1: The Republic of Congo, a country located in West and Central Africa, is rich in natural resources and diverse cultures. The country gets its name from the Congo River, which is the second longest river in Africa and the deepest river in the world. The Congo River means "big river" in the local language, can you imagine how spectacular it is?
2: You may ask, why are there two Congos? Is there a mistake? Actually, this is a legacy of history. The Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are two different countries, and although they both follow the Congo River, their political, economic and social conditions are very different. To distinguish them, China uses the initials of their capitals, Congo (Brazzaville) is the Republic of the Congo, and Congo (DRC) is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Did you know that the relationship between these two countries is not friendly, and there are often disputes, and sometimes there are even armed conflicts?
3: There are 56 ethnic groups in the Republic of Congo, as many as in China, can you believe it? There are many races, languages, customs, and beliefs here, and you can see all kinds of faces and costumes. The largest ethnic group is the Congolese, who live mainly in the south and are the main political force in the Republic of the Congo. In the forests of the north, there are also Pygmies, the smallest species in the world, with an average height of only 1.5 meters, who live by hunting and gathering, maintaining a primitive way of life.
4: The official language of the Republic of Congo is French because it was once a French colony. However, the French you hear here may not be the same as what you hear in France, as it is mixed with a lot of local vocabulary and grammar. Moreover, many people do not speak French, they are more accustomed to speaking their national language. People in the south generally speak Kongo or Monukutuba, both of which belong to the Bantu language family and share some similarities with Swahili. People in the north generally speak Lingala, which belongs to the Nilo-Saharan language family and has some connection to Arabic.
5: The Republic of the Congo is in good shape in Africa, thanks to its abundant resources and small population, its GDP per capita has reached $3,000, five times higher than the DRC's $600. The two pillars of the Republic of the Congo's economy are oil and timber, which account for more than 90 per cent of export earnings. In addition, the Republic of Congo has many mineral resources, such as potash, phosphate, iron ore, aluminum, zinc, copper, etc., which have potential for future development.
6: The flag of the Republic of the Congo is made up of green, yellow, and red, all three of which have special meanings. The green color symbolizes hope and represents the expectations and confidence of Congolese people in the future. Yellow symbolizes wealth and shows the pride and respect of Congolese people for their resources and labor. The color red symbolizes enthusiasm and the love and loyalty of Congolese people to their country and people. The flag was adopted in 1960 when the Republic of Congo became independent, and it was finally restored to its original appearance in 1991 after several changes.
7: The coat of arms of the Republic of Congo has a red lion with green paws and tongue and two elephants on its back with yellow teeth and toes. This lion is the national symbol of the Republic of Congo, and it represents the bravery and strength of the Congolese people. These two elephants are the national animals of the Republic of Congo, and they represent the dignity and wisdom of the Congolese people. At the bottom of this coat of arms is a banner with the national motto of the Republic of Congo: "Unity, Work, Progress".
8: The Republic of Congo is the third-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, after Nigeria and Angola, with oil reserves of about 2 billion barrels and oil production of about 300,000 barrels per day. The oil of the Republic of the Congo is mainly concentrated in the coastline and the sea near the mouth of the Congo River, and they are mostly high-quality oils with light and low sulfur and high market value. The Republic of Congo also has significant natural gas resources, estimated at 8.5 billion cubic meters, but it has not yet been fully exploited.
9: The Republic of the Congo is also rich in forests, with about 65% of its forests covered and 10% of the continent's forest area. The forests of the Republic of the Congo have a high level of biodiversity, with many rare flora and fauna, such as gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, rhinoceros, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, parrots, peacocks, etc. The forests of the Republic of the Congo are also a treasure trove of timber, with more than 300 species of trees that can be used for felling, such as mahogany, mahogany, ebony, mulberry, rubber trees, etc., all of which have high economic value.
10: Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, and Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are separated by the Congo River and are the two closest capitals in Africa, only 4 km away. You can take a ferry or plane from one city to the other and experience the difference between the two countries. Brazzaville is a modern city with many high-rise buildings, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, etc., where you can enjoy the bustle and convenience of the city. Kinshasa is a traditional city with a lot of markets, churches, museums, parks, etc., where you can experience the local culture and customs.