History
Towards the end of the nineteenth century the French established a Protectorate over the territory on the right bank of the Congo River.

Middle Congo, present-day Republic of the Congo, became a member of the Federation of French Equatorial Africa, and in 1910 Congo (Brazzaville) was made the capital of the Federation (AEF - Afrique Equatoriale Francaise).

The AEF was dissolved in 1958 and former AEF territories became autonomous members of the French community.

Congo achieved independence in 1960. [Middle] Congo was renamed the Republique du Congo becoming known as Congo-Brazzaville. Other former AEF members - Central African Republic, Chad and Gabon - also gained independence.

A succession of military governments ruled Congo-Brazzaville from the end of the 1960s to the early 1990s. The Republic experienced violence and unrest in 1993, and civil war in 1997.

Economy
Oil is the Republic of the Congo's main export. Pointe Noire, linked to Brazzaville by rail and road, is the centre of the offshore oil industry.

Forestry was the mainstay of the economy before the discovery of oil. Other resources are copper, gold, lead, magnesium, phosphates, potash, uranium, zinc, natural gas and hydropower.

The agricultural sector, largely subsistence agriculture, earns a relatively small percentage of the Gross Domestic Product. Agricultural products are cassava, rice, maize, peanuts, vegetables, sugar, coffee and cocoa. (2008)

Arts
Ethnic groups in the Republic of the Congo include the Kongo, the Teke, and the Sangha. Groups are divided into subgroups, each with their own histories and traditions.

Traditional crafts can be seen in the National Museum in Brazzaville.

Sport
Football is played in the Republic of the Congo.

Holidays
All religious holidays are celebrated. Independence Day is on 15 August (1960 - from France).

News
News from Republic of the Congo is available in Newslink.

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