The Republic of Congo is a Central African nation who's capital is Brazzaville. It is approximately twice the size of Washington state, being 132,046 square miles. There are five countries that border Congo, Gabon on the west, Cameroon and Central African Republic on the north, and Zaire on the east and south. Finally, Angola in the south. The southwest border is the Atlantic Ocean. Also, the equator runs through the middle of the country.
Congo has several different regions. By the coast it is cool, treeless plain. Further inland the land becomes wet and full of trees. In the east it is woodlands and grassy plains. Then in the north, it is mostly grassy plateaus. The climate is considered tropical and the country receives at least 50 inches of rainfall. .
Approximately 2,954,258 people live in Congo. The growth rate is 1.5%, the birth rate is 29.5/1000, the infant mortality rate is 95.3/1000, and density per sq mi is 22. There are many different ethnic groups in Congo. The largest of these groups include the Kongo, Sanga, Teke, and Ubangi. Most of the population lives in either Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire. While 90% of the country's children attend free, compulsory schools, only 60% of the country is literate. .
Forestry and farming are important to the economy of Congo, but mining is the most important. Offshore oil was discovered in 1973 and has been refined and prospered ever since. Other items that are mined include copper, gold, lead, zinc, and iron ore. In 1977 most of the industry was nationalized. The republic of Congo really depends on imported goods. Ninety percent of the meat the citizens eat is imported. They also import other things such as consumer goods and machinery to keep their country going. They mainly trade with France, the U.S., Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Brazil. They export timber, diamonds, and petroleum.
As of 1992 Congo adopted a new constitution that provides for a popularly elected president who appoints a prime minister.
