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Sub Saharan Africa

Congo

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Map of Congo Last reviewed: 24 February 2012

Country information

Map of Congo

Full Country Name: The Republic of Congo
Area: 342,000 sq km (132,000 sq miles)
Population: 4.01 million
Capital City: Brazzaville (population: 1.28m)
People: 15 main Bantu groups, the largest being Bacongo, Vili, Bateke, M'Bochi, and Sangha. There are also over 70 subgroups and a small pygmy population (making up around 5% of the population).
Language(s): French (official), Lingala, Kikongo and Munukutuba (national)
Religion(s): traditional beliefs (50%), Roman Catholic (35%), other Christians (15%), Muslim (2%)
Currency: Central African Franc CFA (fixed to euro), shared with Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Major political parties: The largest political party is the incumbent Congolese Labour Party (PCT). Other parties include the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS), Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (MCDDI), Mouvement Action et Renouveau (MAR), Mouvement pour la Solidarité et le Développement (MSD) and Union pour la Démocratie et la République-Mwinda (UDR-Mwinda)
Head of State: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso
Membership of international groupings/organisations: African Development Bank (AFDB), Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

HEALTH


The Republic of Congo suffered from disease outbreaks throughout 2011. There were reports of an outbreak of Chikungunya (a viral disease transmitted by mosquito bites) in Brazzaville, with at least 20 confirmed cases since early June 2011 and a further 900 suspected cases.    

An outbreak of measles was been reported in early 2011 Pointe Noire and the Kouilou region. At least 800 people have been infected since the beginning of 2011 -  over 600 required hospital treatment. More than 30 have died.

Malaria is endemic throughout the Republic of Congo. For more information on any health risks, please visit the Republic of Congo Travel Advice page.
Health Needs

Country information

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Travel Advice

Travel Advice: Democratic Republic of Congo


Read about our work in DRC

Standing proud in Kinshasa


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Contacts

Congo

Address:

37 bis Rue Paul Valéry
75116 Paris
France


Telephone:

(00) 33 1 45 00 6057

Fax:

(00) 33 1 40 67 1733

Office hours:

 

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