=Congo Geography|first=John|last=Moen|publisher=World Atlas|website=www.worldatlas.com|access-date=21 March 2020|archive-date=21 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321044429/https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/congo/cgland.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Congo is located in the central-western part of [[sub-Saharan Africa]], along the [[Equator]]. To the south and east of it is the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]. It is also bounded by [[Gabon]] to the west, [[Cameroon]] and the [[Central African Republic]] to the north, and [[Cabinda (province)|Cabinda]] ([[Angola]]) to the southwest. It has a short [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] coast. |
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[[File:StatisticalData 1.svg|right|thumb|Climate diagram for [[Brazzaville]]]] |
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Congo is located in the central-western part of [[sub-Saharan Africa]], along the [[Equator]], lying between latitudes [[4th parallel north|4°N]] and [[5th parallel south|5°S]], and longitudes [[11th meridian east|11°]] and [[19th meridian east|19°E]]. To the south and east of it is the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. It is bounded by [[Gabon]] to the west, [[Cameroon]] and the [[Central African Republic]] to the north, and [[Cabinda (province)|Cabinda]] ([[Angola]]) to the southwest. It has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean. |
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The southwest is a coastal plain for which the primary drainage is the [[Kouilou-Niari River]]; the interior of the country consists of a central plateau between 2 basins to the south and north. Forests are under increasing exploitation pressure.<ref>[http://pdf.wri.org/gfw_congo_atlas_v1_affiche_fr.pdf Map: Situation de l'exploitation forestière en République du Congo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114040015/http://pdf.wri.org/gfw_congo_atlas_v1_affiche_fr.pdf |date=14 January 2009 }}. (PDF) . Retrieved on 25 February 2013.</ref> Congo had a 2018 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 8.89/10, ranking it 12th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G }}</ref> |
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The capital, [[Brazzaville]], is located on the Congo River, in the south of the country, immediately across from [[Kinshasa]], the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
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Congo lies within 4 terrestrial ecoregions: [[Atlantic Equatorial coastal forests]], [[Northwestern Congolian lowland forests]], [[Western Congolian swamp forests]], and [[Western Congolian forest–savanna mosaic]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}</ref> Since the country is located on the Equator, the climate is more consistent year-round, with the average day temperature a humid {{convert|24|C|F}} and nights generally between {{convert|16|C|F}} and {{convert|21|C|F}}. The average yearly rainfall ranges from {{convert|1100|mm|in}} in the [[Niari Valley]] in the south to over {{convert|2000|mm|in}} in central parts. The dry season is from June to August, while in the majority of the country, the wet season has 2 rainfall maxima: 1 in March–May and another in September–November.<ref>{{cite journal |
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The southwest of the country is a coastal plain for which the primary drainage is the [[Kouilou-Niari River]]; the interior of the country consists of a central plateau between two basins to the south and north. |
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| title = Rainfall and temperature variations over Congo-Brazzaville between 1950 and 1998 |
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|author1=Samba G. |author2=Nganga D. |author3=Mpounza M. | journal = Theoretical and Applied Climatology |
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| volume = 91 |
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| issue = 1–4 |
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| pages = 85–97 |
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| year = 2008 |
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| doi=10.1007/s00704-007-0298-0| bibcode = 2008ThApC..91...85S |
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|s2cid=120659948 }}</ref> |
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In 2006–07, researchers from the [[Wildlife Conservation Society]] studied gorillas in "heavily forested" regions centered on the [[Ouesso District]] of the [[Sangha Region]]. They suggest a population on the order of 125,000 [[western lowland gorilla]]s whose isolation from humans has been mostly preserved by "inhospitable" swamps.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93254830 |title = 'Mother Lode' Of Gorillas Found in Congo Forests : NPR |newspaper = NPR.org |access-date = 15 August 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080828044221/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93254830 |archive-date = 28 August 2008 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
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===Biodiversity=== |
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{{Main|Wildlife of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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== Government and politics == |
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{{main|Politics of the Republic of the Congo|Cabinet of the Republic of the Congo}}<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series--> |
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{{see also|Constitution of the Republic of the Congo|Foreign relations of the Republic of the Congo|Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo|Biens mal acquis}} |
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The government of the Republic is a [[semi-presidential system]] with an elected president who appoints the [[Cabinet of the Republic of the Congo|Council of Ministers, or Cabinet]]. The council, including the Prime Minister, is selected from the elected representatives in Parliament. Since the 1990s, the country has had a [[multi-party system|multi-party political system]] which is dominated by President [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]]. Sassou Nguesso is backed by his own [[Congolese Labour Party]] ({{langx|fr|Parti Congolais du Travail}}) as well as a range of smaller parties. |
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Sassou's regime has seen [[Political corruption|corruption]] revelations, with attempts to censor them. One French investigation found over 110 bank accounts and dozens of "lavish properties" in France.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/idAFLR9382820090429?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=FACTBOX-African leaders' French assets under scrutiny |publisher=Reuters |date=29 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204033107/https://af.reuters.com/article/idAFLR9382820090429?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0 |archive-date=4 February 2012 |access-date=1 July 2017}}</ref> Sassou denounced embezzlement investigations as "racist" and "colonial".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6948281.stm|title=Congo leader son fails in gag bid|publisher=BBC|date=15 August 2007|access-date=26 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930011028/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6948281.stm|archive-date=30 September 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/6209|title=Propping Up Africa's Dictators|publisher=Foreign Policy in Focus|date=22 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012122950/http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/6209|archive-date=12 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/idAFLR9382820090429?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=FACTBOX-African leaders' French assets under scrutiny |newspaper=Reuters |date=29 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204033107/https://af.reuters.com/article/idAFLR9382820090429?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0 |archive-date=4 February 2012 }}</ref> Denis Christel Sassou-Nguesso, son of Denis Sassou Nguesso, has been named in association with the [[Panama Papers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2016/04/04/les-africains-du-panama-1-les-circuits-offshore-des-fils-de_4895102_3212.html#JWAeAK6oVt0UvEe4.99 |title=Les Africains du Panama (1) : les circuits offshore des " fils de " |author1=Joan Tilouine |author2=ICIJ |date=4 April 2016 |work=Le Monde |language=fr |access-date=10 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112044052/http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2016/04/04/les-africains-du-panama-1-les-circuits-offshore-des-fils-de_4895102_3212.html#JWAeAK6oVt0UvEe4.99 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On 27 March 2015, Sassou Nguesso announced that his government would hold a referendum on changing the country's 2002 constitution to allow him to run for a third consecutive term in office.<ref>Ross, Aaron (27 March 2015) [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-president-idUSKBN0MN25N20150327 Congo Republic president says expects referendum over the third term] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929205702/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/27/us-congo-president-idUSKBN0MN25N20150327 |date=29 September 2015 }}. ''Reuters''</ref> On 25 October, the government held a referendum on allowing Sassou Nguesso to run in the next election. The government claimed that the proposal was approved by 92% of voters, with 72% of eligible voters participating. The opposition who boycotted the referendum said that the government's statistics were false and the vote was a fake one.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-opposition-idUSKCN0SO24720151030#6gUx7xJL8tLmw1OB.97|title=Congo opposition holds ceremony for killed protesters|newspaper=Reuters|date=30 October 2015|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128070432/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/30/us-congo-opposition-idUSKCN0SO24720151030#6gUx7xJL8tLmw1OB.97|archive-date=28 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The election raised questions and was accompanied by civil unrest and police shootings of protesters;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2016/04/04/01003-20160404ARTFIG00174-violences-au-congo-le-gouvernement-accuse-les-opposants-a-sassou-nguesso.php |title=Violences au Congo : le government accuse les opposants à Sassou-Nguesso |work=Le Figaro |date=4 April 2016 |author=lefigaro.fr |language=fr |access-date=1 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514153900/http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2016/04/04/01003-20160404ARTFIG00174-violences-au-congo-le-gouvernement-accuse-les-opposants-a-sassou-nguesso.php |archive-date=14 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> at least 18 people were killed by security forces during opposition rallies leading up to the referendum held in October. |
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===Administrative divisions=== |
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[[File:Congo regions named.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Map of the Republic of the Congo exhibiting its 12 departments]] |
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{{main|Departments of the Republic of the Congo|Communes of the Republic of the Congo|Districts of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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It is divided into 12 [[Departments of the Republic of the Congo|''départements'']] (departments). Departments are divided into communes and districts.<ref> |
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With inconsistent figures: |
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*The [http://www.presidence.cg/congo/administration.php site of the Presidency of the Republic of the Congo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727221905/http://www.presidence.cg/congo/administration.php |date=27 July 2009 }} lists 11 departments, 7 communes, and 76 districts. |
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*The 2004 [http://www.cnsee.org/Publication/Annuaire_04.pdf Statistical directory of Congo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113142137/http://www.cnsee.org/Publication/Annuaire_04.pdf |date=13 November 2009 }} lists 12 departments, 6 communes, and 85 districts |
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*A list of subprefects (higher representatives of State in a district) nominated in December 2008 lists 86 districts. Search {{cite web |url=http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=693 |title=Archived copy |access-date=6 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116112954/http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=693 |archive-date=16 January 2009}} |
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*Finally, the good figures seem to come from [http://www.congo-siteportail.info/Les-donnees-generales-sur-le-Congo_a18.html this site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518092837/http://www.congo-siteportail.info/Les-donnees-generales-sur-le-Congo_a18.html |date=18 May 2009 }}: 12 departments, 7 communes, and 86 districts |
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</ref> |
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These are: |
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{{columns-list|colwidth=10em| |
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*[[Bouenza Department|Bouenza]] |
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*[[Brazzaville]] |
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*[[Cuvette Department|Cuvette]] |
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*[[Cuvette-Ouest Department|Cuvette-Ouest]] |
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*[[Kouilou Department|Kouilou]] |
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*[[Lékoumou Department|Lékoumou]] |
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*[[Likouala Department|Likouala]] |
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*[[Niari Department|Niari]] |
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*[[Plateaux Department (Republic of the Congo)|Plateaux]] |
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*[[Pointe-Noire]] |
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*[[Pool Department|Pool]] |
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*[[Sangha Department (Republic of the Congo)|Sangha]] |
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}} |
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{{Clear}} |
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===Human rights=== |
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{{main|Human rights in the Republic of the Congo}} |
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{{see also|LGBT rights in the Republic of the Congo}} |
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Some [[Pygmies]] belong from birth to [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]]s in a relationship some refer to as slavery.<ref name=globalpost>{{cite news|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/111113/pygmy-pets-congo-pygmies-slavery-human-rights|title=Pygmies in the Congo treated like "pets": report|publisher=globalpost.com|access-date=13 November 2011|date=13 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114021904/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/111113/pygmy-pets-congo-pygmies-slavery-human-rights|archive-date=14 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="internationalreportingproject">{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Thomas |title=Slaves of the Congo |url=http://internationalreportingproject.org/stories/view/slaves-of-the-congo |publisher=International Reporting Project |date=4 March 2007 |access-date=13 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714221201/http://internationalreportingproject.org/stories/view/slaves-of-the-congo |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Congolese Human Rights Observatory says that the Pygmies are treated as property in the same way as pets.<ref name=globalpost/> On 30 December 2010, the [[Parliament of the Republic of the Congo|Congolese parliament]] adopted a law to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.{{clarify|how's this working out in practice? The statutory law is 1 thing; and what is actually happening with human rights ''de facto'' in the countryside?|date=October 2019}} This law is "the first" of its kind in Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iwgia.org/sw153.asp |title=UN expert praises Congo's draft law on indigenous rights |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124090322/http://www.iwgia.org/sw153.asp |archive-date=24 November 2010}}. iwgia.org, 15 November 2010</ref>{{update after|2019|10|7}} |
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==Economy== |
==Economy== |
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{{main|Economy of the Republic of the Congo}} |
{{main|Economy of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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{{see also|Hydrocarbon exploration|List of companies of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on [[petroleum]],<ref name="eia">{{cite web| url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/congo.html| title=Congo-Brazzaville| publisher=Energy Information Administration, U.S. Government| accessdate=2007-11-08}}</ref> support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Petroleum extraction has supplanted [[forestry]] as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its petroleum earnings, contributing to a shortage of revenues. The January 12, 1994 devaluation of [[CFA franc|Franc Zone]] currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 46% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since.<ref>{{cite web |
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[[File:GDP per capita development of the Republic of the Congo.svg|thumb|GDP per capita development, 1950 to 2018]] |
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| url = http://www.econstats.com/weo/CV039V025.htm |
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[[File:Republic of the Congo Product Exports (2019).svg|thumb|right|A proportional representation of Republic of the Congo exports, 2019]] |
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| title = Congo, Republic of. Inflation, annual percent change |
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| publisher = EconStats |
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The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based mainly on [[petroleum]],<ref name="2018_nzaou_kongo"/><ref name="eia">{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/congo2.html |title=Congo-Brazzaville |publisher=Energy Information Administration, U.S. Government |access-date=11 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323115110/http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/congo2.html |archive-date=23 March 2008 }}</ref> support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and "overstaffing". Petroleum extraction has supplanted [[forestry]] as the mainstay of the economy. In 2008, the oil sector accounted for 65% of the [[GDP]], 85% of government revenue, and 92% of exports.<ref>[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/CONGOEXTN/0,,menuPK:349223~pagePK:141132~piPK:141107~theSitePK:349199,00.html Republic of the Congo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504123157/http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/CONGOEXTN/0,,menuPK:349223~pagePK:141132~piPK:141107~theSitePK:349199,00.html |date=4 May 2009 }} World Bank</ref> The country has untapped [[Mining in the Republic of the Congo|mineral]] wealth.<ref name="2018_nzaou_kongo"/> |
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| accessdate = 2008-06-11}}</ref> |
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Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the [[World Bank]] and the [[IMF]]. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. When Sassou Nguesso returned to power at the war ended in October 1997, he publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. However, economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic problems of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty, despite record-high oil prices since 2003. Natural gas and diamonds are also recent major Congolese exports, although Congo was excluded from the [[Kimberley Process]] in 2004 amid allegations that most of its diamond exports were in fact being smuggled out of the neighboring [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]; it was re-admitted to the group in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |
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In the 1980s, rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance larger-scale development projects. GDP grew an average of 5% annually. The government has mortgaged a portion of its petroleum earnings, contributing to a "shortage of revenues". On 12 January 1994, the devaluation of [[CFA franc|Franc Zone]] currencies by 50% resulted in an inflation of 46% in 1994, and inflation has subsided since.<ref> |
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| url = http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/download/getfile/310 |
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{{cite web |
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| title= Kimberley Process Removes the Republic of Congo from the List of Participants |
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| url = http://www.econstats.com/weo/CCOG.htm |
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| publisher = [[Kimberley Process]] |
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| title = Congo, Republic of |
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| date = 2004-07-09 |
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| publisher = EconStats |
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| accessdate = 2008-06-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |
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| access-date = 11 June 2009 |
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| url= http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/download/getfile/678 |
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| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090428114157/http://www.econstats.com/weo/CCOG.htm |
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| title= 2007 Kimberley Process Communiqué |
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| archive-date = 28 April 2009 |
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| publisher = [[Kimberley Process]] |
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| url-status = live |
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| date = 2007-11-08 |
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| df = dmy-all |
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| accessdate = 2008-06-11}}</ref> |
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}} |
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</ref> |
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Between 1994 and 1996, the economy underwent a difficult transition. The Congo took a number of measures to liberalize its economy, including reforming the tax, investment, labor, timber, and hydrocarbon codes. In 2002–03, Congo privatized parastatals, primarily banks, telecommunications, and transportation monopolies, to help improve and unreliable infrastructure. By the end of 1996 Congo had made progress in various areas targeted for reform. It made great strides toward macroeconomic stabilization through improving public finances and restructuring external debt. This change was accompanied by improvements in the structure of expenditures, with a reduction in personnel expenditures. Before June 1997, Congo and the United States ratified a bilateral investment treaty designed to facilitate and protect foreign investment. The country also adopted a new investment code intended to attract foreign capital. The country also adopted a new investment code intended to attract foreign capital. Despite these success, Congo's investment climate has challenges, offering few meaningful incentives for new investors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congo (Brazzaville) (11/05) |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/congobrazzaville/58673.htm |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref> |
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[[File:Jeunes filles apprenant la couture - Ecole Spéciale de Brazzaville.jpg|thumb|Women learning to sew, Brazzaville]] |
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Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, including the [[World Bank]] and the [[International Monetary Fund]]. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. When Sassou Nguesso returned to power in October 1997, he publicly expressed interest in moving forward on [[economic reform]]s and [[privatization]] and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was "badly hurt" by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which "worsened" the republic's budget deficit.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024|reason=I believe this paragraph doesn't have a source as the quotes do not appear via ctrl-f in the documents cited in the next paragraph.}} |
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The administration presides over an "uneasy internal peace" and faces "difficult" economic problems of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty, with record-high oil prices since 2003. Natural gas and diamonds are other exports, while Congo was excluded from the [[Kimberley Process]] in 2004 amid allegations that most of its diamond exports were, in fact, being smuggled out of the neighboring [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]; it was re-admitted to the group in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/download/getfile/310 |title=Kimberley Process Removes the Republic of Congo from the List of Participants |publisher=[[Kimberley Process]] |date=9 July 2004 |access-date=11 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510045124/http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/download/getfile/310 |archive-date=10 May 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/download/getfile/678 |title=2007 Kimberley Process Communiqué |publisher=[[Kimberley Process]] |date=8 November 2007 |access-date=11 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304225023/http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/download/getfile/678 |archive-date=4 March 2008 }}</ref> |
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The Republic of the Congo has untapped base metal, gold, iron, and phosphate deposits.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mbendi.com/indy/ming/af/co/p0005.htm | title=Mining in Congo | publisher=MBendi | access-date=14 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227073149/https://www.mbendi.com/indy/ming/af/co/p0005.htm | archive-date=27 December 2016 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> It is a member of the [[Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa]] (OHADA).<ref name="ohada.com"> |
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{{cite web |
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| title = OHADA.com: The business law portal in Africa |
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| url = http://www.ohada.com/index.php |
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| access-date = 22 March 2009 |
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| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090326033744/http://www.ohada.com/index.php |
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| archive-date = 26 March 2009 |
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| url-status = live |
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| df = dmy-all |
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}} |
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</ref> The Congolese government signed an agreement in 2009 to lease 200,000 hectares of land to [[South Africa]]n farmers to reduce its dependence on imports.<ref>Goodspeed, Peter (21 October 2009) {{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2130070 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110218183659/http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2130070 |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2011 |title=South Africa's white farmers prepare to trek to the Congo |access-date=10 September 2016}}. National Post.</ref><ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/congo/6398253/Congo-hands-land-to-South-African-farmers.html Congo hands land to South African farmers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521201638/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/congo/6398253/Congo-hands-land-to-South-African-farmers.html |date=21 May 2018 }}. Telegraph. 21 October 2009.</ref> The GDP of the Republic of the Congo grew by 6% in 2014 and is expected to have grown by 7.5% in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Republic of the Congo GDP Annual Growth Rate|website = Trading Economics}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.gfmag.com/global-data/country-data/republic-of-the-congo-gdp-country-report|title = Republic of the Congo GDP and Economic Data|access-date = 14 January 2016|website = Global Finance|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160124211901/http://www.gfmag.com/global-data/country-data/republic-of-the-congo-gdp-country-report|archive-date = 24 January 2016|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In 2018, the Republic of the Congo joined the [[Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries]].<ref>{{cite web |title=OPEC Member Countries |url=https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/about_us/25.htm |publisher=Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208202051/https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/about_us/25.htm |archive-date=8 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[Congo–Ocean Railway]] was [[Congo–Ocean Railway#History|built by forced laborers]] during the 1930s. Some colonial architectural heritage is preserved. Restoration of architectural works is underway in Brazzaville, for example, at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne du Congo, which was completed in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latitudefrance.org/25-mars-Inauguration-officielle-de.html|title=Inauguration de la basilique Sainte-Anne du Congo à Brazzaville|newspaper=Latitude France|place=Brazzaville|date=31 March 2011|access-date=21 March 2020|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413224106/http://latitudefrance.org/25-mars-Inauguration-officielle-de.html|archive-date=13 April 2011}}</ref> |
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==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
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[[Image:Congo-Rep-demography.png|thumb|Population of the Republic of the Congo ([[FAO]], 2005); number of inhabitants given in thousands.]] |
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{{main|Demographics of the Republic of the Congo}} |
{{main|Demographics of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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{|class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px" |
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The Republic of the Congo's sparse population is concentrated in the southwestern portion of the country, leaving the vast areas of tropical [[jungle]] in the north virtually uninhabited. Thus, Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa, with 85% of its total population living in a few urban areas, namely in [[Brazzaville]], [[Pointe-Noire]], or one of the small cities or villages lining the {{convert|332|mi|km|0|sing=on}} railway which connects the two cities. In rural areas, industrial and commercial activity has declined rapidly in recent years, leaving rural economies dependent on the government for support and subsistence. Before the 1997 war, about 9,000 [[Europe]]ans and other non-Africans lived in Congo, most of whom were [[France|French]]; only a fraction of this number remains.<ref name="StateDept">[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2825.htm#people Background Note: Republic of the Congo] [[United States Department of State]]. Accessed on August 21, 2008.</ref> Around 100 [[United States|American]] expatriates reside in the Congo.<ref name="StateDept"/> [[Pygmies]] make up between 5 to 10 percent of Congo's population.<ref name="newsobserver"/> |
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|+Population{{UN_Population|ref}} |
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{{clear}} |
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! Year |
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! Million |
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|- |
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|style="text-align:left;"|1950 ||style="text-align:right;"|0.8 |
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|- |
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|style="text-align:left;"|2000 ||style="text-align:right;"|3.2 |
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|- |
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|style="text-align:left;"|{{UN_Population|Year}} ||style="text-align:right;"|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{UN_Population|Congo}}|R}}/1e6 round 1}} |
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|} |
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Its population is concentrated in the southwestern portion, leaving the areas of tropical [[jungle]] in the north virtually uninhabited. 70% of its total population lives in urban areas, namely in [[Brazzaville]], [[Pointe-Noire]], or one of the cities or villages lining the {{convert|534|km|adj=on}}, railway which connects the two cities. In rural areas, industrial and commercial activity has declined in some years, leaving rural economies dependent on the government for support and subsistence.<ref name="dos2009" /> |
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Before the 1997 war, about 9,000 Europeans and other non-Africans lived in Congo, most of whom were [[French people|French]]; a fraction of this number remains.<ref name="dos2009" /> Around 300 [[United States|American]] immigrants reside in the Congo.<ref name="dos2009" /> |
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According to a 2011–12 survey, the total fertility rate was 5.1 children born per woman, with 4.5 in urban areas and 6.5 in rural areas.<ref>[http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FR267/FR267.pdf Congo. Enquête Démographique et de Santé 2011–2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222140728/http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FR267/FR267.pdf |date=22 February 2014 }}. Centre National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques (CNSEE), Brazzaville. December 2012</ref> |
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===Largest cities=== |
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{{Largest cities |
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| country = Republic of the Congo (2023 census) |
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| stat_ref =[https://www.citypopulation.de/Congo.html City Population: CONGO (REP.)] |
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| list_by_pop = |
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| div_name = |
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| div_link = Departments of the Republic of the Congo{{!}}Department |
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| city_1 = Brazzaville |
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| div_1 = Brazzaville Department{{!}}Brazzaville |
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| pop_1 = 2,138,236 |
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| img_1 = Brazzaville bird eye view.jpg |
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| city_2 = Pointe-Noire |
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| div_2 = Pointe-Noire Department{{!}}Pointe-Noire |
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| pop_2 = 1,398,812 |
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| img_2 = Pointe-Noire downtown.jpg |
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| city_3 = Dolisie |
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| div_3 = Niari Department{{!}}Niari |
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| pop_3 = 178,172 |
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| img_3 = |
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| city_4 =Nkayi, Republic of the Congo{{!}}Nkayi |
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| div_4 = Bouenza |
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| pop_4 = 104,083 |
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| img_4 = |
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| city_5 = Ouésso |
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| div_5 = Sangha Department (Republic of the Congo){{!}}Sangha |
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| pop_5 = 75,095 |
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| img_5 = |
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| city_6 = Kintélé |
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| div_6 = Pool Department{{!}}Pool |
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| pop_6 = 71,629 |
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| img_6 = |
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| city_7 = Oyo, Republic of the Congo{{!}}Oyo |
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| div_7 = Cuvette Department{{!}}Cuvette |
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| pop_7 = 63,598 |
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| img_7 = |
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| city_8 = Bétou |
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| div_8 = Likouala Department{{!}}Likouala |
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| pop_8 = 59,563 |
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| img_8 = |
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| city_9 = Gamboma |
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| div_9 = Plateaux Department (Republic of the Congo){{!}}Plateaux |
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| pop_9 = 52,652 |
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| img_9 = |
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| city_10 = Owando |
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| div_10 = Cuvette Department{{!}}Cuvette |
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| pop_10 = 48,642 |
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| img_10 = |
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}} |
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===Languages=== |
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{{Main|Languages of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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[[Ethnologue]] recognizes 62 spoken languages in the country.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=CG | title=Languages of Congo | publisher=SIL International | access-date=13 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923225148/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=CG | archive-date=23 September 2008 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The [[Kongo people|Kongo]] are the largest ethnic group and form roughly half of the population. The most significant subgroups of the Kongo are [[Lari (ethnic group)|Laari]], in Brazzaville and Pool regions, and the [[Vili people|Vili]], around Pointe-Noire and along the Atlantic coast. The second largest group is the [[Bateke|Teke]], who live to the north of Brazzaville, with 16.9% of the population. [[Mbochi people|Mbochi]] live in the north, east and in Brazzaville and form 13.1% of the population.<ref>{{cite book | title=Ethnic groups worldwide | author=Levinson, David | year=1998 | pages=120–121 | isbn=978-1-57356-019-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uwi-rv3VV6cC&pg=PA120 | publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group | access-date=20 December 2020 | archive-date=13 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413223837/https://books.google.com/books?id=uwi-rv3VV6cC&pg=PA120 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.minorityrights.org/?lid=4141 | title=Congo Overview | publisher=Minority Rights Group International | access-date=13 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614031740/http://www.minorityrights.org/?lid=4141 | archive-date=14 June 2008 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Pygmies]] make up 2% of Congo's population.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/08/05/les-pygmees-du-congo-en-danger-d-extinction_1556735_3212.html#ens_id=1259967 | title=Les pygmées du Congo en "danger d'extinction" | newspaper=Le Monde | date=5 August 2011 | access-date=5 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030414/http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/08/05/les-pygmees-du-congo-en-danger-d-extinction_1556735_3212.html#ens_id=1259967 | archive-date=7 November 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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===Religion=== |
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{{Main|Religion in the Republic of the Congo}} |
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{{Pie chart |
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|thumb = right |
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|caption = Religion in the Republic of the Congo by the [[Association of Religion Data Archives]] (2015)<ref name="ARDA">{{cite web|date=2015|title=Congo, Republic of the|access-date=18 May 2020|publisher=[[Association of Religion Data Archives]]|url=http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_58_1.asp|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022230535/https://thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_58_1.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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|label1 = [[Roman Catholic]] |
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|value1 = 52.9 |
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|color1 = Blue |
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|label2 = [[Protestant]] and other Christian |
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|value2 = 35.6 |
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|color2 = DarkOrchid |
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|label3 = [[Traditional African religions]] |
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|value3 = 4.7 |
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|color3 = Gold |
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|label4 = Other religions |
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|value4 = 2.3 |
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|color4 = MediumSeaGreen |
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|label5 = No religion |
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|value5 = 3.0 |
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|color5 = Grey |
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|label6 = Don't know |
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|color6 = black |
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|value6 = 1.4 |
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}} |
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According to CIA World Factbook, the people of the Republic of the Congo are largely a mix of [[Catholics]] (33.1%), [[Awakening (Finnish religious movement)|Awakening Lutherans]] (22.3%), and other [[Protestants]] (19.9%) as of 2007. Followers of [[Islam]] make up 1.6%; this is primarily due to an influx of foreign workers into the urban centers.<ref name="CIAWFB" /> |
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===Education=== |
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{{Main|Education in the Republic of the Congo}} |
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[[File:SAINTE RITA CONG-BR2.jpg|thumb|School children in the classroom, Republic of the Congo]] |
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Public expenditure of the [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] was less in 2002–05 than in 1991.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> Public education is theoretically free and mandatory for under-16-year-olds,<ref name="unhcr.org">[http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,COG,456d621e2,4aba3ee628,0.html Refworld | 2008 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Congo, Republic of the] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510033931/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,COG,456d621e2,4aba3ee628,0.html |date=10 May 2011 }}. UNHCR. Retrieved on 25 February 2013.</ref> and in practice, expenses exist.<ref name="unhcr.org"/> In 2005 net primary enrollment rate was 44%, a drop from 79% in 1991.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> |
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===Health=== |
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==Weather and Climate== |
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{{Main|Health in the Republic of the Congo}} |
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[[Image:Climate Brazzaville.svg|thumb|Climate diagram for Brazzaville]] |
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Since the country is located on the Equator, the climate is consistent year-round, with the average day temperature being a humid {{nowrap|24 °C}} ({{nowrap|75 °F}}) and nights generally between {{nowrap|16-21 °C}} ({{nowrap|60-70 °F}}). The average yearly rainfall ranges from {{convert|1100|mm|in|0}} in south in the [[Kouilou-Niari River|Niari]] valley to over {{convert|2000|mm|in|0}} in central parts of the county. The dry season is from June to August while in the majority of the country the wet season has two rainfall maxima: one in March–May and another in September–November.<ref>{{cite journal |
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| url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/ah8jx745740m4353/ |
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| title = Rainfall and temperature variations over Congo-Brazzaville between 1950 and 1998 |
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| author = Samba G., Nganga D., Mpounza M. |
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| journal = Theoretical and Applied Climatology |
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| volume = 91 |
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| issue = 1–4 |
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| pages = 85–97 |
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| accessdate = 2008-06-11 |
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| year = 2008 |
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| doi=10.1007/s00704-007-0298-0}}</ref> |
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Public expenditure health was at 8.9% of the GDP in 2004 whereas private expenditure was at 1.3%.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org">{{cite web |url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_COG.html |title=Human Development Report 2009 |access-date=24 June 2014 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117223815/http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_COG.html |archive-date=17 January 2010}}. undp.org</ref> |
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{{Expand-section|date=May 2008}} |
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{{As of|2012}}, the [[HIV/AIDS]] prevalence was at 2.8% among 15- to 49-year-olds.<ref name="CIAWFB" /> Health expenditure was at US$30 per capita in 2004.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> A proportion of the population is undernourished,<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> and [[malnutrition]] is a problem in Congo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/73653/congo-grappling-with-malnutrition-and-post-conflict-woes|title=IRIN Africa – CONGO: Grappling with malnutrition and post-conflict woes – Congo – Food Security – Health & Nutrition|work=IRINnews|access-date=23 January 2015|date=8 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129020635/http://www.irinnews.org/report/73653/congo-grappling-with-malnutrition-and-post-conflict-woes|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> There were 20 physicians per 100,000 persons in the 2000s (decade).<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> |
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{{As of|2010}}, the [[maternal mortality]] rate was 560 deaths/100,000 live births, and the [[infant mortality]] rate was 59.34 deaths/1,000 live births.<ref name="CIAWFB" /> [[Female genital mutilation]] (FGM) is confined to limited geographic areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://inthenews.unfpa.org/?p=15146|title=CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UNFPA Leads Fight Against FGM " UNFPA in the News|access-date=23 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129011052/http://inthenews.unfpa.org/?p=15146|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |
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==Flora and fauna== |
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In 2006-07, researchers from the [[Wildlife Conservation Society]] studied gorillas in heavily forested regions centered on the Ouesso district of the [[Sangha Region]]. They suggest a population on the order of 125,000 [[Western Lowland Gorilla]]s, whose isolation from humans has been largely preserved by inhospitable swamps.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93254830 |title = 'Mother Lode' Of Gorillas Found In Congo Forests : NPR |accessdate = 2008-08-15}}</ref> |
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==Culture== |
==Culture== |
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{{ |
{{Main|Culture of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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* [[List of Congolese]] |
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* [[List of African writers (by country)#Congo (-Brazzaville)|List of writers from the Republic of the Congo]] |
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* [[Music of the Republic of the Congo]] |
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* [[Public holidays in the Republic of the Congo]] |
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== |
===Music=== |
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{{Main|Music of the Republic of the Congo}} |
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* [[Foreign relations of the Republic of the Congo]] |
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* [[Military of the Republic of the Congo]] |
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* [[Transport in the Republic of the Congo]] |
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* [[Scouting in Congo-Brazzaville]] |
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* [[List of cities in the Republic of the Congo]] |
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* [[List of Democratic Republic of the Congo-related topics]] |
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* [[List of Republic of the Congo-related topics]] |
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* [[French Congo]] |
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* [[French Equatorial Africa]] |
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== |
===Media=== |
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{{Main|Mass media in the Republic of the Congo}} |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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== |
===Cuisine=== |
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{{Main|Congolese cuisine}} |
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* Maria Petringa, ''Brazza, A Life for Africa'' (2006) ISBN 9781-4259-11980 |
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== |
===Sports=== |
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{{ |
{{Further information|Football in the Republic of the Congo|Rugby union in the Republic of the Congo}} |
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; Government Website |
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*[http://www.congo-siteportail.info/] Congolese Government Portal |
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*[http://www.presidence.cg/accueil/] Official Website of the Presidency of the Republic |
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; News |
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* [http://allafrica.com/congo_brazzaville/ AllAfrica.com - ''Congo-Brazzaville''] news headline links |
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* [http://www.irinnews.org/frontpage.asp?SelectRegion=Great_Lakes&SelectCountry=Congo IRIN News for Congo, from the United Nations] |
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==See also== |
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; Overviews |
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{{Portal|Republic of the Congo|Africa|Countries}} |
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* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076794.stm BBC Country profile] |
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*[[Index of Republic of the Congo–related articles]] |
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* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cf.html CIA World Factbook - ''Congo, Republic of the''] |
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*[[List of people from the Republic of the Congo]] |
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* [http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1092.html U.S. State Department overview of Congo] |
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* |
*[[Outline of the Republic of the Congo]] |
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{{clear}} |
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==Notes== |
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; Culture |
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{{Notelist}} |
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* [http://www.arts.uwa.edu.au/AFLIT/CountryCongoEN.html Congolese literature at a glance] |
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==References== |
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; Directories |
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{{Reflist}} |
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* [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Congo/ Open Directory Project - ''Republic of the Congo''] directory category |
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* [http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/congob.html Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: ''Congo-Brazzaville''] directory category |
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* [http://www.afrika.no/index/Countries/Congo_Brazzaville/ The Index on Africa - ''Congo-Brazzaville''] directory category |
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* [http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Congo.html University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center: ''Congo''] directory category |
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* [http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Congo__Brazzaville_/ Yahoo! - ''Congo (Brazzaville)''] directory category |
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==Further reading== |
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; Ethnic groups |
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{{Refbegin}} |
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* [http://www.pygmies.info/ Baka Pygmies of Cameroon and Congo] Culture and music of the first inhabitants of Congo |
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* Petringa, Maria (2006). ''Brazza, A Life for Africa''. {{ISBN|978-1-4259-1198-0}}. |
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{{Refend}} |
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==External links== |
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; Human Rights |
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{{Sister project links|Republic of the Congo|voy=Republic of the Congo}} |
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* [http://web.amnesty.org/report2006/cog-summary-eng Amnesty International Human Rights Report, 2006] |
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'''Government''' |
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*[http://www.presidence.cg/accueil/ Presidency of the Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222012727/http://www.presidence.cg/accueil/ |date=22 December 2010 }} {{in lang|fr}} |
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*[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-c/congo-republic-of-the.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210080257/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-c/congo-republic-of-the.html |date=10 December 2008 }} |
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'''General''' |
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; Tourism |
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076794.stm Country Profile] from [[BBC News]] |
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* {{wikitravel}} |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081207054856/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/Congo.htm Republic of the Congo] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs'' |
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*{{wikiatlas|the Republic of the Congo}} |
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this really needs to put some econmy stuff on it |
Latest revision as of 16:54, 18 December 2024
Republic of the Congo | |
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Motto: "Unité, Travail, Progrès" (French) (English: "Unity, Work, Progress") | |
Anthem: "La Congolaise" (French) Besi Kôngo (Kongo) (English: "The Congolese") | |
Capital and largest city | Brazzaville 4°16′S 15°17′E / 4.267°S 15.283°E |
Official languages | French[1] |
Recognised national languages | |
Religion (2020)[2] |
|
Demonym(s) | |
Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic under a dominant-party authoritarian state[4][5][6][7] |
Denis Sassou Nguesso | |
Anatole Collinet Makosso | |
Legislature | Parliament |
Senate | |
National Assembly | |
Independence | |
• Republic established | 28 November 1958 |
• from France | 15 August 1960 |
Area | |
• Total | 342,000 km2 (132,000 sq mi) (64th) |
• Water (%) | 3.3 |
Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 6,228,784[8] (116th) |
• 2023 census | 6,142,180[9] |
• Density | 17.96/km2 (46.5/sq mi) |
GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $27.994 billion[10] (150th) |
• Per capita | $5,552[10] (149th) |
GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $14.407 billion[10] (142nd) |
• Per capita | $2,857[10] (138th) |
Gini (2011) | 40.2[11] medium inequality |
HDI (2022) | 0.593[12] medium (149th) |
Currency | Central African CFA franc (XAF) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
Drives on | Right |
Calling code | +242 |
ISO 3166 code | CG |
Internet TLD | .cg |
The Republic of the Congo,[a] also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply either Congo or the Congo, is a country located on the western coast of Central Africa to the west of the Congo River. It is bordered to the west by Gabon, to the northwest by Cameroon, to the northeast by the Central African Republic, to the southeast by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south by the Angolan exclave of Cabinda, and to the southwest by the Atlantic Ocean.
The region was dominated by Bantu-speaking tribes at least 3,000 years ago, who built trade links leading into the Congo River basin. From the 13th century the present day territory was dominated by a confederation led by Vungu which included Kakongo and Ngoyo. Loango emerged in the 16th century. In the late 19th century France colonised the region and incorporated it into French Equatorial Africa.[3] The Republic of the Congo was established on 28 November 1958 and gained independence from France in 1960. It was a Marxist–Leninist state from 1969 to 1992, under the name People's Republic of the Congo (PRC). The country has had multi-party elections since 1992, but a democratically elected government was ousted in the 1997 Republic of the Congo Civil War. President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who first came to power in 1979, ruled until 1992 and then again since after his reinstatement.
The Republic of the Congo is a member of the African Union, the United Nations, La Francophonie, the Economic Community of Central African States, and the Non-Aligned Movement. It is the fourth-largest oil producer in the Gulf of Guinea, providing the country a degree of prosperity, with political and economic instability in some areas and unequal distribution of oil revenue nationwide. Its economy is dependent on the oil sector[13] and economic growth has slowed since the post-2015 drop in oil prices.
Christianity is the most widely professed faith in the country. According to the 2024 rendition of the World Happiness Report, the Republic of the Congo is ranked 89th among 140 nations.[14]
Etymology
[edit]It is named after the Congo River whose name is derived from Kongo, a Bantu kingdom which occupied its mouth around the time the Portuguese first arrived in 1483[15] or 1484.[16] The kingdom's name derived from its people, the Bakongo, an endonym said to mean "hunters" (Kongo: mukongo, nkongo).[17]
During the period when France colonised it, it was known as the French Congo or Middle Congo. The Republic of the Congo, or simply Congo,[3] is a distinct country from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as DR Congo.[18] Brazzaville's name derives from the colony's founder, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazzà, an Italian nobleman whose title referred to the town of Brazzacco, in the Italian comune of Moruzzo in Friuli Venezia Giulia, whose name derived from the Latin Brattius or Braccius, both meaning literally "arm".[19]
History
[edit]Bantu-speaking peoples, who founded tribes during the Bantu expansions, mostly displaced and absorbed the earlier inhabitants of the region, the Pygmy people, about 1500 BC. The Bakongo, a Bantu ethnic group that occupied parts of what later became Angola, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formed the basis for ethnic affinities and rivalries among those countries.
By the 13th century, there were three main confederations of states in the western Congo Basin. In the east were the Seven Kingdoms of Kongo dia Nlaza, considered to be the oldest and most powerful, which likely included Nsundi, Mbata, Mpangu, and possibly Kundi and Okanga. South of these was Mpemba which stretched from modern-day Angola to the Congo River. It included various kingdoms such as Mpemba Kasi and Vunda. To its west across the Congo River was a confederation of three small states; Vungu (its leader), Kakongo, and Ngoyo.[20]: 24–25 Some Bantu kingdoms—including those of the Kongo, the Loango, and the Teke—built trade links leading into the Congo Basin.[21]
The Portuguese explorer, Diogo Cão reached the mouth of the Congo in 1484.[22] Commercial relationships grew between the inland Bantu kingdoms and European merchants who traded in commodities, manufactured goods, and people captured and enslaved in the hinterlands. After centuries as a central hub for transatlantic trade, direct European colonization of the Congo River delta began in the 19th century, subsequently eroding the power of the Bantu societies in the region.[23]
The area north of the Congo River came under French sovereignty in 1880 as a result of Pierre de Brazza's treaty with King Makoko[24] of the Bateke.[22] After the death of Makoko, his widow Queen Ngalifourou upheld the terms of the treaty and became an ally to the colonizers.[25] This Congo Colony became known first as French Congo, then as Middle Congo in 1903.
In 1908, France organized French Equatorial Africa (AEF), comprising the Middle Congo, Gabon, Chad, and Oubangui-Chari (which later became the Central African Republic). The French designated Brazzaville as the federal capital. Economic development during the first 50 years of colonial rule in Congo centered on natural resource extraction. Construction of the Congo–Ocean Railway following World War I has been estimated to have cost at least 14,000 lives.[22]
During the Nazi occupation of France during World War II, Brazzaville functioned as the symbolic capital of Free France between 1940 and 1943.[26] The Brazzaville Conference of 1944 heralded a period of reform in French colonial policy. Congo "benefited" from the postwar expansion of colonial administrative and infrastructure spending as a result of its central geographic location within AEF and the federal capital at Brazzaville.[21] It had a local legislature after the adoption of the 1946 constitution that established the Fourth Republic.
Following the revision of the French constitution that established the Fifth Republic in 1958, AEF dissolved into its constituent parts, each of which became an autonomous colony within the French Community. During these reforms, Middle Congo became known as the Republic of the Congo in 1958[21] and published its first constitution in 1959.[27] Antagonism between the Mbochis (who favored Jacques Opangault) and the Laris and Kongos (who favored Fulbert Youlou, the first black mayor elected in French Equatorial Africa) resulted in a series of riots in Brazzaville in February 1959, which the French Army subdued.[28]
Elections took place in April 1959. By the time the Congo became independent in August 1960, Opangault, the former opponent of Youlou, agreed to serve under him. Youlou, an avid anti-communist, became the first President of the Republic of the Congo.[29] Since the political tension was so high in Pointe-Noire, Youlou moved the capital to Brazzaville.
The Republic of the Congo became fully independent from France on 15 August 1960. Youlou ruled as the country's first president until labor elements and rival political parties instigated a 3-day uprising that ousted him.[30] The Congolese military took over the country and installed a civilian provisional government headed by Alphonse Massamba-Débat.
Under the 1963 constitution, Massamba-Débat was elected president for a five-year term.[21] During Massamba-Débat's term in office, the regime adopted "scientific socialism" as the country's constitutional ideology.[31] In 1964, Congo sent an official team with a single athlete at the Olympic Games for the first time in its history. In 1965, Congo established relations with the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, North Korea, and North Vietnam.[31] Under his presidency, the Congo began to industrialize. Some large production units with large workforces were built: the textile factory of Kinsoundi, the palm groves of Etoumbi, the match factory of Bétou, the shipyards of Yoro, etc. Health centers were created as well as school groups (colleges and elementary school). The country's school enrollment rate became the highest in Black Africa.[32]
On the night of February 14 to 15, 1965, 3 public officials of the Republic of the Congo were kidnapped: Lazare Matsocota (prosecutor of the Republic), Joseph Pouabou (President of the Supreme Court), and Anselme Massouémé (director of the Congolese Information Agency). The bodies of 2 of these men were later found, mutilated, by the Congo River.[33][34] Massamba-Débat's regime invited some hundred Cuban army troops into the country to train his party's militia units. These troops helped his government survive a coup d'état in 1966 led by paratroopers loyal to future President Marien Ngouabi. Massamba-Débat's regime ended with a bloodless coup in September 1968.[31]
Marien Ngouabi, who had participated in the coup, assumed the presidency on 31 December 1968. One year later, Ngouabi proclaimed the Congo Africa's first "people's republic", the People's Republic of the Congo, and announced the decision of the National Revolutionary Movement to change its name to the Congolese Labour Party (PCT). He survived an attempted coup in 1972 and was assassinated on 18 March 1977.[35] An 11-member Military Committee of the Party (CMP) was then named to head an interim government, with Joachim Yhombi-Opango serving as president. Two years later, Yhombi-Opango was forced from power, and Denis Sassou Nguesso became the new president.[21]
Sassou Nguesso aligned the country with the Eastern Bloc and signed a 20-year friendship pact with the Soviet Union. Over the years, Sassou had to rely more on political repression and less on patronage to maintain his dictatorship.[36] The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in the ending of Soviet aid to prop up the regime, and it abdicated power.
Pascal Lissouba who became Congo's first elected president (1992–1997) during the period of multi-party democracy attempted to implement economic reforms with IMF backing to liberalize the economy. In the years 1993 and 1994 the first Congo Civil War in Congo occurred. In June 1996, IMF approved a 3-year SDR69.5m (US$100m) enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF) and was on the verge of announcing a renewed annual agreement when civil war broke out in Congo in 1997.[37]
Congo's democratic progress was derailed in 1997 when Lissouba and Sassou started to fight for power in the civil war. As presidential elections scheduled for July 1997 approached, tensions between the Lissouba and Sassou camps mounted. On 5 June, President Lissouba's government forces surrounded Sassou's compound in Brazzaville, and Sassou ordered members of his private militia (known as "Cobras") to resist. Thus began a 4-month conflict that destroyed or damaged some of Brazzaville and caused tens of thousands of civilian deaths. In October, the Angolan government began an invasion of Congo to install Sassou in power and the Lissouba government fell. After that, Sassou declared himself president.[21]
In the elections in 2002, Sassou won with almost 90% of the vote cast. His 2 main rivals, Lissouba and Bernard Kolelas, were prevented from competing. A remaining rival, André Milongo advised his supporters to boycott the elections and then withdrew from the race.[38] A constitution, agreed upon by referendum in January 2002, granted the president new powers, extended his term to 7 years and introduced a new bicameral assembly. International observers took issue with the organization of the presidential election and the constitutional referendum, both of which were reminiscent in their organization of Congo's era of the 1-party state.[39] Following the presidential elections, fighting restarted in the Pool region between government forces and rebels led by Pastor Ntumi; a peace treaty to end the conflict was signed in April 2003.[40]
Sassou won the following presidential election in July 2009.[41] According to the Congolese Observatory of Human Rights, a non-governmental organization, the election was marked by "very low" turnout and "fraud and irregularities".[42] In March 2015, Sassou announced that he wanted to run for yet another term in office and a constitutional referendum in October resulted in a changed constitution that allowed him to run during the 2016 presidential election. He won the election believed by some to be fraudulent. After violent protests in the capital, Sassou attacked the Pool region where the Ninja rebels of the civil war used to be based, in what was believed to be a distraction. This led to a revival of the Ninja rebels who launched attacks against the army in April 2016, leading 80,000 people to flee their homes. A ceasefire deal was signed in December 2017.[43]
In 2023, the Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua, for its savanna ecosystems and post-glacial recolonisation of forests, was listed as a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Geography
[edit]Natural landscapes range from the savanna plains in the North Niari flooded forests, to the Congo River, to the rugged mountains and forests of Mayombe, and 170 km of beaches along the Atlantic coast.[44]
Congo is located in the central-western part of sub-Saharan Africa, along the Equator, lying between latitudes 4°N and 5°S, and longitudes 11° and 19°E. To the south and east of it is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is bounded by Gabon to the west, Cameroon and the Central African Republic to the north, and Cabinda (Angola) to the southwest. It has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean.
The southwest is a coastal plain for which the primary drainage is the Kouilou-Niari River; the interior of the country consists of a central plateau between 2 basins to the south and north. Forests are under increasing exploitation pressure.[45] Congo had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 8.89/10, ranking it 12th globally out of 172 countries.[46]
Congo lies within 4 terrestrial ecoregions: Atlantic Equatorial coastal forests, Northwestern Congolian lowland forests, Western Congolian swamp forests, and Western Congolian forest–savanna mosaic.[47] Since the country is located on the Equator, the climate is more consistent year-round, with the average day temperature a humid 24 °C (75 °F) and nights generally between 16 °C (61 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F). The average yearly rainfall ranges from 1,100 millimetres (43 in) in the Niari Valley in the south to over 2,000 millimetres (79 in) in central parts. The dry season is from June to August, while in the majority of the country, the wet season has 2 rainfall maxima: 1 in March–May and another in September–November.[48]
In 2006–07, researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society studied gorillas in "heavily forested" regions centered on the Ouesso District of the Sangha Region. They suggest a population on the order of 125,000 western lowland gorillas whose isolation from humans has been mostly preserved by "inhospitable" swamps.[49]
Biodiversity
[edit]Government and politics
[edit]The government of the Republic is a semi-presidential system with an elected president who appoints the Council of Ministers, or Cabinet. The council, including the Prime Minister, is selected from the elected representatives in Parliament. Since the 1990s, the country has had a multi-party political system which is dominated by President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Sassou Nguesso is backed by his own Congolese Labour Party (French: Parti Congolais du Travail) as well as a range of smaller parties.
Sassou's regime has seen corruption revelations, with attempts to censor them. One French investigation found over 110 bank accounts and dozens of "lavish properties" in France.[50] Sassou denounced embezzlement investigations as "racist" and "colonial".[51][52][53] Denis Christel Sassou-Nguesso, son of Denis Sassou Nguesso, has been named in association with the Panama Papers.[54]
On 27 March 2015, Sassou Nguesso announced that his government would hold a referendum on changing the country's 2002 constitution to allow him to run for a third consecutive term in office.[55] On 25 October, the government held a referendum on allowing Sassou Nguesso to run in the next election. The government claimed that the proposal was approved by 92% of voters, with 72% of eligible voters participating. The opposition who boycotted the referendum said that the government's statistics were false and the vote was a fake one.[56] The election raised questions and was accompanied by civil unrest and police shootings of protesters;[57] at least 18 people were killed by security forces during opposition rallies leading up to the referendum held in October.
Administrative divisions
[edit]It is divided into 12 départements (departments). Departments are divided into communes and districts.[58] These are:
Human rights
[edit]Some Pygmies belong from birth to Bantus in a relationship some refer to as slavery.[59][60] The Congolese Human Rights Observatory says that the Pygmies are treated as property in the same way as pets.[59] On 30 December 2010, the Congolese parliament adopted a law to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.[clarification needed] This law is "the first" of its kind in Africa.[61][needs update]
Economy
[edit]The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based mainly on petroleum,[13][62] support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and "overstaffing". Petroleum extraction has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy. In 2008, the oil sector accounted for 65% of the GDP, 85% of government revenue, and 92% of exports.[63] The country has untapped mineral wealth.[13]
In the 1980s, rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance larger-scale development projects. GDP grew an average of 5% annually. The government has mortgaged a portion of its petroleum earnings, contributing to a "shortage of revenues". On 12 January 1994, the devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in an inflation of 46% in 1994, and inflation has subsided since.[64]
Between 1994 and 1996, the economy underwent a difficult transition. The Congo took a number of measures to liberalize its economy, including reforming the tax, investment, labor, timber, and hydrocarbon codes. In 2002–03, Congo privatized parastatals, primarily banks, telecommunications, and transportation monopolies, to help improve and unreliable infrastructure. By the end of 1996 Congo had made progress in various areas targeted for reform. It made great strides toward macroeconomic stabilization through improving public finances and restructuring external debt. This change was accompanied by improvements in the structure of expenditures, with a reduction in personnel expenditures. Before June 1997, Congo and the United States ratified a bilateral investment treaty designed to facilitate and protect foreign investment. The country also adopted a new investment code intended to attract foreign capital. The country also adopted a new investment code intended to attract foreign capital. Despite these success, Congo's investment climate has challenges, offering few meaningful incentives for new investors.[65]
Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. When Sassou Nguesso returned to power in October 1997, he publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was "badly hurt" by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which "worsened" the republic's budget deficit.[citation needed]
The administration presides over an "uneasy internal peace" and faces "difficult" economic problems of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty, with record-high oil prices since 2003. Natural gas and diamonds are other exports, while Congo was excluded from the Kimberley Process in 2004 amid allegations that most of its diamond exports were, in fact, being smuggled out of the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo; it was re-admitted to the group in 2007.[66][67]
The Republic of the Congo has untapped base metal, gold, iron, and phosphate deposits.[68] It is a member of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA).[69] The Congolese government signed an agreement in 2009 to lease 200,000 hectares of land to South African farmers to reduce its dependence on imports.[70][71] The GDP of the Republic of the Congo grew by 6% in 2014 and is expected to have grown by 7.5% in 2015.[72][73]
In 2018, the Republic of the Congo joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.[74]
Congo–Ocean Railway was built by forced laborers during the 1930s. Some colonial architectural heritage is preserved. Restoration of architectural works is underway in Brazzaville, for example, at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne du Congo, which was completed in 2011.[75]
Demographics
[edit]Year | Million |
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1950 | 0.8 |
2000 | 3.2 |
2021 | 5.8 |
Its population is concentrated in the southwestern portion, leaving the areas of tropical jungle in the north virtually uninhabited. 70% of its total population lives in urban areas, namely in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or one of the cities or villages lining the 534-kilometre (332 mi), railway which connects the two cities. In rural areas, industrial and commercial activity has declined in some years, leaving rural economies dependent on the government for support and subsistence.[21]
Before the 1997 war, about 9,000 Europeans and other non-Africans lived in Congo, most of whom were French; a fraction of this number remains.[21] Around 300 American immigrants reside in the Congo.[21]
According to a 2011–12 survey, the total fertility rate was 5.1 children born per woman, with 4.5 in urban areas and 6.5 in rural areas.[78]
Largest cities
[edit]Rank | Department | Pop. | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brazzaville Pointe-Noire |
1 | Brazzaville | Brazzaville | 2,138,236 | |||||
2 | Pointe-Noire | Pointe-Noire | 1,398,812 | ||||||
3 | Dolisie | Niari | 178,172 | ||||||
4 | Nkayi | Bouenza | 104,083 | ||||||
5 | Ouésso | Sangha | 75,095 | ||||||
6 | Kintélé | Pool | 71,629 | ||||||
7 | Oyo | Cuvette | 63,598 | ||||||
8 | Bétou | Likouala | 59,563 | ||||||
9 | Gamboma | Plateaux | 52,652 | ||||||
10 | Owando | Cuvette | 48,642 |
Languages
[edit]Ethnologue recognizes 62 spoken languages in the country.[79] The Kongo are the largest ethnic group and form roughly half of the population. The most significant subgroups of the Kongo are Laari, in Brazzaville and Pool regions, and the Vili, around Pointe-Noire and along the Atlantic coast. The second largest group is the Teke, who live to the north of Brazzaville, with 16.9% of the population. Mbochi live in the north, east and in Brazzaville and form 13.1% of the population.[80][81] Pygmies make up 2% of Congo's population.[82]
Religion
[edit]According to CIA World Factbook, the people of the Republic of the Congo are largely a mix of Catholics (33.1%), Awakening Lutherans (22.3%), and other Protestants (19.9%) as of 2007. Followers of Islam make up 1.6%; this is primarily due to an influx of foreign workers into the urban centers.[3]
Education
[edit]Public expenditure of the GDP was less in 2002–05 than in 1991.[84] Public education is theoretically free and mandatory for under-16-year-olds,[85] and in practice, expenses exist.[85] In 2005 net primary enrollment rate was 44%, a drop from 79% in 1991.[84]
Health
[edit]Public expenditure health was at 8.9% of the GDP in 2004 whereas private expenditure was at 1.3%.[84] As of 2012[update], the HIV/AIDS prevalence was at 2.8% among 15- to 49-year-olds.[3] Health expenditure was at US$30 per capita in 2004.[84] A proportion of the population is undernourished,[84] and malnutrition is a problem in Congo.[86] There were 20 physicians per 100,000 persons in the 2000s (decade).[84]
As of 2010[update], the maternal mortality rate was 560 deaths/100,000 live births, and the infant mortality rate was 59.34 deaths/1,000 live births.[3] Female genital mutilation (FGM) is confined to limited geographic areas.[87]
Culture
[edit]Music
[edit]Media
[edit]Cuisine
[edit]Sports
[edit]See also
[edit]- Index of Republic of the Congo–related articles
- List of people from the Republic of the Congo
- Outline of the Republic of the Congo
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Constitution de 2015". Digithèque matériaux juridiques et politiques, Jean-Pierre Maury, Université de Perpignan (in French). Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Religions in Republic of the Congo | PEW-GRF". Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Congo, Republic of the". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Tampa, Vava (10 April 2021). "Sassou rules like an emperor while Congolese die from extreme poverty". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Elections in Congo-Brazzaville". DW. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Congo Brazzaville's Sassou Nguesso re-elected with more than 88% of vote, early results show". France 24. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Clark, John Frank (2008). The failure of democracy in the Republic of Congo. Boulder (Colo.): L. Rienner. ISBN 978-1-58826-555-5.
- ^ "Congo Population (2024) - Worldometer". www.worldometers.info. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ BOKOLO, Guilesse (8 January 2024). "RESULTATS PRELIMINAIRES". INS-CONGO BRAZZAVILLE (in French). Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Congo)". IMF.org. International Monetary Fund. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "GINI index". World Bank. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ "HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2023-24" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. United Nations Development Programme. 13 March 2024. pp. 274–277. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Nzaou-Kongo, Aubin (2018). Exploitation des hydrocarbures et protection de l'environnement en République du Congo : essai sur la complexité de leurs rapports à la lumière du droit international. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ "World Happiness Report 2024: Most comprehensive picture yet of happiness across generations". worldhappiness.report. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Gates, Louis & Appiah, Anthony. Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, p. 1105. 1999.
- ^ Olson, James S. & Shadle, Robert. Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism Archived 2 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine, p. 225. Greenwood Publishing Grp., 1991. ISBN 0-313-26257-8.
- ^ Bentley, Wm. Holman. Pioneering on the Congo. Fleming H. Revell Co., 1900.[verification needed]
- ^ "DR Congo country profile". BBC News. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ Frau, Giovanni Dizionario Toponomastico Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Istituto per l'Enciclopedia del Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1978.
- ^ Thornton, John K., ed. (2020), "The Development of States in West Central Africa to 1540", A History of West Central Africa to 1850, New Approaches to African History, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 16–55, ISBN 978-1-107-56593-7, retrieved 21 September 2024
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Background Note: Republic of the Congo". Department of State. March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ a b c Olson, James S. & Shadle, Robert. Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism Archived 2 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine, p. 225. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1991. ISBN 0-313-26257-8. Accessed 9 October 2011.
- ^ Boxer, C. R. The Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 1415–1825, A. A. Knopf, 1969, ISBN 0090979400
- ^ "BBC NEWS – Africa – The man who would be Congo's king". 12 February 2003. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ jeremy, rich (2012), Akyeampong, Emmanuel K; Gates, Henry Louis (eds.), "Ngalifourou", Dictionary of African Biography, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001, ISBN 978-0-19-538207-5, archived from the original on 22 January 2021, retrieved 16 January 2021
- ^ United States State Department. Office of the Historian. A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776. "Republic of the Congo Archived 12 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine". Accessed 9 October 2010.
- ^ Robbers, Gerhard (2007). Encyclopedia of World Constitutions Archived 6 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 0-8160-6078-9. Accessed 9 October 2011.
- ^ CONGO REPUBLIC: BRAZZAVILLE RIOTS AFTERMATH Archived 5 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Reuters (27 February 1959)
- ^ "Fulbert Youlou facts, information, pictures – Encyclopedia.com articles about Fulbert Youlou". Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ Alain Mabanckou "The Lights of Pointe-Noire" ISBN 978-1620971901. 2013. p.175
- ^ a b c Shillington, Kevin (2005). Encyclopedia of African history. CRC Press. p. 301. ISBN 978-1579582456.
- ^ John F. Clark, "Congo: Transition and the Struggle to Consolidate", in Political Reform in Francophone Africa (1997)
- ^ Bazenguissa-Ganga, Rémy. Les voies du politique au Congo: essai de sociologie historique Archived 1 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Paris: Karthala, 1997. p. 110
- ^ Africa Research Bulletin Archived 13 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 1965. p. 242
- ^ "Congo President Slain by Gunman— Military Group Takes Control, Radio Reports", Los Angeles Times, March 20, 1977, p. I-1
- ^ Shillington, Kevin (2005). Encyclopedia of African history. CRC Press. p. 302. ISBN 978-1579582456.
- ^ Country Report Congo-Brazzaville. The Economist Intelligence Unit. 2003. p. 24. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "Congo, Republic of". Freedom House. 2006. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
- ^ "Congo approves new constitution". BBC. 24 January 2002. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
- ^ "Congo peace deal signed". BBC. 18 March 2003. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
- ^ "17 candidates in Congo presidential race: commission". AFP. 13 June 2009. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
- ^ Vote results expected as opposition alleges fraud Archived 27 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine. France24 (16 July 2009).
- ^ "Congo-Brazzaville's hidden war". New Humanitarian. 18 June 2018. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ Moen, John. "Congo Geography". www.worldatlas.com. World Atlas. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ Map: Situation de l'exploitation forestière en République du Congo Archived 14 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. (PDF) . Retrieved on 25 February 2013.
- ^ Grantham, H. S.; Duncan, A.; Evans, T. D.; Jones, K. R.; Beyer, H. L.; Schuster, R.; Walston, J.; Ray, J. C.; Robinson, J. G.; Callow, M.; Clements, T.; Costa, H. M.; DeGemmis, A.; Elsen, P. R.; Ervin, J.; Franco, P.; Goldman, E.; Goetz, S.; Hansen, A.; Hofsvang, E.; Jantz, P.; Jupiter, S.; Kang, A.; Langhammer, P.; Laurance, W. F.; Lieberman, S.; Linkie, M.; Malhi, Y.; Maxwell, S.; Mendez, M.; Mittermeier, R.; Murray, N. J.; Possingham, H.; Radachowsky, J.; Saatchi, S.; Samper, C.; Silverman, J.; Shapiro, A.; Strassburg, B.; Stevens, T.; Stokes, E.; Taylor, R.; Tear, T.; Tizard, R.; Venter, O.; Visconti, P.; Wang, S.; Watson, J. E. M. (2020). "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material". Nature Communications. 11 (1): 5978. Bibcode:2020NatCo..11.5978G. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 7723057. PMID 33293507.
- ^ Dinerstein, Eric; Olson, David; Joshi, Anup; Vynne, Carly; Burgess, Neil D.; Wikramanayake, Eric; Hahn, Nathan; Palminteri, Suzanne; Hedao, Prashant; Noss, Reed; Hansen, Matt; Locke, Harvey; Ellis, Erle C; Jones, Benjamin; Barber, Charles Victor; Hayes, Randy; Kormos, Cyril; Martin, Vance; Crist, Eileen; Sechrest, Wes; Price, Lori; Baillie, Jonathan E. M.; Weeden, Don; Suckling, Kierán; Davis, Crystal; Sizer, Nigel; Moore, Rebecca; Thau, David; Birch, Tanya; Potapov, Peter; Turubanova, Svetlana; Tyukavina, Alexandra; de Souza, Nadia; Pintea, Lilian; Brito, José C.; Llewellyn, Othman A.; Miller, Anthony G.; Patzelt, Annette; Ghazanfar, Shahina A.; Timberlake, Jonathan; Klöser, Heinz; Shennan-Farpón, Yara; Kindt, Roeland; Lillesø, Jens-Peter Barnekow; van Breugel, Paulo; Graudal, Lars; Voge, Maianna; Al-Shammari, Khalaf F.; Saleem, Muhammad (2017). "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm". BioScience. 67 (6): 534–545. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014. ISSN 0006-3568. PMC 5451287. PMID 28608869.
- ^ Samba G.; Nganga D.; Mpounza M. (2008). "Rainfall and temperature variations over Congo-Brazzaville between 1950 and 1998". Theoretical and Applied Climatology. 91 (1–4): 85–97. Bibcode:2008ThApC..91...85S. doi:10.1007/s00704-007-0298-0. S2CID 120659948.
- ^ "'Mother Lode' Of Gorillas Found in Congo Forests : NPR". NPR.org. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
- ^ "FACTBOX-African leaders' French assets under scrutiny". Reuters. 29 April 2009. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ "Congo leader son fails in gag bid". BBC. 15 August 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
- ^ "Propping Up Africa's Dictators". Foreign Policy in Focus. 22 June 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2009.
- ^ "FACTBOX-African leaders' French assets under scrutiny". Reuters. 29 April 2009. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
- ^ Joan Tilouine; ICIJ (4 April 2016). "Les Africains du Panama (1) : les circuits offshore des " fils de "". Le Monde (in French). Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
- ^ Ross, Aaron (27 March 2015) Congo Republic president says expects referendum over the third term Archived 29 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Reuters
- ^ "Congo opposition holds ceremony for killed protesters". Reuters. 30 October 2015. Archived from the original on 28 November 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ lefigaro.fr (4 April 2016). "Violences au Congo : le government accuse les opposants à Sassou-Nguesso". Le Figaro (in French). Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^
With inconsistent figures:
- The site of the Presidency of the Republic of the Congo Archived 27 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine lists 11 departments, 7 communes, and 76 districts.
- The 2004 Statistical directory of Congo Archived 13 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine lists 12 departments, 6 communes, and 85 districts
- A list of subprefects (higher representatives of State in a district) nominated in December 2008 lists 86 districts. Search "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - Finally, the good figures seem to come from this site Archived 18 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine: 12 departments, 7 communes, and 86 districts
- ^ a b "Pygmies in the Congo treated like "pets": report". globalpost.com. 13 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Thomas, Katie (4 March 2007). "Slaves of the Congo". International Reporting Project. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- ^ "UN expert praises Congo's draft law on indigenous rights". Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2011.. iwgia.org, 15 November 2010
- ^ "Congo-Brazzaville". Energy Information Administration, U.S. Government. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
- ^ Republic of the Congo Archived 4 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine World Bank
- ^ "Congo, Republic of". EconStats. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
- ^ "Congo (Brazzaville) (11/05)". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Kimberley Process Removes the Republic of Congo from the List of Participants". Kimberley Process. 9 July 2004. Archived from the original on 10 May 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
- ^ "2007 Kimberley Process Communiqué". Kimberley Process. 8 November 2007. Archived from the original on 4 March 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
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- ^ Goodspeed, Peter (21 October 2009) "South Africa's white farmers prepare to trek to the Congo". Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2016.. National Post.
- ^ Congo hands land to South African farmers Archived 21 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Telegraph. 21 October 2009.
- ^ "Republic of the Congo GDP Annual Growth Rate". Trading Economics.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Republic of the Congo GDP and Economic Data". Global Finance. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- ^ "OPEC Member Countries". Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Archived from the original on 8 February 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Inauguration de la basilique Sainte-Anne du Congo à Brazzaville". Latitude France (in French). Brazzaville. 31 March 2011. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ "World Population Prospects 2022". United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100" (XSLX) ("Total Population, as of 1 July (thousands)"). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ Congo. Enquête Démographique et de Santé 2011–2012 Archived 22 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Centre National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques (CNSEE), Brazzaville. December 2012
- ^ "Languages of Congo". SIL International. Archived from the original on 23 September 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
- ^ Levinson, David (1998). Ethnic groups worldwide. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 120–121. ISBN 978-1-57356-019-1. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "Congo Overview". Minority Rights Group International. Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
- ^ "Les pygmées du Congo en "danger d'extinction"". Le Monde. 5 August 2011. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Congo, Republic of the". Association of Religion Data Archives. 2015. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Human Development Report 2009". Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
{{cite web}}
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- ^ "IRIN Africa – CONGO: Grappling with malnutrition and post-conflict woes – Congo – Food Security – Health & Nutrition". IRINnews. 8 August 2007. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
- ^ "CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UNFPA Leads Fight Against FGM " UNFPA in the News". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
Further reading
[edit]- Petringa, Maria (2006). Brazza, A Life for Africa. ISBN 978-1-4259-1198-0.
External links
[edit]Government
- Presidency of the Republic Archived 22 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine (in French)
- Chief of State and Cabinet Members Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
General
- Country Profile from BBC News
- Republic of the Congo from UCB Libraries GovPubs
- Wikimedia Atlas of the Republic of the Congo
Tourism
- Republic of the Congo travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Republic of the Congo
- Central African countries
- Former French colonies
- French-speaking countries and territories
- Economic Community of Central African States
- Member states of OPEC
- Member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
- Member states of the African Union
- Member states of the United Nations
- Republics
- States and territories established in 1960
- 1960 establishments in Africa
- Countries in Africa