Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo (French: République du Congo; Kongo: Repubilika ya Kongo; Lingala: Republiki ya Kongó), also known as Congo-Brazzaville or the Congo, is a country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.

The republic is a former French colony.^[3] Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. Congo became a multi-party democracy in 1992. However, a brief civil war in 1997 resulted in the overthrowing of democratically elected president Pascal Lissouba and the installation of former President Denis Sassou Nguesso to power. About half the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day

• 1 History
• 2 Government and politics
• 3 Human rights
  • 3.1 Slavery
  • 3.2 External link
• 4 Regions and districts
• 5 Geography and climate
• 6 Economy
• 7 Demographics
• 8 Culture
• 9 See also
• 10 References
• 11 Further reading
• 12 External links

Capital (and largest city)		Brazzaville 4°14′S 15°14′E / 4.233°S 15.233°E / -4.233; 15.233
Official languages		French
Recognised regional languages		Kongo/Kituba, Lingala
Demonym		Congolese
Government		Republic
-	President	Denis Sassou Nguesso
-	Prime Minister	Isidore Mvouba
Independence		from France
-	Date	August 15, 1960
Area
-	Total	342,000 km2 (64th) 132,047 sq mi
-	Water (%)	3.3
Population
-	2005 estimate	3,999,000 (128th)
-	census	n/a
-	Density	12/km2 (204th) 31/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$14.282 billion[1]
-	Per capita	$3,913[1]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$10.774 billion[1]
-	Per capita	$2,951[1]
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.619 [2] (medium) (130th)
Currency		Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Time zone		WAT
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.cg
Calling code		242