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גיין באַרען ער זיך קווערר
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{{ג{{יין באַרען ער זיך קווערר
{{distinguish2|the neighboring [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], formerly also known as the "Republic of the Congo"}}
{{other uses|Congo (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{coord|-1.44|15.556|display=title|type:country}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = ''République du Congo'' <small>{{fr icon}}</small><br />''Repubilika ya Kongo'' <small>([[Kituba]])</small><br />''Republiki ya Kongó'' <small>([[Lingala]])</small>
|conventional_long_name = Republic of the Congo
|common_name = the Republic of the Congo
|image_flag = Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of the Republic of the Congo.svg
|national_motto = Unité, Travail, Progrès{{nbsp|2}}<small>{{fr icon}}</small><br /><small>"Unity, Work, Progress"</small>
|image_map = Republic of the Congo (orthographic projection).svg
|national_anthem = [[La Congolaise]]{{nbsp|2}}<small>{{fr icon}}<br /> "The Congolese"
|official_languages = [[French language|French]]
|regional_languages = [[Kongo language|Kongo]]/[[Kituba language|Kituba]], [[Lingala language|Lingala]]
|demonym = Brazzaville Congolese
|capital = [[Brazzaville]]
|latd=4 |latm=16 |latNS=S |longd=15 |longm=17 |longEW=E
|largest_city = Brazzaville
|government_type = [[Presidential republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of the Republic of the Congo|President]]
|leader_name1 = [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]]
|area_km2 = 342,000
|area_sq_mi = 132,047 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|area_rank = 64th
|percent_water = 3.3
|population_estimate = 3,686,000<ref name=unpop>{{cite journal | url=http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wpp2008/wpp2008_text_tables.pdf | title=World Population Prospects, Table A.1| version=2008 revision | format=PDF | publisher=United Nations | author=Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division | year=2009 | accessdate= 2009-03-12}}</ref>
|population_estimate_year = 2009
|population_estimate_rank = 128th
|population_census =
|population_density_km2 = 10.8
|population_density_sq_mi = 27.9 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 204th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2010
|GDP_PPP = $17.108 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=89&pr.y=0&sy=2008&ey=2011&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=634&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a= |title=Republic of the Congo|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=2011-04-21}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_rank =
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $4,426<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal = $11.530 billion<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal_year = 2010
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $2,983<ref name=imf2/>
|HDI_year = [[2010]]
|HDI = {{decrease}} 0.489 <ref>http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDI_2009_EN_Tables.pdf</ref>
|HDI_rank = 126th
|HDI_category = <span style="color:#fc0;">medium</span>
|FSI = 93.0
|FSI_year = 2007
|FSI_rank = 26th
|FSI_category = Alert
|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]]
|established_event1 = from [[France]]
|established_date1 = August 15, 1960
|currency = [[Central African CFA franc]]
|currency_code = XAF
|time_zone = [[West Africa Time|WAT]]
|utc_offset = +1
|drives_on = right
|cctld = [[.cg]]
|calling_code = 242
}}

The '''Republic of the Congo''' ({{lang-fr|République du Congo}}; {{lang-kg|''Repubilika ya Kongo''}}; {{lang-ln|Republiki ya Kongó}}), sometimes known locally as '''Congo-Brazzaville''', is a [[Sovereign state|state]] in [[Central Africa]]. It is bordered by [[Gabon]], [[Cameroon]], the [[Central African Republic]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (formerly known as [[Zaire]]), the [[Angola]]n [[exclave]] province of [[Cabinda Province|Cabinda]], and the [[Gulf of Guinea]].

The region was dominated by [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]]-speaking tribes, who built trade links leading into the [[Congo River]] basin. The [[republic]] is a former [[France|French]] colony.<ref name="cia">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cf.html |title=CIA – The World Factbook – Congo, Republic of the |publisher=Cia.gov |date= |accessdate=2008-12-26}}</ref> Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. The [[People's Republic of the Congo]] was a [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist-Leninist]] [[single-party state]] from 1970 to 1991. Multiparty elections have been held since 1992, although a democratically elected government was ousted in the 1997 [[Republic of the Congo Civil War]].

==History==
{{main|History of the Republic of the Congo}}
The earliest inhabitants of the region were [[Pygmy]] people, who later were largely displaced and absorbed by [[Bantu peoples|Bantu-speaking peoples]] who found 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 [[Kingdom of Anziku|Teke]]—built trade links leading into the Congo River basin.<ref name="dos2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2825.htm|title=Background Note: Republic of the Congo|publisher=Department of State|date=March 2009}}</ref>

[[Image:Court of Loango.png|thumb|left|The court of [[N'Gangue M'voumbe Niambi]], from the book ''Description of Africa'' (1668)]]
The mouth of the Congo was reached by the [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portuguese]] explorer [[Diego Cao]] in 1484.<ref name="DicImp"/> 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, the 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.<ref>C. R. Boxer, ''The Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 1415–1825''</ref>

The area north of the Congo River came under French sovereignty in 1880 as a result of [[Pierre de Brazza]]'s treaty with [[Makoko]] of the [[Bateke]].<ref name="DicImp">Olson, James S. & Shadle, Robert. ''[http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=uyqepNdgUWkC&pg=PA225 Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism]'', p. 225. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1991. ISBN: 0313262578. Accessed 9 Oct 2011.</ref> This Congo Colony became known first as '''[[French Congo]]''', then as '''[[Middle Congo]]''' in 1903. In 1908, France organized [[French Equatorial Africa]] (AEF), comprising Middle Congo, [[French Gabon|Gabon]], [[French Chad|Chad]], and [[Oubangui-Chari]] (the modern [[Central African Republic]]). [[Brazzaville]] was selected as the federal capital. Economic development during the first 50 years of colonial rule in Congo centered on natural resource extraction. The methods were often brutal: establishment of the [[Congo&ndash;Ocean Railroad]] following [[World War I]] has been estimated to have cost at least 14,000 lives.<ref name="DicImp"/>

During the [[Nazi occupation of France]] during [[World War II]], Brazzaville functioned as the symbolic capital of [[Free France]] between 1940&ndash;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''. "[http://history.state.gov/countries/congo-republic Republic of the Congo]". Accessed 9 October 2010.</ref> The Conference of 1944 heralded a period of major 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 also received 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, the AEF was dissolved and its constituent parts reformed into autonomous colonies within the [[French Community]]. During these reforms, Middle Congo became known as the Republic of the Congo in 1958<ref>United States State Department. Bureau of African Affairs. ''Background Notes''. "[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2825.htm Republic of the Congo]". Accessed 9 October 2011.</ref> and published its first constitution in 1959.<ref>Robbers, Gerhard. ''[http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=M3A-xgf1yM4C Encyclopedia of World Constitutions]''. Infobase Publishing, 2007. ISBN: 0816060789. Accessed 9 October 2011.</ref> Antagonism between the pro-[[Jacques Opangault|Opangault]] [[Mbochi]]s and the pro-[[Fulbert Youlou|Youlou]] [[Balali]]s resulted in a series of riots in Brazzaville in February 1959, which had to be subdued by the French army.

The Republic of the Congo was granted full independence from France 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]]. Under the 1963 constitution, Massamba-Débat was elected President for a five-year term.<ref name="dos2009"/> The regime adopted "[[scientific socialism]]" as the country's constitutional ideology.<ref name="shillington301"/>

In 1965, Congo established relations with the [[Soviet Union]], the [[People's Republic of China]], [[North Korea]] and [[North Vietnam]].<ref name="shillington301">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of African history|author=Kevin Shillington|page=301}}</ref> Massamba-Débat was unable to reconcile various institutional and ideological factions<ref name="shillington301"/> and his regime ended abruptly with an August 1968 [[coup d'état]]. [[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 Party of Labour|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 [[Joachim Yhombi-Opango]] to serve as President of the Republic. Two years later, Yhombi-Opango was forced from power and [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]] become the new president.<ref name="dos2009"/>

Sassou Nguesso aligned the country with the [[Eastern Bloc]] and signed a twenty-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=Kevin Shillington|page=302}}</ref>

[[Pascal Lissouba]], another socialist who followed Sassou as president, did not bring much change. He delayed economic reforms.<ref name="shillington303">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of African history|author=Kevin Shillington|page=303}}</ref>

Congo's democratic progress was derailed in 1997 when Lissouba and Sassou started to fight over power. 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, the Angolan socialist regime began an invasion of Congo to install Sassou to power. In mid-October, the Lissouba government fell. Soon thereafter, Sassou declared himself President.<ref name="dos2009"/>

In the controversial [[Republic of the Congo presidential election, 2002|elections in 2002]], Sassou won with almost 90% 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.<ref name="freedomhouse">{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&year=2006&country=7093|title=Congo, Republic of (Brazzaville) |year=2006| publisher=[[Freedom House]] | accessdate=2009-06-12}}</ref> A new [[constitution]], agreed upon by [[Republic of the Congo constitutional referendum, 2002|referendum in January 2002]], granted the president new powers, extended his term to seven 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 single-party state.<ref>{{cite news|title=Congo approves new constitution | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1779007.stm | date=24 January 2002 | publisher=BBC | accessdate=2009-06-12}}</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>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2859881.stm | title=Congo peace deal signed | date=18 March 2003 | publisher=BBC |accessdate=2009-06-15}}</ref>

The regime held [[Republic of the Congo presidential election, 2009|the presidential election in July 2009]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jqfjSxI0cOeNG4TITywUuuQMNTGA | title=17 candidates in Congo presidential race: commission | publisher=AFP | date=June 13, 2009‎ |accessdate=2009-06-15}}</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]. France24</ref> The regime announced Sassou as the winner.

==Government and politics==
{{main|Politics of the Republic of the Congo}}<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
{{see also|Foreign relations of the Republic of the Congo|Military of the Republic of the Congo}}
Congo-Brazzaville has had a multi-party political system since the early 1990s, although the system is heavily dominated by President [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]]; he has lacked serious competition in the presidential elections held under his rule. Sassou Nguesso is backed by his own [[Congolese Labour Party]] (PCT) as well as a range of smaller parties.

Internationally, Sassou's regime has been hit by corruption revelations despite attempts to censor them. One French investigation found over 110 bank accounts and dozens of lavish properties in France; Sassou denounced embezzlement investigations as "racist" and "colonial".<ref>{{cite web|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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/6209|title=Propping Up Africa's Dictators|publisher=Foreign Policy In Focus|date=June 22, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/idAFLR9382820090429?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0|title=FACTBOX-African leaders' French assets under scrutiny|publisher=Reuters|date=April 29, 2009 }}</ref>

==Human rights==
{{main|Human rights in the Republic of the Congo}}
As of 2008, the main media are owned by the government but many more privately-run forms of media are being created. There is one government-owned television station and around 10 small private television channels.

Many [[Pygmies]] in Congo live in precarious conditions, to which UNICEF and human-rights activists have voiced their concerns <ref name="internationalreportingproject">
{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Thomas |title=Slaves of the Congo http://internationalreportingproject.org/stories/detail/slaves-of-the-congo/ |publisher=International Reporting Project|date=2007-03-04 |accessdate=2008-09-29}}</ref> On the 30th December 2010, the [[Parliament of the Republic of the Congo|Congolese parliament]] adopted a law for the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. This law is the first of its kind in Africa, and its adoption is a historic development for indigenous peoples on the continent.<ref>http://www.iwgia.org/sw153.asp#516_35010</ref>

==Administrative divisions==
{{main|Departments of the Republic of the Congo|Communes of the Republic of the Congo|Districts of the Republic of the Congo}}
{{Departments of the Republic of the Congo Image Map}}
The Republic of the Congo is divided into 12 [[Departments of the Republic of the Congo|''départements'']] (departments). Departments are divided into communes and/or districts.<ref>With inconsistent figures:
* The [http://www.presidence.cg/congo/administration.php site of the Presidency of the Republic of Congo] lists 11 departments, 7 communes, and 76 districts.
* The 2004 [http://www.cnsee.org/Publication/Annuaire_04.pdf Statistical directory of Congo] 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[http://www.zenga-mambu.com/fiche.php?id=693]
* Finally, the good figures seem to come from [http://www.congo-siteportail.info/Les-donnees-generales-sur-le-Congo_a18.html this site]: 12 departments, 7 communes, and 86 districts</ref>
These are:
{{columns
|col1 =
* [[Bouenza]]
* [[Cuvette Region|Cuvette]]
* [[Cuvette-Ouest]]
* [[Kouilou Region|Kouilou]]
* [[Lékoumou]]
* [[Brazzaville]]
|col2 =
* [[Likouala Region|Likouala]]
* [[Niari Region|Niari]]
* [[Plateaux Region, Congo|Plateaux]]
* [[Pool Region|Pool]]
* [[Sangha Region|Sangha]]
* [[Pointe Noire]]
}}

{{clear}}

==Geography and climate==
{{main|Geography of the Republic of the Congo}}
[[Image:Congo republic sm04.png|thumb|Map of the Republic of the Congo]]
[[Image:Chutes Livingstone.jpg|thumb|left|View of [[Livingstone Falls]].]]
[[Image:Climate Brazzaville.svg|thumb|Climate diagram for [[Brazzaville]]]]
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 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.

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.

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. 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]</ref>

Since the country is located on the Equator, the climate is consistent year-round, with the average day temperature being 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 south in the [[Kouilou-Niari River|Niari]] valley to over {{convert|2000|mm|in}} in central parts of the country. 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
| url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/ah8jx745740m4353/
| title = Rainfall and temperature variations over Congo-Brazzaville between 1950 and 1998
| author = Samba G., Nganga D., Mpounza M.
| journal = Theoretical and Applied Climatology
| volume = 91
| issue = 1–4
| pages = 85–97
| accessdate = 2008-06-11
| year = 2008
| doi=10.1007/s00704-007-0298-0}}</ref>

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>

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of the Republic of the Congo}}
[[Image:Koeh-090.jpg|thumb|150px|left|[[Cassava]] is an important food crop in the Republic of Congo.]]
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/congo2.html| title=Congo-Brazzaville| publisher=Energy Information Administration, U.S. Government| accessdate=2009-06-11}}</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, 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 Congo] World Bank</ref>

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
| url = http://www.econstats.com/weo/CCOG.htm
| title = Congo, Republic of
| publisher = EconStats
| accessdate = 2009-06-11}}</ref>

[[File:Kindepuisbrazza.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Kinshasa]] seen from Brazzaville. The two capitals are separated by the [[Congo River]].]]
Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably 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 at the end of the war 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
| 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 = 2004-07-09
| accessdate = 2008-06-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url= http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/download/getfile/678
| title= 2007 Kimberley Process Communiqué
| publisher = [[Kimberley Process]]
| date = 2007-11-08
| accessdate = 2008-06-11}}</ref>

The Republic of the Congo also has 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 | accessdate=2009-06-14}}</ref> The country is a member of the [[Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa]] (OHADA).<ref name="ohada.com">
{{Cite web
| title = OHADA.com: The business law portal in Africa
| url = http://www.ohada.com/index.php
| accessdate = 2009-03-22
| postscript = <!--None-->}}
</ref> The Congolese government has signed an agreement to lease 200,000 hectares of land to [[South Africa]]n farmers to reduce its dependence on imports.<ref>"[http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2130070 South Africa’s white farmers prepare to trek to the Congo]". National Post. October 21, 2009.</ref><ref>"[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/congo/6398253/Congo-hands-land-to-South-African-farmers.html Congo hands land to South African farmers]". Telegraph. October 21, 2009.</ref>

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of the Republic of the Congo}}

{{bar box
|title=Religion in Republic of the Congo
|titlebar=#ddd
|width=260px
|left1=religion
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Roman Catholic]]|Blue|50.5}}
{{bar percent|[[Protestant]]|Blue|40.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Muslim]]|Green|1.3}}
{{bar percent|[[Animism]]|Violet|2.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Baha’i]]|Yellow|0.4}}
{{bar percent|Other|Orange|2.2}}
}}

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 70% 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|534|km|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.<ref name="StateDept"/>

Ethnically and linguistically the population of the Republic of the Congo is diverse—[[Ethnologue]] recognises 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 | accessdate=2009-06-13}}</ref>—but can be grouped into three categories. 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 Vili around Pointe-Noire and along the Atlantic coast. The second largest group are the [[Bateke|Teke]] who live to the north of Brazzaville with 17% of the population. [[Mbochi|Boulangui]] (M’Boshi) live in northwest and in Brazzaville and form 12% of the population.<ref>{{cite book | title=Ethnic groups worldwide | author=Levinson, David | year=1998 | pages=120–121 | isbn=9781573560191 | url=http://books.google.com/?id=uwi-rv3VV6cC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120 | publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.minorityrights.org/?lid=4141 | title=Congo Overview | publisher= Minority Rights Group International | accessdate=2009-06-13}}</ref>

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 300 [[United States|American]] expatriates reside in the Congo.<ref name="StateDept"/> Nearly 2,000 [[white South African]] farmers have expressed interest in going to Congo.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8317186.stm SA farmers to rent land in Congo]". BBC News. October 20, 2009.</ref> [[Pygmies]] make up 2% of Congo's population.<ref>[http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/08/05/les-pygmees-du-congo-en-danger-d-extinction_1556735_3212.html#ens_id=1259967 Les pygmées du Congo en "danger d'extinction" {{fr icon}}]</ref>

The people of Republic of the Congo are largely a mix of [[Catholics]] and [[Protestants]], who account for 50.5% and 40.2% of the population respectively. The majority of Christians in the country are Catholic, while the remaining comprises various other Christian denominations. Followers of [[Islam]] make up 1.3% of the population, and this is primarily due to an influx of foreign workers into the urban centres.<ref>[http://www.religiouslyremapped.info/others/fulldocument.pdf Religiously Remapped - Mapping Religious Trends In Africa - Dataset of Religious Affiliations]</ref>

===Health===
Public expenditure on health was at 1.2% of the GDP in 2004, whereas private expenditure was at 1.3%.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org">http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_COG.html</ref>
[[HIV]] prevalence is at several percent among 15–49 year olds.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> Health expenditure was at US$ 30 per capita in 2004<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> A large proportion of the population is undernourished.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/>
There were 20 physicians per 100,000 persons in the early 2000s.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/>

==Culture ==
{{main|Culture of the Republic of the Congo}}

===Education===
[[File:SAINTE RITA CONG-BR2.jpg|thumb|250 px|right|School children in the classroom, Republic of the Congo]]
Public expenditure of the GDP was less in 2002–05 than in 1991.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> Public education is theoretically free and compulsory for under-16-year olds,<ref name="unhcr.org">http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,COG,456d621e2,4aba3ee628,0.html</ref> but in practice, expenses exist.<ref name="unhcr.org"/> Net primary enrollment rate was 44% in 2005, much less than the 79% in 1991.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> The country has universities.
Education between ages six and sixteen is compulsory. Students who complete six years of primary school and seven years of secondary school obtain a baccalaureate. At the university, students can obtain a bachelor's degree in three years and a master's after four. Marien Ngouabi University—which offers courses in medicine, law, and several other fields—is the country's only public university. Instruction at all levels is in French, and the educational system as a whole models the French system. The educational infrastructure has been seriously degraded as a result of political and economic crises. There are no seats in most classrooms, forcing children to sit on the floor. Enterprising individuals have set up private schools, but they often lack the technical knowledge and familiarity with the national curriculum to teach effectively. Families frequently enroll their children in private schools only to find they cannot make the payments.
{{clear}}

==See also==
{{satop|Geography|Africa|Middle Africa|African Union|ECCAS|Republic of the Congo}}
*[[French Congo]]
*[[French Equatorial Africa]]
*[[List of Congolese]]
*[[List of African writers by country#Congo (Brazzaville)|List of writers from the Republic of the Congo]]
*[[Music of the Republic of the Congo]]
*[[Public holidays in the Republic of the Congo]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* Maria Petringa, ''Brazza, A Life for Africa'' (2006) ISBN 9781-4259-11980

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Republic of the Congo}}
; Government
* [http://www.congo-siteportail.info/ Congolese Government Portal]
* [http://www.presidence.cg/accueil/ Presidency of the Republic]
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-c/congo-republic-of-the.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members]

; General
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076794.stm Country Profile] from [[BBC News]]
* {{CIA World Factbook link|cf|Republic of the Congo}}
* [http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/Congo.htm Republic of the Congo] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* {{dmoz|Regional/Africa/Congo}}
* {{wikiatlas|the Republic of the Congo}}
<!-- *[http://world.wikia.com/wiki/Congo_Brazzaville Congo Brazzaville] at WorldWikia -->
* [http://members.alertnet.org/db/crisisprofiles/CG_TEN.htm?v=in_detail Crisis briefing on the Republic of Congo's struggle for peace] from [[Reuters AlertNet]]
* [http://www.un.org/webcast/unhrc/archive.asp?go=090506 Review of Congo] by the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]]'s [[United_Nations_Human_Rights_Council#Universal_Periodic_Review|Universal Periodic Review]], May 6, 2009.
* [http://www.irinnews.org/Africa-Country.aspx?Country=CG Humanitarian news and analysis from IRIN – Congo]

; Tourism
* [http://www.congo-brazzaville.com/ Congo-Brazzaville.com]
* {{wikitravel}}

{{Congo-Brazzaville topics}}
{{Template group
|title = Articles Related to the Republic of the Congo
|list =
{{Template group
|title = [[File:Gnome-globe.svg|25px]]{{nbsp}}Geographic locale
|list =
'''[[Geographic coordinate system|Lat. <small>and</small> Long.]] {{coord|4|16|S|15|17|E|display=inline}} <font color="darkblue">(Brazzaville)</font>'''
{{Countries of Africa}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International Membership
|list =
{{South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone}}
{{African Union}}
{{South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = Languages
|list =
{{Niger-Congo-speaking nations}}
{{La Francophonie}}
}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Congo, Republic Of The}}
[[Category:Republic of the Congo| ]]
[[Category:African countries]]
[[Category:Bantu countries and territories]]
[[Category:Countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:French-speaking countries]]
[[Category:Member states of La Francophonie]]
[[Category:Member states of the African Union]]
[[Category:Republics]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1960]]
[[Category:Member states of the United Nations]]

<!--Other languages-->

[[af:Republiek van die Kongo]]
[[als:Republik Kongo]]
[[am:ኮንጎ ሪፑብሊክ]]
[[ar:جمهورية الكونغو]]
[[an:Republica d'o Congo]]
[[arc:ܩܘܛܢܝܘܬܐ ܕܩܘܢܓܘ]]
[[frp:Rèpublica du Congô]]
[[ast:El Congu]]
[[az:Konqo Respublikası]]
[[bm:Kongo-Brazaville]]
[[bn:কঙ্গো প্রজাতন্ত্র]]
[[zh-min-nan:Congo Kiōng-hô-kok]]
[[be:Рэспубліка Конга]]
[[be-x-old:Рэспубліка Конга]]
[[bcl:Republika kan Kongo]]
[[bg:Република Конго]]
[[bo:ཀོང་གོ་སྤྱི་མཐུན་རྒྱལ་ཁབ།]]
[[bs:Republika Kongo]]
[[br:Republik Kongo]]
[[ca:República del Congo]]
[[ceb:Republika sa Congo]]
[[cs:Republika Kongo]]
[[cy:Gweriniaeth y Congo]]
[[da:Republikken Congo]]
[[de:Republik Kongo]]
[[dv:ކޮންގޯ (ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ)]]
[[nv:Kéyah Káango Náhookǫsjí Siʼánígíí]]
[[et:Kongo Vabariik]]
[[el:Δημοκρατία του Κονγκό]]
[[es:República del Congo]]
[[eo:Respubliko Kongo]]
[[ext:Congu]]
[[eu:Kongoko Errepublika]]
[[fa:جمهوری کنگو]]
[[hif:Republic of the Congo]]
[[fr:République du Congo]]
[[fy:Republyk Kongo]]
[[ga:Poblacht an Chongó]]
[[gv:Pobblaght ny Congo]]
[[gag:Kongo Respublikası]]
[[gd:A' Chongo]]
[[gl:Congo]]
[[xal:Конһлмудин Орн]]
[[ko:콩고 공화국]]
[[hy:Կոնգոյի Հանրապետություն]]
[[hi:कांगो गणराज्य]]
[[hr:Republika Kongo]]
[[io:Republiko Kongo]]
[[ilo:Republica iti Congo]]
[[bpy:কঙ্গো প্রজাতন্ত্র]]
[[id:Republik Kongo]]
[[ia:Republica del Congo]]
[[ie:Republic de Congo]]
[[os:Конгойы Республикæ]]
[[zu:IKongo]]
[[is:Vestur-Kongó]]
[[it:Repubblica del Congo]]
[[he:הרפובליקה של קונגו]]
[[jv:Republik Kongo]]
[[pam:Republic of the Congo]]
[[ka:კონგოს რესპუბლიკა]]
[[kk:Конго Республикасы]]
[[kw:Repoblek Kongo]]
[[rw:Kongo]]
[[sw:Jamhuri ya Kongo]]
[[kg:Repubilika ya Kongo]]
[[ht:Kongo (Brazavil)]]
[[la:Respublica Congoliae]]
[[lv:Kongo Republika]]
[[lb:Republik Kongo]]
[[lt:Kongo Respublika]]
[[lij:Repubbrica Do Congo]]
[[li:Kongo-Brazzaville]]
[[ln:Kongó-Brazzaville]]
[[jbo:kongos]]
[[lmo:Congo]]
[[hu:Kongói Köztársaság]]
[[mk:Република Конго]]
[[ml:റിപ്പബ്ലിക്ക് ഓഫ് കോംഗോ]]
[[mr:काँगोचे प्रजासत्ताक]]
[[ms:Republik Congo]]
[[mn:Бүгд Найрамдах Конго Улс]]
[[my:ကွန်ဂိုသမ္မတနိုင်ငံ]]
[[nah:Tlācatlahtohcāyōtl in Congo]]
[[na:Ripubrikin Kongo]]
[[nl:Congo-Brazzaville]]
[[ja:コンゴ共和国]]
[[pih:Repablik o' t' Kongo]]
[[no:Republikken Kongo]]
[[nn:Kongo-Brazzaville]]
[[nov:Kongo]]
[[oc:Republica de Còngo]]
[[uz:Kongo Respublikasi]]
[[pnb:کانگو]]
[[ps:د کانګو جمهوريت]]
[[pms:Còngo]]
[[nds:Republiek Kongo]]
[[pl:Kongo]]
[[pt:Congo]]
[[crh:Kongo (Brazzavil)]]
[[ro:Republica Congo]]
[[qu:Kungu Republika]]
[[ru:Республика Конго]]
[[sah:Конго Республиката]]
[[se:Kongo dásseváldi]]
[[sg:Ködörösêse tî Kongöo]]
[[sc:Repùbrica de su Congo]]
[[sco:Republic o the Congo]]
[[stq:Republik Kongo]]
[[nso:Republic ya Congo]]
[[sq:Republika e Kongos]]
[[scn:Ripùbbrica dû Congu]]
[[simple:Republic of the Congo]]
[[ss:Tibuse weKhongo]]
[[sk:Kongo (štát)]]
[[sl:Republika Kongo]]
[[so:Jamhuuriyadda Kongo]]
[[ckb:کۆماری کۆنگۆ]]
[[sr:Република Конго]]
[[sh:Republika Kongo]]
[[su:Républik Kongo]]
[[fi:Kongon tasavalta]]
[[sv:Kongo-Brazzaville]]
[[tl:Republika ng Konggo]]
[[ta:கொங்கோ குடியரசு]]
[[te:కాంగో రిపబ్లిక్]]
[[th:สาธารณรัฐคองโก]]
[[tg:Ҷумҳӯрии Конго]]
[[tr:Kongo Cumhuriyeti]]
[[uk:Республіка Конго]]
[[ur:کانگو]]
[[ug:كونگو جۇمھۇرىيىتى]]
[[vec:Republica del Congo]]
[[vi:Cộng hòa Congo]]
[[vo:Kongoän (Repüblikän)]]
[[fiu-vro:Kongo Vabariik]]
[[war:Republika han Congo]]
[[wo:Kongóo-Brasaawiil]]
[[wuu:刚果共和国]]
[[ts:Republic of the Congo]]
[[yo:Orílẹ̀-èdè Olómìnira ilẹ̀ Kóngò]]
[[zh-yue:剛果]]
[[diq:Kongo]]
[[bat-smg:Kuongs]]
[[zh:刚果共和国]]

Revision as of 18:59, 13 December 2011

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