Official Name: Republique du Congo (Republic of the Congo)
Currency: Franc
Current Exchange Rate: |
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Hemisphere: Northern
Continent: Africa
Location: In W central Africa. Neighbors: Gabon and Cameroon on W. Central African Republic on N. Congo-Kinshasa (formerly Zaire) on E, Angola on SW
Area: 132,047 sq mi, 342,000 sq km
Form of Government: Republic with two legislative houses (Senate 66) and (National Assembly 137)
Population: (2007) 3,768,000
Population Density: (2007) persons per sq mi 28.5, persons per sq km 11.0
Principal Language(s): French (official), Lingala & Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages)
Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Capital: Brazzaville
Capital Population: 1,174,005
Capital Average Temperature: Maximum: 25.0 degrees Celsius, 77.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Major Cities: Ponte-Noire 663,359, Dolisie 106,262, Nkayi 56,686, Ouesso 24,322
Topography: Much of the Congo is covered by thick forests. A coastal plain leads to fertile Niari valley. The center is a plateau, The Congo R, basin consist of flood plains in the lower and savanna in the upper portion.
Economy: G.D.P. $ 13.97 billion
G.D.P. per Capita: $ 3,700
Vital Statistics: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2006): 42.6 (world avg. 20.3) . Death rate per 1,000 population (2006); 12.9 (world avg. 8.6) Total fertility rate (avg. births per childbearing woman 2006) 6.07. Life expectancy at birth (2006) male 51.7 years; female 54.0 years
Government Website: www.presidence.cg
Reference Sources: The World Almanac 2009, The New York Times Almanac 2009, Time Almanac 2009, World Climate website.
