Brazzaville

Brazzaville is the capital and largest city of the Republic of the Congo. It lies on the north bank of the Congo River, directly opposite Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city serves as the administrative and economic center of the country, housing government ministries, foreign missions, and a range of industries. Its location along the river makes Brazzaville a major river port for the inland region and a hub for road and rail transport.

Brazzaville was founded in 1880 by the French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza and named after him. It became the capital of French Congo in the early 20th century and has remained the capital since independence in 1960.

Geography and climate: Brazzaville sits along the Congo River in central western Congo. The city experiences a tropical climate with a lengthy rainy season and warm temperatures throughout the year, contributing to a humid urban environment.

Transport and economy: The city is served by Maya-Maya International Airport. The Congo-Ocean Railway links Brazzaville with Pointe-Noire on the Atlantic coast, and the river port handles freight and passenger traffic on the Congo River. There is no fixed cross-river bridge to Kinshasa; cross-river movement is mainly by ferry and air travel. The economy centers on government, services, commerce, and river-and rail-linked trade.

Demographics and culture: The population is ethnically diverse, with French as the official language and Lingala and Kituba widely spoken. Brazzaville hosts cultural institutions, theaters, and educational centers, supporting a vibrant arts scene within the country.