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Congo, Republic of the Geography |
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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
water: 500 sq km
land: 341,500 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); constantly 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, natural gas, hydropower
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Land use:
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arable land: 0.51%
permanent crops: 0.13%
other: 99.36% (2001)
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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
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