Congo

1880s – French colonization: France establishes a protectorate over the region, calling it French Congo

1960 – Independence from France (Monday, August 15, 1960): The Republic of the Congo gains independence from France

1963–1968 – Civil War: The country faces internal conflict after independence

1970 – Marxist government: President Marien Ngouabi becomes the country’s first Marxist leader

1991 – Transition to multi-party democracy: Political reforms lead to multi-party elections

1997 – Civil War ends: The country faces civil conflict again but enters a peace agreement and stabilizes

2002 – Denis Sassou Nguesso returns to power: After years of conflict, Sassou Nguesso is re-elected as president

2015 – New constitution adopted: A revised constitution is adopted, altering presidential term limits

2020 – Presidential elections: Denis Sassou Nguesso is re-elected, continuing his long tenure in power

Continent: Africa (Central Africa)
Location: Bordered by Gabon to the west, Cameroon to the northwest, Central African Republic to the north, Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest
Capital: Brazzaville
Language: French (official)
Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Population: ~5.7 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1)

Borders: Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Landscape: Mostly coastal plains, dense rainforests, savannahs, and mountain ranges in the central region
Major Rivers: Congo River, Alima River, Ogooué River
Major Mountains: Mounts Crystal (highest peak in the Congo), Mayombe Mountains in the southwest
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Cayo, Lake Tumba
Volcanoes: There are no major active volcanoes in the Republic of the Congo
Notable Features: The country is largely covered by rainforests, with the Congo River basin occupying much of the land area. It is known for its significant biodiversity and rich ecosystems.

Ethnic Groups: Kongo, Teke, Mbochi, Sangha, and various others
Religion: Christianity (about 50%), indigenous religions (about 30%), Islam (about 10%), and other (about 10%)
Urban Population: ~66% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: The Republic of the Congo has diverse ethnic groups, with many different languages and cultural practices.

Famous For: Music (especially Soukous), dance, traditional art, and cuisine
Cuisine: Cassava, plantains, fish, and stews such as Poulet Moambé (chicken stew with palm oil)
Arts: Traditional dances, masks, and crafts from the various ethnic groups
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, and handball

Economy Type: Mixed economy with oil as the main driver
GDP: Approx. $12.4 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Oil (petroleum), timber, agriculture (cassava, plantains), and mining
Key Exports: Petroleum, timber, manganese, and cocoa
Unemployment Rate: ~9.3% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The economy is concentrated in the southwestern region around the capital, Brazzaville, which is a hub for the petroleum industry.

Government Type: Unitary presidential republic
Head of State: President Denis Sassou Nguesso (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral Parliament (National Assembly and Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 2015, following a referendum to modify it

Brazzaville: The capital city with vibrant markets and colonial-era architecture
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity and wildlife
Lac Tumba: A large freshwater lake in the northwest
Odzala-Kokoua National Park: Known for its forest elephants, gorillas, and biodiversity
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: None at the moment