Congo Republic

The Republic of the Congo, also called Congo-Brazzaville, is a country in Central Africa. It sits along the Congo River and the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the country is covered in thick tropical rainforest. The Congo Republic is different from the much larger Democratic Republic of Congo next door.

Land and People

About 6 million people live in the Congo Republic. The capital is Brazzaville, which sits right across the Congo River from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than half the country is covered in rainforest. The coast has beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.

Culture and Fun Facts

The Congo Republic is famous for its fashion culture. In Brazzaville, there are men called sapeurs who dress in fancy, colorful suits as a way of life. French is the official language. The forests are home to gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants. Oil is the country's most important export.

Fun Facts

• Brazzaville and Kinshasa are the two closest capital cities in the world, separated only by the Congo River.
• The sapeurs of Brazzaville are famous worldwide for their stylish and colorful fashion.
• The Congo Republic has one of the largest areas of tropical rainforest in Africa.

Did You Know?

Brazzaville and Kinshasa are the closest capital cities of two different countries in the world. They face each other across the Congo River, but no bridge connects them.