Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 is 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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 342,000 sq km
country comparison to the world: 64
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
169 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 1.46%
permanent crops: 0.18%
other: 98.36% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
832 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.05 cu km/yr (69%/26%/4%)
per capita: 13.99 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
seasonal flooding
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,574,099 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 45.1% (male 1,020,784/female 1,006,148)
15-24 years: 20.6% (male 464,410/female 460,955)
25-54 years: 28.2% (male 636,447/female 628,629)
55-64 years: 3.4% (male 67,117/female 84,919)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 50,358/female 72,922) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 84.9 %
youth dependency ratio: 78.7 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.3 %
potential support ratio: 15.9 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 17.1 years
male: 16.9 years
female: 17.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.86% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39.63 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.03 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 63.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.84% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BRAZZAVILLE (capital) 1.611 million (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.8 (2011-12 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
560 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 16
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 72.45 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 16
male: 77.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 66.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 55.6 years
country comparison to the world: 201
male: 54.27 years
female: 56.96 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.49 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44.7% (2011/12)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.5% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 186
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.6 beds/1,000 population (2005)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
77,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and dengue fever
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 163
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.8% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 60
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 33
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 83.8%
male: 89.6%
female: 78.4% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2003)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 252,171
percentage: 25 % (2005 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Brazzaville
geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12 departments (departments, singular - department); Bouenza, Brazzaville, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1992; latest approved by referendum 20 January 2002 (2002)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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); note - the position of prime minister was abolished in September 2009
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 July 2009 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso 78.6%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 7.5%, Nicephore Fylla de SAINT-EUDES 7%, other 6.9%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (72 seats; members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (139 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 5 August 2008 (next to be held in July 2014); National Assembly - last held on 15 July and 5 August 2012 (next to be held in 2018)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RMP 33, FDU 23, UPADS 2, independents 7, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT (and allies) 117, UPADS 7, independents 12, vacant 3
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges elected by parliament and serve until retirement age
subordinate courts: courts of appeal; regional and district courts; employment tribunals; juvenile courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Action Movement for Renewal or MAR
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI (since 31 July 2001)
chancery: 1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan (since 12 August 2013)
embassy: 70-83 Section D, Maya-Maya Boulevard, Brazzaville;
mailing address: B.P. 1015, Brazzaville
telephone: [242] 06 612-200
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lion; elephant
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese)
lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE
note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The economy is a mixture of subsistence hunting and agriculture, an industrial sector based largely on oil and support services, and government spending. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. Natural gas is increasingly being converted to electricity rather than being flared, greatly improving energy prospects. New mining projects, particularly iron ore, that may enter production as early as late 2013 may add as much as $1 billion to annual government revenue. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF, including recently concluded Article IV consultations. 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 faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. The drop in oil prices during the global crisis reduced oil revenue by about 30%, but the subsequent recovery of oil prices boosted the economy's GDP from 2009-12. In March 2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo, which received $1.9 billion in debt relief under the program in 2010. Congo also restructured old defaulted London Club debt in 2007, which effectively cancelled 80% of its private debt. Contracts with China have increased Congo's publicly held debt. Officially the country became a net external creditor as of 2011, with external debt representing less than 22% of GDP and debt servicing less than 3% of government revenue.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$18.89 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$13.51 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4,600 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
56.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 22.7%
government consumption: 12.5%
investment in fixed capital: 53.6%
investment in inventories: 1%
exports of goods and services: 102.6%
imports of goods and services: -92.4%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 3.4%
industry: 76.8%
services: 19.9% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.89 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46.5% (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 37.1% (2005)
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $5.83 billion
expenditures: $4.949 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
43.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 76
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.8% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.403 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.753 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-1.448 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$187.9 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10.53 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 39%, US 13%, France 9.5%, Australia 8.8%, Netherlands 6.8%, Spain 5.3%, India 5.2% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.45 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
France 19.5%, China 13.5%, Brazil 9.1%, US 6.1%, India 5.8%, Italy 4.8%, Belgium 4.4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.568 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.999 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
559 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
588 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
495 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
559,000 kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
291,900 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
290,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 37
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13,820 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10,710 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,288 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,156 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
946 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
930 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 58
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.858 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,900 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 196
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.283 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 118
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable with services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order
domestic: fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged to 90 per 100 persons
international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 state-owned TV and 3 state-owned radio stations; several privately owned TV and radio stations; satellite TV service is available; rebroadcasts of several international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.cg
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 215
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
245,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 136
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 125
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m:
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 232 km; liquid petroleum gas 4 km; oil 982 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 886 km
country comparison to the world: 94
narrow gauge: 886 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 17,289 km
country comparison to the world: 118
paved: 864 km
unpaved: 16,425 km (2004)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,120 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers above Brazzaville; there are many ferries across the river to Kinshasa; the Congo south of Brazzaville-Kinshasa to the coast is not navigable because of rapids, thereby necessitating a rail connection to Pointe Noire; other rivers are used for local traffic only) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 62
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
registered in other countries: 1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo 1) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 155
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Pointe-Noire
river port(s): Brazzaville (Congo); Impfondo (Oubangi); Ouesso (Sangha); Oyo (Alima)
oil/gas terminal(s): Djeno
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise); Gendarmerie; Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service; women can serve in the Armed Forces (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 928,664
females age 16-49: 914,265 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 577,944
females age 16-49: 566,587 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 50,000
female: 49,641 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is undefined except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area