Congo

Travellers should avoid leaving Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, and these towns should only be visited on essential business. Consult official government travel advice before travelling.

Congo is situated in Africa, bordered by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, the Angolan Cabinda Enclave, and the Atlantic. Vast areas are swamps, grassland or thick forests with rivers. The vast River Congo draws much of its water from swamp lands in the north. The narrow sandy coastal plain is broken by lagoons, behind which rise the Mayombe Mountains. The capital, Brazzaville, lies on the west side of Malebo Pool on the River Congo. Sights include the beautiful Basilique Sainte Anne, the Temple Mosque and the Municipal Gardens. To the south of Brazzaville are the Congo Rapids (9km/6 miles away) and the Loufoulakari Falls. Waterskiing on the Congo and Kouillou rivers is a popular sporting activity in peacetime. The main coastal town is Pointe-Noire (with its lively evening market) and there are good beaches close by in the Côte Sauvage region. Some restaurants specialise in African dishes such as piri piri chicken and Mouambe chicken in palm oil. Local musicians are popular in the main towns. Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire have several nightclubs.

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