General information about the Congo.

Republic of the Congo(French République du Congo, kituba Repubilika ya Kongo, Lingala Republiki ya Kongó) is a state in Africa, a former colonial possession of France.

The capital is the city of Brazzaville.

Geographic data

State in central Africa. It borders Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Angola, and has access to the Atlantic Ocean.

Main rivers: rivers of the Kwilu and Congo basins.
Highest point: in the southwest of the country, 1040 m

Minerals

The bowels of the country contain reserves of oil, natural gas, ores of lead, zinc, uranium, copper, iron, phosphorites, gold, diamonds, small deposits of tin, tungsten, tantalum, niobium.

Climate

The climate is equatorial, with constant humidity in the north, and subequatorial in the south.

Average temperature:
April — +26 °C
July — +22 °C

Precipitation: 1200-2000 mm per year.

Population

The population is 4 million (July 2009 estimate).
Annual growth - 2.8%.
Birth rate - 41 per 1000 (fertility - 5.8 births per woman, 10th in the world).
Mortality - 12 per 1000.
Emigration - 2 per 1000.
infant mortality- 80 per 1000.
Average duration life - 53 years for men, 55 years for women.
75% of the population is starving (1st place in the world)
Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - 3.5% (2007 estimate).
Urban population — 61 %.
Literacy - 84% (2003 estimate).
Ethnic composition: Congo 48%, Sanga 20%, Mboshi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and others 3%.
Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (languages ​​of inter-ethnic communication), many local languages, of which Kikongo is the most common.

Religions: Christian 50%, Aboriginal cults 48%, Muslim 2%.

Resorts in Congo

The global popularity of the Republic of the Congo may increase thanks to the newly discovered population of lowland gorillas
The animal and plant world has suffered greatly from the development of man. In impassable areas, only a rich population of elephants, buffaloes, monkeys, leopards and forest birds remained. The climate in the country is significantly different, the farther from the equator, the more pronounced the dry season. The equatorial part is very hot and humid.

Armed and political conflicts have reduced to zero the already small flows of tourists. For a visit, the capital of Brazzaville will be interesting. Beautiful wide streets of the city are decorated with rows of coconut and oil palms, mangoes, acacias, completely strewn bright red flowers. Government buildings alternate with beautiful villas scattered among lush tropical vegetation.

Small shops and markets attract tourists with their goods: wooden masks and figurines, wickerwork and pottery. Wonderful waterfalls on the Congo River and river rafting will not be forgotten.

The capital of the Congo is very dirty and has an anti-record number of cases of yellow fever. Vaccinations are required before visiting. All bottled water is considered dirty.
So far, Congo is not on the maps of tourist routes, but interest in the country is growing. Nature is rich and varied - gorges, rocks, waterfalls, caves. Museums and temples are unique. The animal world is represented in 8 reserves.

The main cities visited by tourists are Mbandaka, North Kivu, Brazzaville, Kisangani, Kinshasa.

Local authorities built in a small town Cathedral where the Catholic religion is practiced. It also works Orthodox Church. Bikoro is recognized as a spiritual province.

Useful phone numbers in the Congo.

Embassy of the Russian Federation Phone: +242055503014

Embassy of Russia in the Congo

Website: http://congo.mid.ru/

Address: Republic of the Congo, Brazzaville,
avenue Felix Eboue, p. 2132

Phone: +242055503014.
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Embassy opening hours:
Monday Wednesday Friday
from 8:00 to 14:00
Tuesday, Thursday from 8:00 to 18:00
break from 14:00 to 15:00

Consular section opening hours:
Monday, Friday from 10:00 to 11:00
Tuesday, Thursday from 15:00 to 16:00

Helpful information for tourists

1. Entry, stay and transit requirements

Passport Validity

A valid passport is required to enter the country.

Possible ways to enter the country

Entry and exit to the country is carried out through the international capital airport "Maya Maya", sea ​​port Pointe-Noire and the river port on the Congo River in Brazzaville.

Transport connection with Russia

There is no direct flight connection. There are three flights a week with Air France (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The cost of a flight from Moscow to Brazzaville with a change in Paris fluctuates depending on the season and averages 2,500 US dollars.

Passport control requirements

When crossing the border, you must present a passport with a valid visa and a completed immigration card, which indicates: full name, gender, date and place of birth, citizenship, occupation, address of permanent residence, address of residence in the host country, passport number , its type, date of issue and expiration date, number and validity period of the visa, purpose of the trip, points of departure and crossing the border of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Holders of general passports, depending on the situation, must also present a return ticket, an employment contract certified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a document on the availability of funds for return, a certificate of accommodation signed by the municipal authorities with a visa from the Ministry of Internal Affairs or a document on booking a place in hotel.

Customs control, incl. procedure for import/export of alcohol and cigarettes

Duty-free import is allowed: cigarettes - 100 pieces, cigars - 25 pieces. or 250 gr. tobacco, alcoholic beverages - 1 liter, perfumes, clothes - within the limits of personal needs, cameras, video cameras, televisions, tape recorders, radios - one item of each item.

If a “laptop” is imported into the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it should be declared at customs, specifying that it is intended for personal use at work. Declaration will avoid paying tax.

Due to the lack of sufficient electronic equipment at the airport to check baggage, inspection by customs officers is usually carried out manually.

Import / export of currency

The import of foreign currency is not limited, while it must be declared without fail when crossing the border. It is allowed to export foreign currency within the amount indicated in the declaration upon entry into the country or, if the declaration was not made, in the amount equivalent to 1.5 million CFA francs (about 3 thousand US dollars). In case of export of foreign currency to large sizes, it is required to present a document confirming the legality of its origin.

Export of jewelry and valuables

The export of jewelry and jewelry is not regulated.

Export of artistic and cultural-historical values

For the export of artistic and cultural values, it is necessary to obtain a special permit from the Ministry of Culture.

Import of weapons (cold, gas, traumatic, hunting firearms) and ammunition

Import hunting weapon permitted under a temporary permit. To do this, you must have a hunting license and a permit to carry weapons. Permission to import weapons is strictly controlled by the security services of the Congo.

Import of cars and petrol

Temporary import of a motor vehicle is possible if the tourist has permission from the customs service to travel.

Items prohibited for import and export

It is forbidden to export rare species of animals, parrots, as well as products made from crocodile skin, Ivory and precious woods (ebony, red, gray) without a permit.

Sanitary control, phytosanitary control, veterinary control, incl. features of import and export of the main types of domestic animals

To enter the Republic of Kazakhstan, it is necessary to issue an international medical certificate with a mark on vaccination against yellow fever (made more than 10 days before entry and for a period not exceeding 10 years), smallpox (less than three years old. The exception is children (who are less than 6 months old) and cholera (valid for 6 months) When importing pets, you must have a veterinary certificate confirming vaccination against rabies.

2. Traveler safety issues

Terrorist threats

Terrorist and provocative actions against Russian citizens not fixed. However, the lack of local power structures practical experience confronting terrorist actions does not give grounds to discount the terrorist threat.

Crime Congo

The criminogenic situation does not cause serious concern, however, according to law enforcement agencies, in
The country has a significant amount of small arms illegally stored since the civil war, and cases of their use have been registered. There were no armed attacks on foreigners for the purpose of robbery.

Visiting different parts of the country

The movement of foreigners on the territory of the Congo is practically unlimited. To leave Brazzaville outside the 15-kilometer zone, embassy employees are formally required to obtain permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, but this rule does not apply. In such cases, in addition to an identity card, it is recommended to have a document issued by the consular department of the embassy (ordredemission (devoyage)) indicating the names of those leaving, the numbers of personal documents, the purpose of the trip, the route of movement, etc.

It is necessary to refrain from visiting the territory of the Pool department south of Brazzaville, due to the presence in these areas of the remnants of anti-government armed groups. The process of a peaceful settlement there has not been fully completed. The situation is complicated by the presence of a significant number of displaced persons and, as a result, high level crime. When traveling around the country, it is necessary to take into account the ban on photo and video filming of state and military facilities.

3. Traffic

Peculiarities

The ease of obtaining a driver's license and the specificity of the mentality of local drivers strong influence to the situation on the road. Traffic rules are practically not observed, road signs and signs are rare, road markings are absent everywhere, traffic lights often do not work due to rolling blackouts. asphalt pavement Bad quality, is not being repaired and is available mainly within the city, which significantly complicates management vehicles. There are few traffic police officers, and there are no stationary posts outside the city.

Main types of fuel, its average cost

Gasoline "Super" (similar to gasoline AI-92) -595 CFA francs per 1 liter.

Diesel fuel - 550 CFA francs per 1 liter.

Availability of parking spaces, average cost for 1 hour and 1 day

The car parking fee is CFA 1,000 (USD 2) per day.

The need to pay road tax and its cost, payment of travel on major highways and its cost

A motor vehicle toll is charged on some sections of the road in the amount of 1,000 CFA francs (equivalent to $2). There are no asphalt roads that meet the definition of a highway.

The procedure for acquiring a compulsory insurance policy and its cost

The issue of acquiring a compulsory insurance policy remains unresolved.

Ability to use a national Russian driver's license

It is possible to use a Russian driver's license, but it is desirable to have an international driver's license.

Car insurance

Car insurance is required. The amount of insurance depends on its form, term and insurance company.

Vehicle rental

It is possible to rent a car with or without a driver. For driving motor vehicle In the Congo, you must have an international driver's license.

What to do in case of an accident

Do not leave the scene of the accident, report the incident to the embassy, ​​call the consul and police officers to the scene of the accident, provide first aid if there are victims.

4. Local laws and customs

Established norms of behavior

Basically, they comply with the norms and rules of conduct adopted in other states.

Punishments for various types of crimes

The severity of punishment for different types of crimes ranges from administrative fines and expulsion from the country to criminal penalties under local law.

Family law of the country concerning the rights of former spouses in relation to minor children after the dissolution of marriage

In accordance with the Family Code, in the event of a divorce, the father has the priority right to the child.

Local legislation on the acquisition of property by foreigners in the territory of the visited country (land plots, houses, firms, etc., the possibility of obtaining residence permits and citizenship for real estate or investments).

Legislation of the Congo does not exclude the possibility of foreigners acquiring property on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. However, the execution of relevant regulations is associated with great difficulties, manifestations of elements of corruption and bureaucracy.

5. Healthcare

Health hazards, typical illnesses

Features of medical care in the country

Qualified medical personnel and modern equipment practically absent. The quality of medical care is extremely low.

Vaccinations

When entering the country, it is required to have a vaccination (confirmed by a certificate) against yellow fever (done at least 10 days before entry and for up to 10 years). It is advisable to have vaccinations against smallpox (less than three years old), typhoid fever, hepatitis "A" and cholera (valid for 6 months). The exception is children under the age of 6 months.

Health insurance

Questions health insurance and the provision of urgent medical care remain unsettled.

Urgent medical care (for adults, children, dental, emergency pharmacies)

There are emergency departments medical care at private clinics. It is possible to carry out simple surgical operations. dental care is at an extremely low level in conditions of poor observance of elementary sanitary standards.

Urgent Veterinary Care

There are private veterinary clinics, pharmacies for animals.

6. Additional information

Fares for public transport and taxis

State public transport(metro, buses, trolleybuses, trams) is absent. Taxi fares within the city range from 1,000 to 3,000 CFA francs ($2-6). The fare for a shuttle bus is 150 CFA francs per stop.

Lunch at a mid-range restaurant

The cost of lunch in a mid-range restaurant is from 20,000 to 25,000 CFA francs (40-50 USD).

Rooms in a mid-range hotel

The cost of living in a standard room of a middle-class hotel ranges from 110 to 170 US dollars per day. The hotel business is poorly developed, the quality of services is low.

Grocery and department store opening hours

Grocery and manufactured goods state and private stores are open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 18.30. Lunch break (including supermarkets) from 13.00 to 15.00. Most shops are closed on Sundays.

Availability of mobile communications, including G3 and G4, the procedure for using a pay phone

There are several mobile phone operators. The connection quality is low. There are no public telephones.

The presence of ATMs and the distribution of credit cards, the practice of issuing tax free

ATMs are available on the premises of some major banks and are available around the clock. Credit cards are not widely distributed.

Mains voltage

220-230 volts.

Availability of public toilets

There are no public toilets.

Distance from the city center to the railway, bus stations and airport, transport connection with them

Maya Maya International Airport is 4 km away. from the center of Brazzaville. The fare to the airport by taxi is negotiable, from 1,500 to 3,000 CFA francs (3 - 6 US dollars).History

information taken from the website of the Russian embassy.

Initially, the territory of the Congo was inhabited by pygmies engaged in hunting and gathering. Later, around the 6th-9th centuries, the Bantu tribes came, who now make up about 98% of the population.

The Bantu tribes (Kongo, Vili, Yombe, Teke, and others) were engaged in hoe and slash-and-burn agriculture (the main crops were sorghum, legumes, and yams). By the time the Europeans appeared, the Bantu lived mainly in a primitive communal system, but some tribes already had slavery.


In 1482, the first expedition of Europeans, the Portuguese captain Diogo Cana, visited the mouth of the Congo River. From the end of the 15th century, the Portuguese began to export slaves bought from the coastal tribes from the Congo to Brazil.

colonial period

At the end of the 19th century, the French appeared in the Congo basin. In 1880 an officer French Navy Pierre de Brazza founded the post of Nkuna (now Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo). By 1883, the French had concluded protectorate treaties with all the leaders of the coastal tribes.

In 1885-1947 the territory modern Republic Congo was a colony France in French Equatorial Africa.

In 1903, the French began to mine copper ore, in 1911 they built the first railway line. By 1934, the colonialists had connected Brazzaville with the port of Pointe-Noire by rail.

In 1947 colonial possession The Congo was granted the status of an overseas territory of France, and since 1958 - the status autonomous republic within the French Community.

By that time in several political parties were formed, the largest of them being the Democratic Union and the African Socialist Movement. After receiving the status of an autonomous Republic, bloody clashes broke out between supporters of these parties, accompanied by inter-ethnic clashes (especially between the Mboshi and Lali tribes). As a result, the Democratic Union won, actually defeating the socialists.

period of independence

In August 1963, the country's leadership was overthrown as a result of a powerful protest against corruption in administrative apparatus against the backdrop of deteriorating economic situation. The Provisional Government headed by Massamba-Deba came to power, and in December 1963 he became president. The National Party was organized revolutionary movement(NRM), which since 1964 has become the only permitted party in the country. A course was announced for the construction of a socialist society (following the example of the USSR), a five-year plan was introduced, and the property of foreign companies was requisitioned.

In August 1968, Massamba-Deba was overthrown in a coup led by Captain Nguabi, former member Central Committee of the former ruling NRM party. Nguabi appointed himself President of the country, Chairman of the State Council, Minister of Defense and Minister of State Security. Nguabi announced the continuation of the course of building socialism according to the Soviet model. In 1969, he created the Congolese Party of Labor (CPT) - the ruling and the only one in the country. The country's parliament was abolished, its functions were taken over by the Central Committee of the CPT.

In March 1977, Nguabi was killed by supporters of the former ruler of the country, Massamba-Deba. Power was taken by the Military Committee of the CPT headed by Yombi-Opango. He ordered Massamba-Debu and his supporters to be shot.

In March 1979, an emergency congress of the CPT was held, condemning the anti-Party activities of Yombi-Opango (deviation from Marxism). Instead, Colonel Denis Sassou Nguesso began to rule the country, as President of the Congo, party chairman, head of government, and concurrently, he also became Minister of Defense, Minister of State Security and Minister of the Interior. Sassou Nguesso, like his predecessors, announced the continuation of the course of building Soviet-style socialism.

In 1990-1991, in the country, as well as on the continent as a whole, there was a significant democratization of political life. The ruling party, the CPT, lost the first multi-party elections and went into opposition.

Between 1992 and 1997, the country was ruled by weak coalition governments, and the result of the continuing deterioration of the economic situation of the Congo was, again, political instability.

In 1997, on the eve of the elections, mass clashes began between supporters of the main candidates, which then escalated into civil war. Neighbouring countries took a significant part in civil strife; the Angolan army played a decisive role in the final victory of Sassou Nguesso. Small-scale insurgent activity continues to the present.

In 2001-2002, Sassou Nguesso undertook a process of restoring political liberalization, and in 2002 he was elected for a seven-year term as President of the Republic.

On July 12, 2009, the next presidential elections were held. In addition to the current president, 12 more candidates participated in them. However, according to many observers, some of them were people specially nominated by the president to split the opposition, while others represented dwarf parties that initially had no chance of winning.

State structure

executive branch
The head of state is the President of the Republic. Elected by the people for a 7-year term, with the possibility of a second consecutive term.

Legislature
The highest legislative body is a bicameral parliament. Senate - 72 members (elected by provincial councils), National Assembly - 137 deputies elected by the population for a 5-year term.

Main political parties(according to the results of the elections in August 2007):
Labor Party of the Congo - 47 deputies
Movement for Democracy and Integral Development - 11 deputies
Pan African Union for Social Democracy - 11 deputies

AT National Assembly 15 more parties (from 5 to 1 deputies) and 34 independent deputies are represented.

Administrative-territorial division

The Republic of the Congo is divided into 10 regions and metropolitan city Brazzaville.

Economy

The basis of the economy is the production and export of oil. GDP per capita in 2009 - 4.1 thousand dollars (152nd place in the world, 8th place in Black Africa).

Industry (57% of GDP) - oil production, production of cement, timber, brewing, production of sugar, palm oil, soap, cigarettes.

Agriculture(6% of GDP) - cassava (tapioca), sugar cane, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa.

International trade

Export in 2008 - 10.85 billion dollars - oil, timber, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds.

The main buyers are the USA 42.1%, China 30.1%, France 5.6%.

Imports in 2008 - 3.1 billion dollars - industrial products, building materials, food.

The main suppliers are France 22.2%, China 18.7%, India 6%, USA 5.6%, Italy 5.2%, Belgium 4.4%.

culture

At local population Congo has long had a rich and distinctive folklore, but written literature appeared only after World War II (1939–45). Literary languages- French and Lingala.

The first Congo poet to speak in 1948 was J. F. Chikaya (b. 1931, lives in Paris). The prose of the Congo is presented by the novelist J. Malonga (b. 1907)

The visual arts are dominated by carved wooden sculpture and masks. Carving is the main type of artistic craft. It covers various wooden objects, pumpkin vessels, earthenware.

In contemporary art, the works of the Poto-Poto painting school-workshop (founded in 1951 by the French painter and ethnographer P. Lods), which got its name from one of the districts of Brazzaville, are the most significant. Focusing on local traditions, Poto-Poto craftsmen created an original style of images. folk life(gouache, watercolor), in which the graphic and clearness of the drawing, the sharp expression of movements, the dynamic silhouettes of figures elongated in proportions are combined with decorative color saturation.

Genre and style features musical culture numerous peoples inhabiting the Congo originated in ancient times and formed into pre-colonial period. The musical creativity of the Bakongo, Bavili, Bayombe, Bobangi, Baboshi and other peoples was limited to the area of ​​folklore.

In 1966, the National Congolese Ballet was created, performing traditional folk dances.

Area: 2345 thousand km2

Population: 77.27 million people (2015)

Capital: Kinshasa

Form of government: republic

Official language: French

Currency: Congolese franc

Geographic location and nature

In two states with the same name: with the capital and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the capital of Kinshasa. Both of them are located in the Congo River basin and on its banks. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), along with Algeria, is one of the largest but African countries. The DRC is located in the center of the African continent. It is crossed by the equator from west to east. In the lower reaches of the Congo River, the country has little access to. The length of the coast is only 37 km.

The country is characterized by an extensive and densest river network in Africa, numerous lakes and huge wetlands. One of the main natural resources of the country is the energy of rivers.

Equatorial and subequatorial countries, with high +26°C and heavy rainfall. About 3/4 of the territory is covered with moist equatorial forests.

The bowels of the country are very rich (various metal ores, diamonds).

Population

In terms of the number of inhabitants, the DRC is one of the largest African countries. The country's population is growing rapidly due to a very high birth rate. However, malnutrition and poor medical care have led to high mortality population, especially among children. The average life expectancy of the Congolese is only 55 years.

The DRC is one of the most multinational, there are over 200 peoples and ethnic groups. The vast majority of the inhabitants speak the widely spoken Bantu languages ​​in Africa. In total, there are more than 700 languages ​​and dialects in the country. Bantu gained great fame, including the manufacture of masks and figurines. About 70% of the population are Christians (Catholics and Protestants). Traditional African beliefs have also retained great importance.

The population is concentrated near lakes, in river valleys and in the metropolitan area. Kinshasa stands out among all cities for its size and economic importance.

Economic activity

The level of economic development of the country is low. About 3/4 of the population is employed in agriculture. At the same time, cultivated land occupies no more than 3% of total area countries. Peasants grow decoy, bananas, corn, rice, sweet potatoes and peanuts. Boiled tubers of cassava and sweet potatoes (the so-called local variety of sweet potatoes) are the main food of the Congolese. The plantations grow oil palms, rubber plants, coffee and cocoa.

The country's role in the world production of industrial diamonds, which are used for the manufacture of especially durable cutting tools, is great. The main ones are concentrated in the southern part of the country, where metal ores and diamonds are mined, as well as in the capital region, where a significant part of the manufacturing industry is concentrated.

The State of the Congo is located in Central Africa, during its short history of independence, it managed to change its name, several times the state symbols due to a change in the political system.

The history of the Congo begins from ancient times, where in the 6th century on modern territory states appeared the first settlements. It was a Bantu tribe whose descendants still live today.

In the 15th century, the Portuguese became the owners of the territory, who sold slaves on the plantations, and in the 19th century the French took over the territory, who founded the capital of the country - Brazzaville. Only in 1960 did the Republic of the Congo proclaim itself an independent state.

Until 1997, the country had a different name - Zaire. Several times the head of government was overthrown, the direction of building a socialist and communist state was chosen. It was not until 1992 that the first free elections, and some macroeconomic progress has been made over the past 5 years. However, conflicts began again in the country, which led to the Civil War in 1997 among the supporters of Lissouba and Sassou Nguesso. As a result, the victory was won by Sassou Nguesso, who has ruled the country since 2001.

Population, economy, culture and religion

The Republic of the Congo is a small state with about 4 million people. Most of the population is urban dwellers, but the country is in first place, where more than 75% of people are hungry.

Congo is a multinational country, where such peoples as the Congo are represented - 48%, as well as Sanga, Teke, Mboshi, there are also Europeans, Arabs and Asians, but not more than 3%. official language French is considered in the country, although for everyday communication are used local languages. Religion among the population is divided into 2 camps, half professes Christianity, and half - various traditional African cults.

Most people work in agriculture, where they grow corn, rice, peanuts and vegetables, cocoa and coffee. However, the main thing for the country is the production and export of oil, the production of sugar, butter, as well as cement and timber. Everything is mainly exported, where the main buyers are the USA, China and France.

The Republic of the Congo cannot submit famous poets, musicians or artists, but the culture of local peoples is quite rich and original. However, such concepts as literature or painting appeared here only in the second half of the 20th century, and in 1966 a national ballet appeared, which specializes in traditional dances.

Brazzaville is the capital, home to 1.5 million people, which is approximately 1/3 of the total population, or 40%.

The city, founded in 1880 by the French, is located on the banks of the Congo River, where most of employed in industry - mechanical engineering, textile industry and leather. Brazzaville - Important seaport connected by ferry service from Kinshasa and Bangui.

Brazzaville is considered a cultural center, there is the largest number of schools and colleges, an institute, National Museum and the theater, as well as the mausoleum of the founder of the city.

An interesting fact about the capital: Brazzaville is located opposite another city - the capital of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, not to be confused with the Republic of the Congo) - this the only place where the two capitals are within sight.

Other cities

United cities and villages (except Brazzaville) is a province in the Republic of the Congo, all divided into 12 departments.

Since 2004, the city of Pointe-Noire, the main seaport on the coast, has been considered a separate department. Atlantic Ocean, through which almost the entire trade turnover passes, several million tons of cargo pass annually. The country's economy depends on the city's economy, because it houses one of the largest oil refineries in all of Africa. The shipbuilding and fishing industries are developed, as well as the sawmill, chemical and shoe industries.

Another large city (the third largest) is Lubomo, where 83 thousand people live. The city was founded in 1934 as a railway station, thanks to the availability of railway transport, it developed rapidly and almost tripled in a few decades. The basis of the city's economy is the timber industry, or rather the manufacture of plywood and logging. The population is also employed in the food industry and non-ferrous metallurgy.

The climate of the Congo is hot and humid, in the north - equatorial, in the south - subequatorial. Average monthly temperatures around the country's capital, Brazzaville, exceed 26°C in April and around 22°C in July, but daytime temperatures in all months often exceed 30°C, while nighttime temperatures drop to 17–20°C. Almost everywhere, except for a narrow strip north of the equator, the year is divided into dry (May-September) and wet seasons (in some regions - into two dry and two wet). The most abundant rains are in March-April and in October-December. January-February is the so-called small dry season, when it rains less frequently. However, the humidity of the air remains very high in all months. The usual amount of precipitation is 1400-2000 mm per year, and only on the coast they fall somewhat less.

Geography

The coast of the ocean is not too picturesque and hospitable: the flat sandy coast is poorly protected from winds and waves, there are almost no bays and bays. To the east of the coastal lowland, 40–50 km wide, the low (300–500 m) Mayombe Mountains, composed of quartzites and crystalline schists, stretch parallel to the coast. To the east of them lies the wide depression Niari-Nyanga, the central low part of which has a characteristic karst relief with sinkholes and caves. In the north and east, this depression is bounded by the spurs of the Chaiu mountains (most of which are in Gabon) 700–800 m high, in the south by the sandstone plateau of the Cataracts. In the center of the country, the Bateke plateau rises, on which the highest point of the Congo is located - Mount Leketi (1040 m). In the northwest, there are elevated crystalline, slightly undulating plains with individual mountains, and the northeast is occupied by a vast, for the most part swampy and flooded during the floods of the rivers, the depression of the Congo. The Congo is also the main river of the country: almost all of its territory (except the southwest, where the main water artery is the Kvilu River) is irrigated by the right tributaries of the Congo (Ubangi, Sanga, Likvala, Alima, etc.), full-flowing and stormy, with many waterfalls. There are waterfalls on the Congo itself - Livingstone waterfalls near the southeastern border of the country.

Flora and fauna

About half of the territory of the Congo is covered by tropical forests, which are a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees. The forests form three continuous massifs: the entire north of the country (the Congo depression, the main surface of which is occupied by swampy, periodically flooded forests, and the plateaus framing it), on the spurs of the Shayu and in the Mayombe mountains. In the rest of the forest area, there were different time destroyed by man and replaced by savannas and agricultural lands. In the national parks of Odzala, Lefini and others, a rather rich fauna is preserved: elephants, hippos, buffaloes, leopards, numerous monkeys, including chimpanzees and gorillas. Diverse birds and reptiles.

Population of the Congo

Congo is one of the sparsely populated African countries. As of 2016, 5,125,821 people live here. Covered with forests and swamps, the northern regions of the country are practically uninhabited (with the exception of a few administrative centers). Almost the entire population of the Congo belongs to the peoples language group Bantu - Kongo, Teke, Mboshi and Mbete. Each of these groups is a conglomeration of several related peoples and tribes, nevertheless differing in language and culture. The main occupations of the inhabitants are cattle breeding, agriculture, and the harvesting of valuable species of wood. In the depths of the forests, the settlements of the smallest people on earth, the Pygmies, who live mainly by hunting, have been preserved.

Big cities

The largest city and capital of the country is Brazzaville, founded in 1880, but the large seaport of Pointe-Noire is considered the economic capital. Other relatively large cities are Jacob and Luombo. The peculiar culture of the peoples of the Congo for recent decades enriched with new directions: for example, the poto-poto style (named after the old African quarter of Brazzaville) became famous in painting - paintings depicting scenes of folk life are made with bright colors, the figures of people are elongated, stylized and extremely dynamic.

History of the Congo

Initially, the territory of the Congo was inhabited by pygmies. Later came the Bantu peoples, who now make up about 98% of the population.

From the 15th century, the Portuguese began to export slaves from the Congo to Brazil. In 1880-1960 - the territory of modern Congo was a colony of France as part of French Equatorial Africa. In 1958, the colony was granted autonomy within the French Community, and two years later independence was proclaimed.

In 1963, the country's leadership was overthrown as a result of a powerful protest against corruption in the administrative apparatus, inspired by trade unions, against the backdrop of a deteriorating economic situation. Between 1963 and 1990, the country was ruled by "leftist" regimes, mostly pro-Soviet. The period from the late 60s to the mid 70s was marked by significant political instability and a number of military coups. In 1979, General Denis Sassou Nguesso came to power, during the 11-year period of his reign, significant pragmatization was noted. political course- proclaiming allegiance to Marxism, Sassou Nguesso in economic terms focused on France and the United States.

In 1990-1991, in the country, as well as on the continent as a whole, there was a significant democratization of political life. The ruling party, the CPT, lost the first multi-party elections and went into opposition. Between 1992 and 1997, the country was ruled by weak coalition governments, and the result of the continuing deterioration of the economic situation of the Congo was again political instability.

In 1997, on the eve of the elections, mass clashes began between supporters of the main candidates, which then escalated into a civil war. Neighboring countries took a significant part in the civil strife; the Angolan army played a decisive role in the final victory of Sassou Nguesso. Small-scale insurgent activity continues to the present.

In 2001-2002, Sassou Nguesso legitimized his tenure in power as part of the process of restoring political life, and in 2002 he was elected president for a seven-year term.

Economy

The Republic of the Congo is a country where most of the population is employed in agriculture.

Agriculture provides 5.6% of GDP. It is focused mainly on the domestic market. The main consumer crops are cassava (900 thousand tons), bananas (88 thousand tons) and yams (12 thousand tons). Sugarcane (460 thousand tons), oil palm, coffee (1.7 thousand tons), cocoa, tobacco are grown for export on plantations.

Industry provides 57.1% of GDP. The main industry is oil industry. Stocks available iron ore High Quality. The manufacturing industry is represented by light industry (production of cigarettes, cement, footwear, soap) and food industry (production of beer and drinks, canned food, sugar, flour). An oil refinery operates in Pointe-Noire.

It borders with Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. It has access to the Atlantic Ocean.

State symbols

Flag- is a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 2:3 with diagonal stripes of green, yellow and red (Pan-African colors). The flag was approved on August 18, 1958, canceled on December 30, 1960, re-approved on June 10, 1991.

Coat of arms- represents a shield, in the golden field of which there is a green wavy belt, covered with a scarlet rising lion with green weapons and a tongue holding in right paw a black torch with a scarlet flame; the shield is topped with a golden stylized crown with a black inscription on the hoop on French: Republic of the Congo. The shield is supported by two black emerging African elephants, standing on a scarlet base, from which hangs a golden ribbon with the national motto in French: "Unity, Labor, Progress".

State structure

Form of government- presidential republic.
head of state- the president. Elected by the people for a 7-year term with the possibility of re-election for a second term.
Incumbent President 1979-1992 and since 1997 Denis Sassou Nguesso

Capital and The largest city - Brazzaville.
official languages- French, Kituba, Lingala.
Territory- 342,000 km².
Administrative division– 12 departments, including the capital city of Brazzaville and the city of Pointe-Noire.

Population– 4,233,063 people It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa. The smallest population lives in the northern regions of the country, which are completely covered with swamps and impassable wet forests. Most of the population belongs to the Bantu peoples; settlements of pygmies have been preserved in the dense forests. About half of the Congo's population lives in cities.
Religion- Christians (mostly Catholics) 50%, aboriginal cults 48%, Muslims 2%.
Currency- CFA franc.
Economy- the basis of the economy is the production and export of oil. Industry: oil extraction, cement production, timber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, cigarette production. Agriculture: cassava (tapioca), cassava, sugarcane, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa. Export: oil, timber, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds. Import: industrial products, building materials, food.

Education – elementary education– 6 years of study. Junior secondary education takes 4 years (grades 7 to 10). Upon completion of this stage of education, students receive Brevet d "Etudes du Premier Cycle (BEPC).
3-year senior secondary education (grades 11-13). Upon completion of this stage, students take the Baccalaureat examination, which can be obtained in different fields of study, depending on the specialization.
Students who have not passed the specified exams receive a Certificat de Fin d "Etudes Secondaires, academic certificate attendance and grades received in the last academic year.
Technical secondary education - upon completion of junior secondary education 2-3 years.
To enter a university, it is enough to have a Baccalaureate.
Sport The most popular are football and basketball. The country has competed in 10 Summer Olympics, making its debut at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Since then, it has competed in every Summer Games except for the Games in Mexico City and Montreal. The Republic of the Congo did not participate in the Winter Olympics. Athletes from this country have never won Olympic medals.
Military establishment- regular armed forces, paramilitaries, gendarmerie, air force, navy. Collection on a voluntary basis.

Nature

Most of the country is occupied by the accumulative plains of the Congo Basin. This is the land of vast swamps and rivers - tributaries of the Congo and Ubangi.

Congo river
The largest valley of the river Niari is famous for its fertility. Further to the southwest rise the Mayombe Mountains, composed of granites, quartzites and schists, with an average height of 700–800 m. These mountains abruptly drop to a coastal lowland 50–60 km wide, which is crossed by river valleys. The largest of them is the Kuimu River, a continuation of the Niari.
Climate equatorial. The maximum precipitation is from March to April. It is at this time that the maximum precipitation occurs.
In the northern and mountainous regions of the Congo, tropical rainforests are common, mostly swampy and periodically flooded. Tall grass savannas are common in the south.
Coffee plantations are the pride of the country.

Odzala National Park and Biosphere Reserve

Odzala Park is located in the southern part of the forest stretching from Gabon to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the southern part, there is mainly a mixture of coniferous forest and savannah; in the north, a continuous forest is characteristic. Large territory The park is covered with marshy forests.

bush elephant
The park is home to the bush elephant, African pygmy buffalo, bongo, western gorilla, common chimpanzee, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, large forest pig.

Big forest pig
440 species of birds, 330 of which nest and breed. To rare species include the forest hoopoe, the red-breasted pied-bellied hornbill, the brown-cheeked warbler, the black-throated apalis, the dark-backed cisticola, and the yellow-capped weaver. The African forest robin, steppe kestrel, steppe tirkushka, great snipe and others also live in the park.

steppe kestrel
The national park was established in 1935. The vast forests located to the north, east and west of the park were annexed to it in 2001.

Tourism

Tourism in the country is practically not developed. This is partly due to the climate, which is very uncomfortable for Europeans: high humidity against the background high temperatures. But the magnificent nature, the richest fauna, unique temples and museums gradually attract more and more travelers. Antelopes, giraffes, cheetahs, crocodiles, many species of birds and snakes are protected in national parks. This is last places habitats of the forest leopard and black gorillas.

culture

Modern literature (mainly in French) began to take shape in the 1950s.
Known for J. F. Chikaya U Tamsi (1931-1988), author of the books "Bad Blood" (1955), "Belly" (1964). Numerous anti-colonial works have been published.

Angie Lopez

One of the most well-known representatives modern African literature isAngie Lopez(b. 1937). This is a Congolese writer and politician. From 1949 to 1965 lived in France. From 1973 to 1975 served as Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of the Congo. His famous novels: Without Tam-Tama (1976), Laughter Through Tears (1984).

The traditional types of folk dwellings in different regions of the Republic of the Congo differ: in the savannah regions they are round, in the forest zone they are rectangular with gable roofs, in the Sanga River valley the roofs of dwellings are woven from twigs and branches and are shaped like a turtle shield.
Buildings of the European type began to be built in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and some other cities in the second half of the 19th century.

Music usually accompanies religious ceremonies: the cult of ancestors, healing and calendar.
Popular woodcarving.

It decorates furniture, wooden household items, calabash (vessels made of dried pumpkin), earthenware, as well as masks and wooden sculptures and figurines.

The contemporary visual arts of the Congo are a mixture of local features and french school painting. Here and expressiveness, and dynamism, clarity and saturation of African colors. Gouache and watercolor are popular.

Peculiarity national cuisine: an abundance of spices and herbs that are added to almost any dish: soups, meat or fish. A traditional dinner in the Congo begins with a rich thick soup seasoned with pepper, saffron, ginger, nutmeg or cloves. Capers, lemons and lots of greens are also added.
In the Congo, lamb with figs, camel and pigeon meat are popular. Often, stuffed or baked fish with cheese is served at the table.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Republic of the Congo

Sanga forest

rainforest and national park, located on both banks of the African Sanga regina on the territory of three states at once: the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and Cameroon.
The forest includes three national parks:
Lobeke in Cameroon;
Dzanga Sanga in the Central African Republic;
Nubale-Ndoki in the Republic of the Congo.
The Sanga forest landscape consists of deciduous evergreen rainforests, forest swamps and intermittently flooded wetlands, lakes, and several types of open savannahs. In addition to the natural beauty itself, the forest is valuable for the opportunity to spend scientific research and hiking trips.
This area is well preserved compared to many other areas in the Congo Basin due to the negligible human presence in it. And now economic activity in the forest is minimal, and the population density around it is low.
They live in the forest various kinds animals, some of them are endemic, others are rare or endangered species. The Sangha River is home to large populations of the Nile crocodile and the carnivorous Big Tigerfish, which can reach a length of 1.33m.

Big tiger fish
African forest elephant populations, large populations of gorillas and chimpanzees, most of which have never met humans, several species of antelope (sitatunga and bongo), buffalo and several species of wild boar.

bongo antelope

Other sights of the Republic of the Congo

Brazzaville

Nabemba Tower
The capital and most populous city of the Republic of the Congo. Located on the right bank of the Congo River. The population is about 1.5 million people. This is one third of the population of the Republic of the Congo.
Brazzaville is the cultural center of the Republic of the Congo. It operates the largest number of primary, secondary and vocational schools in the country. Since 1972, the National University, the National Museum and the National Theater have been functioning.

Top attractions in Brazzaville include Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Anne, built in 1949, the mausoleum of the founder of the city, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, the museum of crafts, the presidential palace, the building of the city hall, the National Museum of the Congo. Notable buildings include the Nabemba Tower and the Air France office.

Nabemba Tower- high-rise building (30 floors). Designed by French architect Jean Marie Legrand and built in 1982-1986. It is named after the mountain of the same name, the highest in the territory of the Republic of the Congo. The tower houses the headquarters oil company Elf Congo, various institutions, offices international organizations including UNESCO.

Monument to Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza

Story

In ancient times, the territory of the Congo was inhabited by pygmies who were engaged in hunting and gathering. Approximately in the VI-IX centuries. came the Bantu tribes, who currently make up 98% of the population.
The Bantu tribes were engaged in hoe, slash-and-burn agriculture and grew sorghum, legumes, and yams. They lived mainly in a primitive communal system, but some tribes already had slavery.
In 1482, Portuguese sailors under the command of Diogo Cana appeared at the mouth of the Congo River. At the beginning of the XVI century. The Portuguese began to export slaves bought from the coastal tribes from the Congo to Brazil.

Colonization

At the end of the XIX century. The French arrived in the Congo. In 1880, an officer of the French fleet, Pierre de Brazza, founded the post of Nkuna (Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo). By 1883, the French Congo was formed.
Since 1906, the territory of the modern Republic of the Congo, after the division of the French Congo, became part of the Middle Congo colony, then it was part of French Equatorial Africa. In 1947, the Congo was granted the status of an overseas territory of France, and since 1958, the status of an autonomous Republic within the French Community.

Independence of the Congo

Fulber Yulu
On August 15, 1960, the independence of the Republic of the Congo was proclaimed. The first president was Abbe Fulbert Yulu, who was overthrown on 15 August 1963 in a strong union-inspired protest against administrative corruption amid a deteriorating economic situation.

Alphonse Massamba-Deba
On August 16, 1963, an interim government headed by Alfons Massamba-Deba came to power, who in December 1963 became president. A course was announced for the construction of a socialist society, a five-year plan was introduced, and the property of foreign companies was requisitioned.
In August 1968, Massamba-Deba was overthrown in a coup led by Captain Marian Nguabi. Nguabi announced the continuation of the course of building socialism according to the Soviet model. In 1969, he created the Congolese Labor Party - the ruling and the only one in the country. The country's parliament was abolished, its functions were taken over by the Central Committee of the CPT.
In March 1977, Nguabi was killed by supporters of the former ruler of the country, Massamba-Deba. Power was taken by the military committee of the CPT, headed by Joaquim Yombi-Opango. Ex-president Massamba-Deba was executed as the leader of the conspirators.
In March 1979, Colonel Denis Sassou-Nguesso became president of the Congo - party chairman, head of government and part-time minister of defense, minister of state security and minister of the interior. He, like his predecessors, continued the course of building Soviet-style socialism.

In 1990-1991 the ruling party, the CPT, lost the first multi-party elections and went into opposition.
Between 1992 and 1997 the country was ruled by weak coalition governments, resulting in political instability.
In 1997, mass clashes began between supporters of the main candidates, which escalated into a civil war. Neighboring countries took a significant part in the civil strife. The decisive role in the final victory of Sassou Nguesso was played by the Angolan army.
In 2001-2002 Sassou Nguesso led the process of restoring political liberalization, and in 2002 he was elected for a 7-year term as President of the Republic.