Republic of the Congo Travel Overview
At a glance
Capital: Brazzaville
Official language: French
Currency: franc
Continent: Central Africa
Congo Brazzaville
The Republic of the Congo is only advisable for experienced travelers
Location
According to Countryaah, the Republic of the Congo is located in Central Africa and borders Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola
Travel Congo
The Republic of the Congo is often confused with the much larger Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is many times larger and which it divides by the Congo River. Due to the internal conflict situation, the country is not open to tourism and only a few travel to the country, which has a lot to show culturally. There are no tourist centers in Congo, the country can almost only be visited individually.
Important facts
Alternative name: Congo Republic
Capital: Brazzaville
Official language: French
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Franc (100 centimes)
ISO 4217 code
CDF / 976
Geography
Continent: Africa
Region: Central
Geo coordinates: S 0 ° -13′-40.9 “E 15 ° 49 ‘39.6”
Highest mountain: Mount Berengou (903 m)
Total area: 342,000 km²
Mainland: 341,500 km²
National border: 5,504 km
Coastline: 169 km
Politics
Dependency: France until 1960
UN member since: 1960
Form of government: People’s Republic
Economy
Export goods: Precious wood, diamonds
BSP: $ 3,042,700,000
GDP: $ 2,874,000,000
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 2,920,000,000
Economic growth: 6.9%
GDP share of agriculture: 6.8%
GDP share of industry: 53.4%
GDP share of services: 39.8%
Inflation rate: 2.5%
State budget revenue: $ 10.8 billion
State budget expenditure: $ 1143,000,000
Export: $ 2,362,000,000
Import: $ 974,000,000
Gold and currency reserves: $ 311,000,000
Electricity consumption: 683 million KWh
Gas reserves: 90,610 million m³
Oil reserves: 94 million m³
Oil production: 254,000 million m³
Oil consumption: 7,000 million m³
Cultivation area: 1.78%
Bovine: 134,000 pieces
Sheep: 87,000 pieces
Fishing: 37,000 t
Demographic data
Residents: 3,702,400
Residents in cities: 2,034,700
Average age: 20.9 years
0-14 years: 36.3%
15-64 years: 60.7%
> 65 years: 3%
Population growth: 2.6%
Birth rate: 42.57 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 12.93 / 1,000 residents
Migration: -3.62 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 0.99
Fertility: 6.07 children / woman
Infant mortality: 85.29 ‰
Life expectancy men: 51.65 years
Life expectancy women: 53.98 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: CD
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: COD
ISO 3166 numeric: 180
Top Level Domain: CD
IOC country code: COD
UN / LOCODE: CD
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 18,000
Cell Phones: 462,000
Radios: 473,000
TV: 290,000
Computer: 55,000
Internet users: 80,000
Transportation
Railway lines: 894 km
Paved roads: 1,742 km
Cars: 75,000
Pipelines: 760
Health
Number of doctors: 970
Daily food intake: 2.180 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 100,000
Education
Illiteracy: 15%
History
Foundation: 1960
Last sovereign since: 1960
Religion
Main religious group: Christians
Crime
Prison inmates: 1,400
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 10,000
Warplanes: 30th
Defense Spending: $ 90.3 million
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
Lufthansa (LH) operates the Frankfurt-Pointe Noire route with a stopover in Libreville (Gabon).
There are no direct flights from Austria or Switzerland to Brazzaville.
International airlines flying to the Republic of the Congo are Aero Benin (EM), Air France (AF), Air Service Gabon (X7) and Ethiopian Airlines (ET).
Flight times
Frankfurt – Brazzaville: 15 hours 10; Vienna – Brazzaville: 17 hours; Zurich – Brazzaville: 16 hours 40; Paris – Brazzaville: 12h30.
Departure fee
500 CFA Fr.
Arrival by car
There are roads from Lambaréné (Gabon) to Loubomo and Brazzaville. The road connecting Cameroon is only passable in the dry season. Another road connects Pointe-Noire with Cabinda (Angola). Right-hand traffic. Driving in the dark should be avoided. You can also travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Documents: A carnet de passage is required to cross the border.
Arrival by ship
Ferry ships dock at the port of Pointe-Noire. Every hour from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. there is a ferry across the Congo from Kinshasa (Dem. Rep. Congo) to Brazzaville (travel time 20 minutes). Ferries on the Ubangi connect Congo with the Central African Republic.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
There are scheduled flights to Pointe-Noire with stops in Loubomo and Ouesso, as well as private charter flights to Owando, Zanaga and Impfondo. Airport fees: 3400 CFA Fr on domestic flights.
On the way by car / bus
Roads are mostly unpaved sand tracks and only accessible with all-wheel drive in the dry season. Around 10% of the entire road network (1200 km) is suitable for all weather conditions. Right-hand traffic. Driving at night is not recommended.
Car Rental: A number of rental companies have offices in Brazzaville, a directory is available in the larger hotels.
Documentation: international driver’s license.
Traveling in the city
Minibuses operate in Brazzaville. In Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Loubomo there are taxis without meter, the fare should be agreed before departure.
On the go by train
The route network is operated by the Congo-Océan railway company. There are connections between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire (travel time up to 3 days). Book in advance and not rely on timetables. Children under 5 travel for free, children aged 5-9 pay half.
On the way by ship
Steamers operate from Brazzaville on the Congo and Ubangi. The rivers are of great importance as transport routes.