République du Congo

Political Status: Independent since August 15, 1960; one-party People's Republic proclaimed December 31, 1969; multiparty system authorized as of January 1, 1991; constitution approved in referendum of March 15, 1992, suspended in October 1997 following overthrow of the government; current constitution adopted by referendum of January 20, 2002.

Area: 132,046 sq. mi. (342,000 sq. km.).

Population: 4,254,470 (2012E—UN); 4,366,266 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Center (2005E): BRAZZAVILLE (1,275,000).

Official Language: French.

Monetary Unit: CFA Franc (official rate October 3, 2011: 921.49 francs = $1US). The CFA franc, previously pegged to the French franc, is now permanently pegged to the euro at 655.957 CFA francs = 1 euro.

President: Gen. Denis SASSOU—NGUESSO (Congolese Labor Party); sworn in on October 25, 1997, following the military overthrow of the government of Pascal LISSOUBA ...