Short facts about the geography of Congo
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Location:
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Western Africa, bordering the
South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon |
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Geographic coordinates:
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1 00 S, 15 00 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 342,000 sq km
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Montana
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Land boundaries:
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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
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Coastline:
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169 km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 200
nm
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Climate:
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tropical; rainy season (March
to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and
humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator |
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Terrain:
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coastal plain, southern
basin, central plateau, northern basin |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Atlantic
Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, timber, potash,
lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas,
hydropower
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Land use:
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arable land: 1.45%
permanent crops: 0.15%
other: 98.4% (2005) |
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Irrigated land:
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10 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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seasonal flooding |
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Environment - current issues:
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air pollution from vehicle
emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not
potable; deforestation |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone
Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
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Geography - note:
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about 70% of the population
lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them |
Source: World Factbook |
