Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Africa

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Geography

• Area: 212,509 sq mi; slightly smaller than Montana        
• Capital: Brazzaville
• Climate: Tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity.
• Features: About 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them.

Current Environmental Issues

Air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation.

People

• Nationality: Congolese
• Population: 4,243,923 (July 2011 est.)
• Primary ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%.
• Religions: Christian 50%, Animist 48%, Muslim 2%
• Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
• Literacy rate (15 and over): 83% (Male: 90%/Female: 78%)
• Infant mortality rate: total: 76 deaths/1,000 live births
• Live Expectancy: 53 for men; 56 for women (2011 est.)
• Urban population: 62% of total population (2010 est.)
• HIV/AIDS: 77, 000 people living with HIV/AIDS; ranking 47^th in the world, approximately 2% of the total Congolese population (U.S.A. is #10 with 1.2 million) (2009 est.)

Government & Economy

• Independence: August 15^th, 1960 (from France)
• Number of Political Parties: 10 major political parties and many smaller ones.
• Flag Description: Green symbolized agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red has been associated with the struggle for independence.
• Natural resources: Petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
• Average annual income per person: $4,100 (2010 est.)
• Unemployment Rate: NA
• Population Below Poverty Line: NA

Transnational Issues

Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and exploitation; girls are trafficked from rural areas within the country and from other African countries for domestic servitude, forced market vending and forced labor in the fishing industry.

• Refugees (country of origin): 46,341 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,564 (Rwanda)
• IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons): 48,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnic Lari)

Culture

Food: Food habits depend on the tribe and village. If a family has a totem, it cannot eat that animal which is considered a spiritual protector. Cassava is a staple food. Palm oil and peanuts are used in many recipes. A favorite dish is peanut paste cooked with ground cassava leaves. Vegetables available include: carrots, cabbage, green beans, onions, spinach, squash, potatoes and tomatoes. Local fruits are bananas, citrus fruits, guavas, mangoes, papayas and pineapples (www.worldinfozone.com).

Music: See YouTube.com and visit http://www.afropop.org/radio/streams.php