Congo, Republic of the Geography:
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references:
Area:
total:
342,000 sq km
land:
341,500 sq km
water:
500 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 5,504 km
border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2410 km, Gabon 1903 km
Coastline:
169 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 NM
Climate:
Tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain:
Coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources:
Petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 0.51%
permanent crops: 0.13%
other: 99.36%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Seasonal flooding
Environment - current issues:
Air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea (not ratified)
Geography - Note:
About 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them |
