REPUBLIC OF CONGO- BRAZZAVILLE
The Republic of Congo also known as Congo is situated on the opposite side of Congo River neighboring The Democratic Republic of Congo with which it is often confused. It borders Gabon, Cameroon, The Central African Republic, The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Angola ex-clave of Cabinda with a small stretch connecting to the Gulf of Guinea. It is a much safer place to travel in Central Africa relative to its counter neighbors. Due to recent civil conflicts, Congo is not considered to be a preferred destination for many tourists though the infrastructure for tourism is being developed to attract the tourists of this tantalizing change.
Most of the country is covered with tropical rain forest and dense jungle providing home to a variety of flora and fauna. Congo gained its independence on 15 August 1960 and a Catholic priest Fulbert Youlou was elected as the president. Since then it has been plagued by constant civil wars though the recent peace treaty in 2003 has brought the country to peace leaving only the southern Pool region in tension. The climate of Congo is warm and humid year round because of its proximity to the equator. It is dry from June to August and rains from September to November and March to May. The southwest of Congo is a costal plain and the interior of the country is the central plateau.
ECONOMY
Congo being an oil rich country has petroleum as the major industry accounting for 65% of its GDP, 92% of exports and 85% of government revenue. Diamonds, natural gas, gold and iron are also found here in abundance and exported from the country. Handicrafts and agriculture still form the basis for the villagers in Congo. International organizations like World Bank and IMF are providing support for the economic reforms of the country. Congo is a part of French Monetary and thus has CFA Franc as its main currency tied up with Euro. The US dollars are also easily accepted and preferred. Use of ATMs and credit cards can only be done in larger cities although they also prefer cash. So it is advisable to always carry some hard cash along while visiting this country.
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
The main international airport is in Brazzaville being the capital of the country. There are regular flights of Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, Camroon Airlines and Air Gabon operating few times a week. Tourists can hire buses and taxis from the airport to the city. There is another airport at Pointe-Noire which is 5.5 kilometres from the city. There is also ferry service available between Kinshasa and Brazzaville operating on hourly basis through Congo River. Small fast boats also cross from Ngobila Beach in Kinshasa to the Beach in Brazzaville. Tourists can also travel by road from the neighboring countries of Gabon, Camroon and The Democratic Republic of Congo. There is also a well built road between Pointe-Noire and Cabinda (Angola).
Communication facilities are good with the emergence of internet and mobile phones. The country code for telephone is 242 and the links with Western Europe are normally poor. Postage is also available though it takes four to 18 days to arrive in Europe. The press and newspapers are privately owned though the media including TV and radio is generally owned by government.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Congo is considered to be one of the most developed countries in Africa as 70% of its population lives in the urban cities. The massive area of the dense jungle in the north is all inaccessible and uninhabited. Congo has diverse ethnic groups which can be divided into three main categories. The Kongo is the largest amongst them consisting of almost half of the population. Teke and Boulangui are the other two main groups forming 17% and 12% of the population respectively. Pygmies also make 5-10% of the Congo’s population. Christianity is the major religion amounting to 50% of the population while Animists are also found after Christians.
Congo has a very rich culture having Congolese as their greatest asset. There are over sixty local languages in Congo but French is the main official language used in government offices due to being a French ex-colony. Other languages spoken for trade are Lingala and Monokutuba. The houses in the cities are all concrete built with great architecture and even attached with a small garden. There is lot of social interaction in the houses while cooking which happens in the front of the house. Many Congolese are famous over the globe as cooks, musicians, philosophers and table football enthusiasts.
BRAZZAVILLE
Being the oldest and the capital city of Congo, Brazzaville is a must visit for tourists visiting Congo. This exciting city still retains the French air of the past colonial rule with its tree lined boulevards and cafes on the street side serving fresh French croissants. The tourists can enjoy the great French architecture of beautiful Basilique St. Anne church and Charles de Gaulle House constructed when the city was capital of Free France another landmark for visitors gaining their point of interest. The city is also famous for its thriving night life at the PotoPoto district where the visitors are safe to roam around at candlelit night market and enjoy the Congolese music singing in the roadside bars and night clubs. The visitors can also go to the National Museum of Congo during the day time to learn about the Congolese art and history. Temple Mosque is another popular attraction of the city known for its exquisite architecture and important for the minority of Muslims as religious site.
POINTE- NOIRE
This coastal town of Congo is the nation’s official tourist resort with a lively beach having a long stretch of coastline. Pointe-Noire has become wealthy due to its oil and wood exports though it has not improved much the standard of living of the local people. Cote Sauvage is a popular beach having a long stretch and is thus known as the jewel of Pointe-Noire. Another remarkable sight of Congo is the gorges of Diosso formed by the natural clash of water and the hillside. Tourists having an affinity towards animals can visit the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Sanctuary a famous wild park and peaceful home for many chimpanzees. The town is lively with night life and bars where the travellers can easily find their fellow counterparts. Further north of Pointe-Noire is the peaceful beach less crowded for the travellers looking for serene and quiet jungles.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
The main attraction of Congo is its dense, virgin forests and landscapes with waterfalls including a great variety of rich wildlife. The adventure seekers can enjoy the dense jungles bristling with gorillas, monkeys and chimps of all kinds. The special forest elephants are found here in abundance forming the highest density of elephants in the entire country. The forests also house a stunning array of colourful birds, beautiful striped antelope called bongo and the giant forest hog. The visitors can enjoy watching all these wild animals in the Lefini Faunal Reserve and Odzala National Park located in the heart of these tropical rainforest. It is one of Africa’s most extraordinary and least known forest ecosystems.
In addition to the wildlife, Congo has numerous turbulent waterfalls and freshwater lakes. The Loufoulakari Falls are the most spectacular falls of the country attracting tourists from everywhere. Lac Bleu offers fascinating fishing opportunities for relaxed travelers whereas the active travelers can enjoy waterskiing on the Congo and Kouillou Rivers, a much popular activity. Many safaris are also organized by the tour operators for travelers to experience the real adventure of these dense, uninhabited rain forests. They can also catch a glimpse of the pygmies if fortunate living in these thick jungles and express awe at their size and living.
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION
Cassava, peanuts, bananas and bread are the staple diet of the people and meat mainly chicken is eaten on occasions. Beer and fruit juice of pineapple and mango are the national favorites enjoyed by the visitors. Amongst the national specialties is the hot piri piri chicken, Mouamba chicken in palm oil, fish and saka saka (cassava leaves cooked with peanut paste and palm oil). The visitors can also visit good restaurants serving multi cuisines like French, Italian, Lebanese and Vietnamese in the urban cities. There are also good bars and hotels in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Loubomo for the tourists to enjoy the delicious food along with comfortable stay.
Despite of the economic turbulent climate, Congo offers good accommodation in its urban cities along with cheap budgets. There are a number of nice, clean hotels in Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville has the famous ‘Le Meridien’ located in a peaceful area close to the city centre and offering other good facilities. Self catering accommodation is also available though it is a bit more expensive.
While tourism has not easily thrived in Congo, going for a holiday to this country is an exhilarating trip to know the African culture and mingle with the local people who are more accommodating and ever curious of visitors. They are good natured and friendly to share a laugh or joke in spite of the adversity of the country.
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