In this video, we’ll explore 20 interesting and surprising facts about the Republic of the Congo, a beautiful country located in Central Africa. From its stunning natural wonders to its rich cultural heritage, there’s so much to discover about this fascinating nation. Did you know that the Congo Basin rainforest is the second-largest in the world, or that the country is home to over 200 ethnic groups? Join us as we delve into these and many more fascinating facts about the Republic of the Congo!
1. The Congo River is the deepest river the world , with a depth of 220m. It is also the second largest river in the world by discharge, with 41,000 cubic metres per second! The river flows between the countries Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo.
2. Congo is the only place where you can find the Bonobo. This species of chimpanzee is considered to be the closest relative to human beings.
3. The Congo basin rainforest is the second largest rainforest in the world. Around 70% of the country is covered by rainforest. The forest extends to the countries of Gaboo, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and Central African Republic.
4. The Republic of Congo is home to the famous Pygmy Tribe. This indigenous tribe lives in the Congo rainforest. The people of this tribe are small of stature. The average Pygmy man is around 4ft 10in tall, whilst the average woman is around 4ft 1in tall!
5. The Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the country is the last natural habitat on earth where you can’t identify any type of mankind’s interference and it has remained undisturbed by global changes. This has made the park earn the title of Last Eden on Earth.
6. The country is a major exporter of sugar, cacao, plywood, lumber, and petroleum.
7. The Republic of the Congo is often referred to as Congo-Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, or just Congo to distinguish it from its neighbour Republic Democratic of the Congo
8. The Republic of the Congo flag is made up of a diagonal yellow stripe separating a green triangle from a red triangle. Green symbolises agriculture and yellow for the friendship of the people. However, the red is officially unexplained but has been associated with the fight for liberation.
9. The country’s capital city, Brazzaville, is named after the French explorer, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. De Brazza promoted French colonial interests in the region during the 19th century and campaigned against slavery and forced labour.
10. In 1482, Portuguese navigator Diogo Cao became the first European to explore the coastal areas of the Republic of the Congo.
11. The Congo Basin is one of the most important wilderness areas on Earth and is home to approximately 10,000 plant species, 400 mammal species, 1,000 bird species and 700 fish species.
12. In 2015, the Republic of the Congo was named by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 countries in the world to visit thanks to its “potential to become one of Africa’s finest ecotourism destinations.”
13. The Republic of the Congo is supposedly home to the legendary Mokele-mbembe known as “Congo’s Loch Ness Monster”. The beast is said to be a large reptile-like creature, with a long neck and long tail similar to Scotland’s legendary monster.
14. The Republic of the Congo is home to Diosso Gorge, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Congo”. The gorge is known for its mix of distinctive red rock cliffs which reach up to 50m (165ft) in height..
15. In 1993, fighting broke out in the Republic of the Congo, followed by a full-scale civil war in 1997 between political rivalries. Angolan troops were involved until peace was eventually brokered in the early 2000s.
16. The Republic of the Congo is one of Africa’s largest petroleum and crude oil producers and exporters producers.
17. Mount Nabemba, in the Sangha Department, about 40km from Souanke, is the highest point in the republic of Congo. It has an elevation of about 1000 meters above sea level and is a popular hiking destination in the country.
18. It is safe to say fish is the most popular food in Congo. Congolese have a special way of enjoying their fish. They bake it wrapped in banana leaves, lace it with citrus, and call it “liboke.”
19. Because of their colonial masters, the official language in Congo-Brazzaville is French. However, other languages like Lingala and Kituba are widely spoken in the country.
20. The most dominant religion in the country is Christianity, with 87.1% of Congolese being Christians. 8% have no religion, 2.7% practice traditional beliefs, 1.2% practice Islam, and 1.0% have other religions.
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