Travellers should avoid leaving Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, and these towns should only be visited on essential business. Consult official government travel advice before travelling.

Congo is situated in Africa, bordered by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, the Angolan Cabinda Enclave, and the Atlantic. Vast areas are swamps, grassland or thick forests with rivers. The vast River Congo draws much of its water from swamp lands in the north. The narrow sandy coastal plain is broken by lagoons, behind which rise the Mayombe Mountains. The capital, Brazzaville, lies on the west side of Malebo Pool on the River Congo. Sights include the beautiful Basilique Sainte Anne, the Temple Mosque and the Municipal Gardens. To the south of Brazzaville are the Congo Rapids (9km/6 miles away) and the Loufoulakari Falls. Waterskiing on the Congo and Kouillou rivers is a popular sporting activity in peacetime. The main coastal town is Pointe-Noire (with its lively evening market) and there are good beaches close by in the Côte Sauvage region. Some restaurants specialise in African dishes such as piri piri chicken and Mouambe chicken in palm oil. Local musicians are popular in the main towns. Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire have several nightclubs.

342,000 sq km (132,046 sq miles).

3,039,126 (UN estimate 2005).

11 per sq km.

Brazzaville. Population: 600,000 (2005).

Congo is situated in Africa, bordered to the north by Cameroon and the Central African Republic, to the south and east by the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the southwest by the Atlantic, and to the west by Gabon. The Cabinda Enclave, belonging to Angola, lies to the southwest, on the Atlantic coast. Vast areas are swamps, grassland or thick forests with rivers being virtually the only means of internal travel. The vast River Congo and its major tributaries form most of the country’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, drawing much of its water from the swamplands in the north of the country. The narrow sandy coastal plain is broken by lagoons, behind which rise the Mayombe Mountains. Most of the population lives in the south of the country.

Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State and Government: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso since 1997. Recent history: In the summer of 1992, the Union Panafricaine pour la Démocratie Sociale (UPADS) was brought to power as the major party in both the National Assembly and the Senate, while its leader, Pascal Lissouba, won the Presidential poll. Over the next few years, there were occasional outbreaks of fighting between the army and militias loyal to Sassou-Nguesso. These intensified from 1997 onwards when, with some support from allies in Angola, Sassou-Nguesso launched a full-scale military campaign against the Lissouba Government. In October 1997, Sassou-Nguesso’s troops took the capital and installed their leader as President. A National Transitional Council was established in January 1998 to plot a course towards national elections and a return to civilian rule. However, over the next four years, the military Government came under sustained military assault, first from supporters of Lissouba and then from ex-Government troops loyal to ex-premier Bernard Kolelas who had been dismissed by Sassou-Nguesso. Repeated attempts at mediation by outside parties failed until, in April 2001, a formula devised by President Omar Bongo of Gabon and backed by the Organisation of African Unity secured the agreement of both sides. Under the banner of United Democratic Forces, Sassou-Ngessou stood at the March 2002 presidential election, defeating four other token candidates and securing 90 per cent of the vote. Kignomba Mbougou, standing for UPADS (Lissouba’s party) gained just three per cent. By mid-2003, the country was largely at peace, although there has been fighting in the Pool region, adjacent to the capital, Brazzaville, between the army and a rebel group known as the Ninjas: although this has been sporadic, it has caused a serious refugee problem with an estimated 150,000 displaced as a result.
lowing the military takeover in 1997, an appointed 75-member Conseil National de Transition was created to replace the parliament. A new constitution, concentrating most powers in the hands of an elected President, was accepted by popular referendum in January 2002.

The official language is French. Other major languages are Lingala, Munukutuba and Kikongo. English is spoken very little.

The majority follow Christian beliefs (mainly Roman Catholic: 50 per cent), with most of the remainder following animist belief systems (48 per cent). There are small Protestant and Muslim minorities.

220/230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting people’s homes. Gifts are acceptable as a token of thanks, especially if invited for a meal. Dress should be casual, and informal wear is acceptable in most places. Mini-skirts and shorts should not be worn in most public places. Artistic carving, both traditional and modern dance, as well as folk songs, play an important part in Congolese culture, which is strongly based on tradition. There are large numbers of foreigners resident in Congo, working as technical assistants, businesspeople and traders. Do not smoke or drink alcohol in public places during Ramadan. Photography: It is forbidden to photograph public buildings.