Location:
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and
Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total:
342,000 sq km
land:
341,500 sq km
water:
500 sq km
Area—comparative:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
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
Coastline:
169 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October);
constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate
astride the Equator
Terrain:
coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural
gas
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
29%
forests and woodland:
62%
other:
9% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards:
seasonal flooding
Environment—current issues:
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of
raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment—international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified:
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geography—note:
about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along
the railroad between them
Source: CIA World Fact Book
