The Republic of the Congo lies on both sides of the equator in west-central Africa. The northern part of the country contains some of Africa's densest rain forests and swamps. Some parts of the north, in fact, have yet to be mapped. The capital, Brazzaville, however, is a cosmopolitan city. Congo takes its name from the Bakongo, one of the main ethnic groups of the region. The country is often called Congo (Brazzaville) to distinguish it from the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is sometimes called Congo (Kinshasa). GeographyCongo lies east of Gabon, south of Cameroon and the Central African Republic, and west of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Congo has a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The Congo, or Zaire, and Ubangi rivers form the country's eastern boundary. Brazzaville lies on the Congo River. Congo covers an area of 132,047 square miles (342,000 square kilometers). The northern half is part of the Congo River basin and is mostly covered by thick forests. Huge swamps cover the areas around the Ubangi and Congo rivers that are not forested. Savannas, or grasslands, develop in the narrow midsection of Congo and extend over less than one quarter of the country. Almost all of Congo is hot and humid. Annual average temperatures for most of the country range between 68 ° F and 81° F (20° C and 27° C). Rainfall is abundant throughout Congo but varies by season and region. Precipitation averages more than 48 inches (122 centimeters) annually and often surpasses 80 inches (203 centimeters). Plants and animalsNearly two thirds of Congo is covered with tropical rain forest. The thick growth of African oak, red cedar, walnut, and other trees provides an evergreen canopy. The sparse undergrowth consists of leafy plants and vines. The coast and the swampy areas contain coconut palms, mangrove forests, and tall grasses. The savannas are covered with grasses and widely spaced trees. The forests contain monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, elephants, and wild boars. Wildlife in the savanna regions includes antelopes, jackals, hyenas, and cheetahs. Rhinoceroses and giraffes are numerous on the plateaus. Bird life includes eagles, hawks, owls, vultures, and herons. People and cultureAbout half of Congo's population belongs to the Kongo peoples. The other major ethnic groups are the Mboshi, the Teke, and the Sanga. Small bands of Binga Pygmies live in the forest. The small European population in Congo is mostly French. Many Europeans left the country during the civil war of 1997. French is the official language of Congo, but most of the people speak African languages. Almost two thirds of the people are Christian, the majority being Roman Catholic. The rest of the population mainly practices traditional African religions. Congo also has a small Muslim community. The majority of the population lives in the southwestern quarter of the country, and more than two thirds live in cities. The largest cities are the capital, Brazzaville, and Pointe-Noire. EconomyThe economy of Congo depends largely on mining and the oil industry. In the mid-1990s petroleum and petroleum products accounted for almost 85 percent of the country's earnings from exports. The Congo also produces natural gas and smaller amounts of lead, zinc, gold, and copper. More than 40 percent of Congo's labor force works in agriculture. However, the country still does not produce enough food to feed its people. Important crops grown and consumed in Congo include cassava, yams, bananas, plantains, and peanuts. The major export crops are sugarcane, cocoa, coffee, and palm products. Forestry is also an important export industry, though it has declined as oil production has increased. HistoryEarly inhabitants of the Congo basin were farmer-trappers, fishing peoples, and Pygmy hunters. Larger-scale societies emerged in the region between AD 1000 and 1500. Three kingdoms eventually developed in the south—Loango, Kongo, and Tio. In 1483 Portuguese explorers arrived in Kongo. Initially, relations between the Kongolese and Portuguese were good. By the 1530s, however, the need for slaves among Portuguese planters had undermined relations as the Portuguese became involved in the slave trade. Between 1600 and 1800 the slave trade expanded. By the early 19th century the Congo River had become an important route for commerce. In 1880 France took control of the region when Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza signed a treaty with the Tio ruler. The colony of French Congo was officially founded in 1891. In 1910 the French combined the Congo with neighboring colonies to create French Equatorial Africa. Brazzaville was made the capital. The initial decades of French rule had devastating effects on the Congolese population. The French forced the Africans to work for them. Between 15,000 and 20,000 Africans died during the construction of the Congo-Ocean Railway from the port of Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville in the 1920s and 1930s. During World War II, however, French leaders established more liberal policies. In 1946 the Congo became an overseas territory of France, and in 1960 it achieved independence. The first president of the republic, Fulbert Youlou, was overthrown in 1963. The government of Congo then moved toward socialism and a one-party state. In 1970 the country officially became a socialist state and was renamed the People's Republic of the Congo. Colonel Denis Sassou-Nguesso became president in 1979. He improved Congo's relations with Western countries, but the country's economy suffered during his time in office. In 1992 a new constitution was approved. The country dropped the word “People's” from its name and became a democracy. A period of shaky parliamentary government followed Pascal Lissouba's election as president. In 1997 Sassou-Nguesso again seized the presidency during a civil war. The next year fighting erupted between government forces and rebel groups. In late 1999 the government signed peace agreements with many of the rebel groups. Population (2000 estimate), 2,831,000. |