Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)

The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) is a developing nation in central Africa. The official language is French; Lingala and Kituba are also widely spoken. The largest cities are the capital, Brazzaville, located on the Congo River, and Pointe-Noire, on the Atlantic coast. The country remained calm following the last civil conflict that ended in 2003, until December 2013 when heavy gunfire left more than 20 people dead in Brazzaville as Congolese security forces attempted to arrest a former military officer charged with complicity in a military arms depot explosion. Facilities for tourism are very limited. Read the Department of State Fact Sheet on Republic of Congo for additional information on U.S.-Republic of Congo relations.