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|  | REPUBLIC OF CONGO COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Congo is situated in Africa, bounded by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, the Angolan Cabinda Enclave and the Atlantic. Vast areas are swamps, grassland or thick forests with rivers. The vast River Congo draws much of its water from swamp lands in the north. The narrow sandy coastal plain is broken by lagoons behind which rise the Mayombe Mountains. The capital, Brazzaville, lies on the west side of Malebo Pool on the River Congo. Sights include the beautiful Basilique Ste Anne, the Temple Mosque and the Municipal Gardens. To the south of Brazzaville are the Congo Rapids (9km/6 miles away) and the Loufoulakari Falls. Waterskiing on the Congo and Kouillou rivers is a popular sporting activity in peacetime. The main coastal town is Pointe-Noire (with its lively evening market) and there are good beaches close by in the Côte Sauvage region. Some restaurants specialise in African dishes such as piri piri chicken and Mouambe chicken in palm oil. Local musicians are popular in the main towns. Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire have several nightclubs. 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 installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but ushered in a period of ethnic 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 with significant potential for offshore development. 10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha. 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, contributing to a shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. 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. However, 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. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | The capital city of Brazzaville is situated on the west side of Malebo Pool on the River Congo. Sights to see include the beautiful Basilique Ste Anne, the colourful suburb of Poto Poto, the Temple Mosque, the markets at Oluendze and Moungali, the National Museum, the Municipal Gardens and the house constructed for de Gaulle when Brazzaville was the capital of Free France. There is a golf course at the Cité du Djoué. The first church in Congo was built in 1882 by a French priest and is located in Linzolo 30km (19 miles) from the capital. The city is also home to the regional seat of the World Health Organization and a good market. 150km (90 miles) north of the capital is the historic village of M'Bé, the capital of King Makoko. Also in this region is Lac Bleu with good fishing available and the Valley of Butterflies.
To the south of Brazzaville are the Congo Rapids (9km/6 miles away by tarred road), the Loufoulakari Falls and the Trou de Dieu, above which there is a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
The main town on the coast is Pointe-Noire (with its lively evening market), and there are several good beaches close by in the region known as the Côte Sauvage. Around 20km (12 miles) from the city are the villages of Loango and Diosso. Loango was the main embarkation port for slaves and it is estimated that more than 2 million people were transported from here. The Gorges of Diosso, spectacular cliffs formed by the erosion of the sea and the wind, are worth visiting.
The landscape in the north of the country is distinguished by huge tracts of virgin forest with an abundance of wildlife. The forest is also home to several indigenous tribes who have maintained their traditional way of life.
Note
At present, travel outside Brazzaville and Pointe Noire is inadvisable, owing to political instability. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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