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Congo:
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Other pages in this profile of the Congo:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term. |
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Location |
Definition Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 1 00 S, 15 00 E |
Map references |
Definition Africa |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 342,000 sq km land: 341,500 sq km water: 500 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition slightly smaller than Montana |
Land boundaries |
Definition 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 |
Definition 169 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition territorial sea: 200 nm |
Climate |
Definition tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator |
Terrain |
Definition coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m |
Natural resources |
Definition petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 1.45% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 98.4% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition 20 sq km (2003) |
Total renewable water resources |
Definition 832 cu km (1987) |
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) |
Definition total: 0.03 cu km/yr (59%/29%/12%) per capita: 8 cu m/yr (2000) |
Natural hazards |
Definition seasonal flooding |
Environment - current issues |
Definition air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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 |
Definition about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |