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Geography of Congo Republic

Location:Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates:1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 342,000 sq km
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:total: 5,504 km
border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km
Coastline:169 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain:coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources:petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Land use:arable land: 1.45%
permanent crops: 0.15%
other: 98.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:20 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:seasonal flooding
Environment - current issues:air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them

Congo Republic Quickstats

  • Population: 3,800,610
  • Area: 342,000 sq km
  • Density: 12 /km² (204th)
  • GDP (total): $4.585 billion (154th)
  • GDP (per capita): $1,369 (161st)
  • Literacy: 83.8%

Languages of Congo Republic

  • French
  • Lingala and Monokutuba
  • Other

Useful to know

  • Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
  • Dial code: +242

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