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Country
(long form)
Republic of the Congo
Capital
Brazzaville
Total Area
132,046.94 sq mi
342,000.00 sq km
Population
2,830,961 (July 2000 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly
take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS
Estimated Population in 2050
6,936,675
Languages
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages),
many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo has the most users)
Literacy
74.9% total, 83.1% male, 67.2% female (1995 est.)
Religions
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Life Expectancy
44.49 male, 50.47 female (2000 est.)
Government Type
republic
Currency
1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
GDP (per capita)
$1,530 (1999 est.)
Labor Force (by occupation)
N/A
Industry
petroleum extraction, cement kilning, lumbering, brewing, sugar milling,
palm oil, soap, cigarette making
Agriculture
cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa;
forest products
Arable Land
0%
Exports
petroleum 50%, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds
Imports
petroleum products, capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs
Natural Resources
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates,
natural gas, hydropower
Current Environmental Issues
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping
of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Telephones (main lines in use)
21,000 (1995)
Telephones (mobile cellular)
N/A
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
N/A
Political
instability is slowly declining in the Republic of Congo, but most of
the country continues to be insecure and changeable. The outcomes of
ceasefires negotiated with rebel militias remains uncertain, adding
to the unpredictability of the security situation.
Consular
advice suggests central Brazzaville and Pointe Noire are considered
relatively secure, but recommends that travel between the capital and
the coastal town should be by air as road and rail links are not safe.
If travel is necessary, keep yourself up-to-date on latest developments.
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