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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.cg

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3 (2007)

Internet users [time series]

70,000 (2006)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order; fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has surged reaching 16 per 100 persons domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

15,900 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

490,000 (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (2001)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $3.522 billion expenditures: $1.932 billion (2006 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Current account balance [time series]

$912 million (2006 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$5 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$1.449 billion (2005)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. Recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. In March 2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

5.272 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports [time series]

1.8 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports [time series]

6 million kWh (2005)

Electricity - production [time series]

7.341 billion kWh (2005)

Exchange rates [time series]

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002)

Exports [time series]

$5.854 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds

Exports - partners [time series]

US 35.9%, China 31.4%, Taiwan 9.9%, South Korea 8% (2006)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$5.098 billion (2006 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$5.033 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 5.6% industry: 57.1% services: 37.3% (2006 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$1,400 (2006 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

6.1% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$2.035 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

France 21.7%, China 12.1%, Zimbabwe 8.3%, US 6.9%, India 6.4%, Italy 5.1%, Belgium 4.8% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

0% (2002 est.)

Industries [time series]

petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.5% (2006 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

25.3% of GDP (2006 est.)

Labor force [time series]

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

115.1 million cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2005)

Natural gas - production [time series]

115.1 million cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

86.9 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

6,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - production [time series]

267,100 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

1.506 billion bbl (1 January 2006)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.848 billion (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 342,000 sq km land: 341,500 sq km water: 500 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Montana

Climate [time series]

tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

Coastline [time series]

169 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

1 00 S, 15 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them

Irrigated land [time series]

20 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1.45% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 98.4% (2005)

Location [time series]

Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

seasonal flooding

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha

Capital [time series]

name: Brazzaville geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

approved by referendum 20 January 2002

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville) local long form: Republique du Congo local short form: none former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert WEISBERG embassy: NA mailing address: NA telephone: [243] (88) 43608 note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 2.7%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

15 August 1960 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW (signatory), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Legal system [time series]

based on French civil law system and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held in 2008); National Assembly - last held 24 June and 5 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, MCDDI 11, UPADS 11, MAR 5, MSD 5, independents 37, other 22

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Action Movement for Renewal or MAR; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Congolese Labour Party or PCT; Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO]; many less important parties

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 to hope for new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 688,628 females age 18-49: 685,388 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 406,016 females age 18-49: 394,745 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males age 18-49: 38,464 females age 18-49: 38,082 (2005 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (2007)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

3.1% (2006)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; women allowed to serve (2006)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 46.3% (male 885,039/female 873,753) 15-64 years: 50.8% (male 958,992/female 973,445) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 44,994/female 64,387) (2007 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

42.16 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.59 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

4.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

9,700 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

90,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 83.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 88.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 77.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 53.29 years male: 52.1 years female: 54.52 years (2007 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.8% male: 89.6% female: 78.4% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2007)

Median age [time series]

total: 16.7 years male: 16.4 years female: 17 years (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo

Net migration rate [time series]

-3.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population [time series]

3,800,610 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.639% (2007 est.)

Religions [time series]

Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.013 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.985 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.699 male(s)/female total population: 0.988 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.99 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Congo hosts about 63,000 refugees from neighboring states, primarily from the Pool border area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 56,380 (Democratic Republic of Congo), 6,478 (Rwanda) IDPs: 48,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnic Lari) (2006)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

31 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 9 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

registered in other countries: 1 (Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1) (2007)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 89 km; liquid petroleum gas 4 km; oil 744 km (2006)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire

Railways [time series]

total: 894 km narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2006)

Roadways [time series]

total: 17,289 km paved: 864 km unpaved: 16,425 km (2004)

Waterways [time series]

1,125 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2006)

Congo, Republic of the