Congo
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Middle Africa
- Capital
- Brazzaville
- Population
- 6.5 million (2025)
- Area
- 342,000 km²
- Languages
- French, Kikongo, Lingala
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +242
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Before you go
Overview
The Republic of Congo is located at west-central Africa, and straddles the equator. Its capital is Brazzaville.
The country is sparsely populated with the majority settling at cities. The city of Brazzaville is the most populated, and it is located it’s at the southeastern part of the country in inland port along the Congo River.
The Mighty Congo River
The land was dominated by Bantu tribes approximately 3,000 years ago who made trade links at the Congo River basin. This groups included Bakongo, Bateke and Sanga. In 1880, French explorer, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, agreed with Bateke to institute a French protectorate at the north part of River. Afterwards, in 1910, the territory became a French Colony.
Congo Brazzaville gained its independence in 1960 with Fulbert Youlou as the first president. Mr Youlou was forced to resign in 1963 due to workers protest. Then Alphonse Massamba Debat became the president and Pascal Lissouba his prime minister. In 1997, a major civil war took place, supporters of Denis Sassou Nguesso helped by troops from Angola invaded Brazzaville and forced Lissouba to leave. After a peaceful conference in 2001, a new constitution was formed allowing presidential and parliamentary elections. President Denis Sassou Ngueso won the elections unopposed in 2002, he has been in power for almost 35 years.
As of 2018, Congo Brazzaville had a population of 5.244 million, the official language is French and the majority of the population are Christians.
The education system comprises of six years of primary education for students at age six and four and three years cycles for secondary level.
The most popular sport is football.
Their national dish is chicken in moambe sauce.
The Republic of Congo is bordered by Cameroon to the northwest, the Central African Republic to the north, DRC to the east and south, the Angolan exclave of Cabinda to the southwest and Gabon to the West. The country has a coastline of 160km along the Atlantic Ocean.
History
The Kingdom of Kongo and the Teke kingdom ruled the area before French colonisation. The Republic of the Congo became independent in 1960 and was a Marxist-Leninist state until 1991.
Food & culture
Cassava is the staple, eaten as fufu or chikwangue, with fish, saka-saka (cassava leaves) and peanut sauces. Brazzaville is known for its rumba music and the sapeurs, who are famous for elegant dressing.
Wildlife
Odzala-Kokoua and Nouabalé-Ndoki national parks protect western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants.
Festivals & events
Independence Day on 15 August is the national holiday.
Things to see
Odzala-Kokoua National Park, the Congo River rapids near Brazzaville and the beaches of Pointe-Noire.
Interesting facts
Brazzaville and Kinshasa face each other across the Congo River, making them the world's closest pair of capital cities after Rome and Vatican City.
City guides
- BrazzavilleCapital city
- DolisieRailway town in the Niari valley
- Pointe-NoireCongo's Atlantic port city
Cities & towns I’ve visited
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Congo
0 of 2 visited. See every site I've been to.
- Odzala National Park 2023
- Sangha Trinational 2012
My photos from Congo
March 2019 Overlanding West Africa - Oasis Overland
Divénié, Louvakou
Whole trip gallery
Plan your trip to Congo
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
