le+congo

__**Population**:__ 3,686,000 as of 2009. population takes up southwestern part of congo, leaving the northern jungle part of the country virtually uninhabited.
 * REPUBLIC OF CONGO**

__**Geographic Features**__: lies on the equator so its very hot, averaging 75 degrees in the daytime and 61 degrees at night. It's almost landlocked, having a very small atlantic coast with Gabon, Cameroon, and Cabinda surrounding this country. Northern part of the country is heavily forested, consisting a lot of inhospitable swamps. The interior of the country consists of a central plateau between two basins to the south and north.

**MAP OF CONGO**

**WATERWAYS THROUGH THE JUNGLES OF CONGO** **__History__:** The earliest inhabitants of this region are the pygmy people who were later replaced by the bantu people. The Bantu made tribes during this period to be known as the Bantu expansions. The Bantu first came into contact with europeans in the late 15th century while they were doing there Portuguese expeditions. Business was then established between inland Bantu kingdoms and european merchants who traded various goods and slaves. The area became under French control in the 1880s. In 1908, France Equatorial Africa made Brazzaville the federal capital. Congo then became independent from france in 1960. Fulbert Youlou ruled as the countrys first president until rival political parties mutinied against him.

__**Notable people from Congo:**__  - Henri Lopes, author and diplomat: Born September 12, 1937, Henri Lopes is an internationally respected writer and diplomat as well as the former prime minister of Congo-Brazzaville. Lopes received his degree in African literature from the Sorbon, and in 1993, he was awarded the Grand Prix by the French Academy.  - Diblo Dibala, musician: Playing the guitar since the age of 12, Diblo Dibala launched a successful musical career. He eventually joined the popular Congolese group, Matchatcha.  - Rhode Bath-Schéba Makoumbou, artist: An accomplished artist, Makoumbou creates works surrounding the social activities of African women. Since 2003, Makoubou’s art has been exhibited internationally.

**CONGO FLAG**

__**Attractions**__ : There are a lot of fun and exciting thins to do in Congo like:

1) __**Visit the Temple Mosque!**__ One of Brazzaville's most prominent attractions, the Temple Mosque is distinguished by its architecture and reputation as the most important Muslim religious site in the city.



**__2)__ __Visit the Musee National du Congo!__** Founded in 1965, the Musée National du Congo features a collection of Congolese art and historical artifacts.



__**3) Sightseeing at the Gorges of Diosso!**__ Formed by the natural clash of sea and hillside, the Gorges of Diosso rank among the Congo's most beautiful sights.



4) **__Go on a Safari in the jungle looking for gorillas!__** You could go on an exhilarating three day gorilla safari through the vast and diverse Congo jungle.

  