0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Natural gas - proved reserves:
991.1 million cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Current account balance:
-$1.47 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 -$402 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$3.8 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $6.6 billion (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, wood products, crude oil, coffee
Exports - partners:
China 46.75%, US 15.35%, Belgium 10.68%, Zambia 5.78%, Finland 4.38% (2009)
Imports:
$5.2 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $6.7 billion (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels
Imports - partners:
South Africa 18.22%, Belgium 10.2%, China 8.34%, Zambia 7.77%, France 7.28%, Zimbabwe 6.52%, Kenya 5.48%, Netherlands 4.13%, Italy 3.96% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.01 billion (March 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $1 billion (December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.3 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $12.7 billion (2008 est.)
Exchange rates:
Congolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - 930 (2010), 810 (2009), 559 (2008), 516 (2007), 464.69 (2006)
Communications ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Telephones - main lines in use:
40,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 167
Telephones - mobile cellular:
10.163 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 63
Telephone system:
general assessment: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations; inadequate fixed line infrastructure
domestic: state-owned operator providing less than 1 fixed-line connection per 1000 persons; given the backdrop of a wholly inadequate fixed-line infrastructure, the use of mobile-cellular services has surged and subscribership in 2009 exceeded 10 million - roughly 15 per 100 persons
international: country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned TV broadcast station with near national coverage; more than a dozen privately-owned TV stations with 2 having near national coverage; 2 state-owned radio stations are supplemented by more than 100 private radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.cd
Internet hosts:
3,006 (2010) country comparison to the world: 146
Internet users:
290,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 131
Transportation ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Airports:
198 (2010) country comparison to the world: 31
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 172
1,524 to 2,437 m: 20
914 to 1,523 m: 91
under 914 m: 61 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 37 km; oil 39 km; refined products 756 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,007 km country comparison to the world: 42 narrow gauge: 3,882 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 153,497 km country comparison to the world: 34 paved: 2,794 km
unpaved: 150,703 km (2004)
Waterways:
15,000 km (including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes) (2009) country comparison to the world: 8
Merchant marine:
total: 1 country comparison to the world: 158 by type: petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Republic of the Congo 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa,Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka
Military ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forcesd'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army,National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (ForceAerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-45 years of age for voluntary military service (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 15,192,858 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,301,818
females age 16-49: 9,440,111 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 842,020
female: 839,044 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 59
Transnational Issues ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Disputes - international:
heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers; members of Uganda's Lords Resistance Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park as peace talks with the Uganda government evolve; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area; Uganda and DROC dispute Rukwanzi island in Lake Albert and other areas on the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential; boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda river claimed by Zambia near the DROC village of Pweto
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 132,295 (Angola); 37,313 (Rwanda); 17,777 (Burundi); 13,904 (Uganda); 6,181 (Sudan); 5,243 (Republic of Congo)
IDPs: 1.4 million (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to trafficking for the purposes of forced labor and forced prostitution; the majority of this trafficking is internal, and much of it is perpetrated by armed groups and government forces outside government control within the country's unstable eastern provinces
tier rating: Tier 3 - Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government did not show evidence of progress in prosecuting and punishing labor or sex trafficking offenders, including members of its own armed forces; providing protective services for the vast majority of trafficking victims; or raising public awareness of human trafficking; in addition, the government's anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts decreased during the reporting period (2010)
Illicit drugs:
one of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, but mostly for domestic consumption; traffickers exploit lax shipping controls to transit pseudoephedrine through the capital; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center (2008)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Congo, Republic of the (Africa)
Introduction ::Congo, Republic of the
Background:
Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.
Geography ::Congo, Republic of the
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 342,000 sq km country comparison to the world: 63 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 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km
Coastline:
169 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent 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: 1.45%
permanent crops: 0.15%
other: 98.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
832 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (59%/29%/12%)
per capita: 8 cu m/yr (2000)
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
People ::Congo, Republic of the
Population:
4,125,916 country comparison to the world: 126 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45.9% (male 927,599/female 915,540)
15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,021,975/female 1,034,119)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 46,687/female 66,889) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.9 years
male: 16.7 years
female: 17.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.807% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Birth rate:
41.01 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Death rate:
11.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Net migration rate:
-1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 77.93 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 17 male: 83.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 72.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 54.54 years country comparison to the world: 199 male: 53.27 years
female: 55.84 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.77 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
3.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
79,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
6,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups:
Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%
Religions:
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages:
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 83.8%
male: 89.6%
female: 78.4% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 174
Government ::Congo, Republic of the
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)
local long form: Republique du Congo
local short form: none
former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Brazzaville
geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E
time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Independence:
15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution:
approved by referendum 20 January 2002
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997); note - the position of prime minister was abolished in September 2009
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 July 2009 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 78.6%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 7.5%, Nicephore Fylla de SAINT-EUDES 7%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (72 seats; members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 5 August 2008 (next to be held in 2013); National Assembly - last held on 24 June and 5 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RMP 33, FDU 23, UPADS 2, independents 7, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, MCDDI 11, UPADS 11, MAR 5, MSD 5, independents 37, other 22
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders:
Action Movement for Renewal or MAR; Congolese Labour Party or PCT;Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI[Michel MAMPOUYA]; Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD;Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI];Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond DamasgeNGOLLO]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS[Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally of thePresidential Majority or RMP; Union for Democracy and Republic orUDR; United Democratic Forces or FDU [Sebastian EBAO]; many lessimportant parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI
chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Allan EASTHAM
embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, BDEAC Building, 4th Floor, Brazzaville; note - a new embassy is expected to open in 2009
mailing address: B.P. 1015, Brazzaville
telephone: [242] 281-1481, 281-3368; note - until the new embassy in Brazzaville becomes operational, some duties will still be handled in the US embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Flag description:
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National anthem:
name: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese)
lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE
note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991
Economy ::Congo, Republic of the
Economy - overview:
The economy is a mixture of subsistence agriculture, an industrial sector based largely on oil and support services, and government spending. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. Characterized by budget problems and overstaffing, the government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. The drop in oil prices during the global crisis reduced oil revenue by about 30%, but the subsequent recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. In March 2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo, receiving $1.9 billion in debt relief under the program in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$17.45 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $15.79 billion (2009 est.)
$14.67 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.88 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
10.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 7.6% (2009 est.)
5.6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $3,900 (2009 est.)
$3,800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.4%
industry: 63.7%
services: 32% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.514 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 129
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 37.1% (2005)
Investment (gross fixed):
41.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 4.3% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 102 4.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$2.403 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 118 $1.887 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$2.746 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $2.178 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.58 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 133 $1.889 billion (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products
Industries:
petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate:
12% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Electricity - production:
400 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Electricity - consumption:
471 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
449 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
274,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Oil - consumption:
10,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Oil - exports:
241,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Oil - imports:
2,136 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - proved reserves:
1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - production:
180 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Natural gas - consumption:
180 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - proved reserves:
90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Current account balance:
-$569 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 -$1.195 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$9.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $7.425 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds
Exports - partners:
US 40.08%, China 30.18%, France 8.17%, Taiwan 6.4%, India 4.2% (2009)
Imports:
$3.607 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $3.259 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
France 20.64%, China 14.54%, Italy 9.56%, US 9.02%, India 5.55%,Belgium 4.51% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.123 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $3.806 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$5 billion (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs per US dollar - 507.71 (2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 483.6 (2007), 522.59 (2006)
Communications ::Congo, Republic of the
Telephones - main lines in use:
24,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 185
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.171 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 131
Telephone system:
general assessment: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable with services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order
domestic: fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged and now exceeds 50 per 100 persons
international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
1 state-owned TV and 3 state-owned radio stations; several privately-owned TV and radio stations; satellite TV service is available; rebroadcasts of several international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.cg
Internet hosts:
42 (2010) country comparison to the world: 213
Internet users:
245,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 136
Transportation ::Congo, Republic of the
Airports:
25 (2010) country comparison to the world: 130
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 7 km; oil 211 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 795 km country comparison to the world: 103 narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 17,289 km country comparison to the world: 118 paved: 864 km
unpaved: 16,425 km (2004)
Waterways:
1,120 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers above Brazzaville; there are many ferries across the river to Kinshasa; the Congo south of Brazzaville-Kinshasa to the coast is not navigable because of rapids, thereby necessitating a rail connection to Pointe Noire; other rivers are used for local traffic only) (2010) country comparison to the world: 62
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo 1) (2010) country comparison to the world: 163
Ports and terminals:
Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire
Military ::Congo, Republic of the
Military branches:
Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Gendarmerie, Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; women allowed to serve (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 898,850
females age 16-49: 886,063 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 557,764
females age 16-49: 546,755 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 48,365
female: 47,874 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 137
Transnational Issues ::Congo, Republic of the
Disputes - international:
the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 46,341 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,564 (Rwanda)
IDPs: 48,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnicLari) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; girls are trafficked from rural areas within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, forced street vending, and domestic servitude; children are trafficked from other African countries for domestic servitude, forced market vending, and forced labor in the fishing industry
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; struggling to recover from six years of civil conflict that ended in 2003, the Republic of the Congo's capacity to address trafficking is handicapped; the government neither monitors its borders for trafficking activity nor provides specialized anti-trafficking training for law enforcement officials; the government does not encourage victims to assist in trafficking investigations or prosecutions, and has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts in the Republic of the Congo (2008)
page last updated on January 12, 2011
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@Cook Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Cook Islands
Background:
Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Geography ::Cook Islands
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 236 sq km country comparison to the world: 214 land: 236 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
120 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Terrain:
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources:
Land use:
arable land: 16.67%
permanent crops: 8.33%
other: 75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
typhoons (November to March)
Environment - current issues:
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
Geography - note:
the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
People ::Cook Islands
Population:
11,488 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 223
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.1% (male 1,704/female 1,508)
15-64 years: 63.7% (male 3,898/female 3,664)
65 years and over: 9.2% (male 540/female 556) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 31.2 years
male: 30.5 years
female: 31.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-3.256% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 231
Birth rate:
15.67 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Death rate:
7.22 deaths/1,000 population NA country comparison to the world: 127
Urbanization:
urban population: 74% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.046 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.33 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 116 male: 19.88 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.47 years country comparison to the world: 94 male: 71.69 years
female: 77.38 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic groups:
Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
Religions:
Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%,Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, otherProtestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official), Maori
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 95%
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 10 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
0.2% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 186
People - note:
2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017
Government ::Cook Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cook Islands
former: Harvey Islands
Dependency status:
self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense in consultation with the Cook Islands
Government type:
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Avarua
geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Constitution:
4 August 1965
Legal system:
based on New Zealand law and English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal (adult)
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Linda TE PUNI (since 3 June 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the UK representative appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of a House of Ariki, or upper house, made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly, or lower house, (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers
elections: last held on 17 November 2010 (next to be held by 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 16, Demo 8
Judicial branch:
High Court
Political parties and leaders:
Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo[Dr. Terepai MAOATE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes)
other: various groups lobbying for political change
International organization participation: