Africa’s Second Congo — Brazzaville Across the River
The Republic of the Congo (often called “Congo-Brazzaville” to distinguish it from its much larger neighbour) sits directly across the Congo River from Kinshasa (DR Congo). Brazzaville and Kinshasa are the closest capital cities in the world — the Congo River between them is only about 1-2 km wide, and ferry traffic between the two capitals is constant.
The country is about 70% rainforest, making it another key part of the Congo Basin carbon sink. Oil dominates the economy — Congo is Africa’s 5th-largest oil producer, and oil accounts for about 60% of GDP.
Denis Sassou Nguesso has ruled the country for nearly 40 years combined — first 1979-1992, then again from 1997 (after a civil war that he won with Angolan military help). He is among Africa’s longest-serving leaders. The country experienced three civil wars (1993-94, 1997, 1998-99) that devastated Brazzaville.
Congo had a brief Marxist-Leninist period (1969-1991) as the “People’s Republic of the Congo” — the only country in Africa to adopt orthodox Marxism-Leninism, aligned with the Soviet Union.
A Brief History
French colony (Moyen-Congo) from 1880. Brazzaville was the Free French capital during WWII (1940-1944). Independence in 1960. Marxist-Leninist 1969-1991. Multi-party from 1992, civil wars 1993-1999. Sassou Nguesso returned to power in 1997.
Geography and Climate
Congo covers 342,000 km². Atlantic coast, rainforest. Climate: equatorial, hot and wet.
Culture, Language and Religion
French is official. Religion: approximately 87% Christian. Major ethnic groups: Kongo, Teke.
The Economy
Congo has a lower-middle-income economy (~$15 billion GDP). Oil, timber, and iron ore dominate.
Travel Guide
Entry: Visa required. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park is among central Africa’s best for wildlife.
Surprising Facts
- Brazzaville and Kinshasa are the closest capital cities in the world — 1-2 km apart across the Congo River.
- Congo-Brazzaville was the only orthodox Marxist-Leninist state in Africa (1969-1991).
- Brazzaville was the Free French capital during WWII (1940-1944) when de Gaulle based the Free French government there.
- Denis Sassou Nguesso has ruled for nearly 40 years combined — one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents.
- Congo is about 70% rainforest — another key part of the Congo Basin carbon sink.
- The Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park has one of the largest intact populations of forest elephants and lowland gorillas.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.