The Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) was first inhabited by Pygmies, whose culture was eventually replaced by Bantu tribes. The main tribe was a group called the Kongo, who established several kingdoms along the Congo River. Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to arrive in Congo. Unfortunately, the Portuguese began to use the native people as slaves, and between 1600 and 1800, the slave trade expanded enormously. In the 1880’s the area that is now Congo became under French Rule. Later Congo, along with Chad, Gabon, and other areas were combined to create French Equatorial Africa (AEF). In 1958 AEF was dissolved, and by 1960, Congo gained complete independence from France.

National Flag

The National flag of Congo has been changed many times throughout the years, but the current design was adopted in 1991. The green section represents forests and agriculture, the yellow stands for the people of Congo, and the red section has no specific meaning.

Geography

Congo is located along the equator, in the central-western part of Africa. Congo consists of four main regions: the coastal plain, the Teke Plateau, the Nyari Valley, and the Congo Basin. The physical geography of Congo includes rainforests, plains, hills, and swamplands.

World Land Mass Ranking: 65th

 

Highest Mountain: Mont Nabemba, 1,020 m (3,346 ft)

 

Longest River: Congo River, 4,370 km (2,715 mi).

Main Languages

French, Kituba and Lingala.

Congo Population: 5.4 million (as of 2019)
Capital City: Brazzaville

Capital City Population: 1.7 million (as of 2015)

Climate

Congo has a tropical climate, with high temperatures year-round. The country receives heavy rainfall and has very high humidity. On average, the country receives at least 60 inches of rain each year, with amounts varying from season to season.

Key People

• Jadelin Mabiala Gangbo
• Emmanuel Dongala
• Serge Ibaka
• François M’Pelé

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  Cuisine

  The cuisine of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is called Congolese cuisine. Congo’s farmland is used to grow a variety of crops, including maize, rice, cassava, yam, tomatoes, pumpkin, peas, and nuts. Other wild plants like mushrooms and fruits are also gathered to use in dishes. Poulet à la Moambé (Moambe Chicken) is considered to be Congo’s national dish. It is chicken in moambe sauce, which is made from palm oil or peanuts.

  The picture is a picture of Moambe Chicken.

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  Sports

  Since Congo is a former French territory, many sports and activities are popular due to European influence. Football is the most popular sport in Congo. Their national football team is nicknamed the Red Devils, and they won their first African Cup of Nations in the early 70s. Other sports that are popular include basketball, volleyball, and rugby.

   

  The picture is a picture of the the Congo national football team.

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  Culture

  The culture of the Congolese is most evident in tribal and ethnic traditions, as well as music. Folk music is played with classical instruments like the xylophone and the mvet, which is a stringed musical instrument. Art is a significant part of Congolese culture, including painting, textiles, and traditional handicrafts. Christianity is the predominant religion in Congo, and Roman Catholics make up over half of the population.

   

  The picture is a picture of a young women learning how to sew.

   

  Congo is a beautiful country with wonderful people.

   

  Download questions about the Congo here: Congo (answers are on this page)

   

   

  For further reading and more info on Congo visit https://kids.kiddle.co/Republic_of_the_Congo