Blog About Random Country #6 Republic Of the Congo

Republic of the Congo (Note: I'll just refer to it as Congo for the rest of the blog.) covers 342,000 km² (132,000 sq mi) area and has a population about 5,244,359 according to 2018 estimates. It has border with 5 countries, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, the other Congo and Angola (by an exclave, Cabinda). The Republic of the Congo is divided into 12 départements (departments). Departments are divided into communes and districts.

Congo first met Europeans in the 15th century with the arrival of Portuguese travelers and traders from the mouth of the Congo river. The Kingdom of Congo, which dominated this region at that time, engaged in commercial activities with Portuguese merchants. And then colonized by Portugal and France. In 1960, Congo became an independent nation but in the late 20th century it started to be ruled by communism. And finally in 1992, after the fall of Soviet Union, Congo became an democratic republic.

88.5% Christianity

1.5% Undeclared

Firstly, the cuisine of the two Congo is very similar (almost same), so this dishes are popular in both Congo!

Pili pili: Very hot pepper, served with nearly everything, even occasionally dried and sprinkled on fruit.

Moamba: A sauce or a dish prepared with a sauce usually made from peanut butter.

Ngai ngai ya musaka: A sauce or a dish prepared with a sauce usually made from the pericarp (not the seeds) of palm nuts, the fruit of the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) tree, in western Middle Africa. Ngai ngai is a leaf called oseille in French and sorrel in English.