Congo

Congo refers to the Republic of Congo, a central African country located on the equator, with Brazzaville as its capital. The country is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of approximately 5.8-million people and covers an area of 342 000 km². The economy is heavily dependent on oil production, which accounts for the majority of government revenue and export earnings. Other significant sectors include forestry, mining and agriculture, with timber, potash and agricultural products contributing to economic activity. The country is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community and uses the Central African CFA franc as its currency. Congo's offshore oil fields in the Atlantic have attracted international investment, though the economy remains vulnerable to oil price volatility. The government operates as a presidential republic, with political stability varying over recent decades. The country gained independence from France in 1960 and has since experienced periods of civil conflict and economic reform, with ongoing efforts to diversify the economy beyond hydrocarbons.