It is rich with natural resources including cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, diamonds (industrial and gem qualities), gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, and others. For a nation slightly smaller than one-fourth the area of the United States, it is a reservoir of resources, many of which remain to be tapped. In addition, it has large grasslands which could be used for agriculture although only about three percent of the land is arable.

In July, 1996 the population was estimated to be about 46.5 million, about one-fifth the size of the United States. Among the population is about a million refugees from Rwanda and Burundi, 100,000 Angolan and 100,000 Sudanese refugees. The population is projected to reach 104.6 million by 2026.

The infant mortality rate in 1996 was estimated at 108 per 1,000 live births (compared to 9 in the U.S.). The life expectancy at birth is 46.7 years compared to 76 in the United States. The fertility rate is 6.64 children per woman, among the 15 highest in the world.

The country contains over 200 African ethnic groups the majority of which are Bantu. Three of four of the largest tribes are Bantu (Mongo, Luba, Kongo). These with the Mangbetu-Azande constitute 45 percent of the total population. Three-fourths of the population over 15 can read and write in French (87% of the males) which is the official language. Four other languages are common in the country.

Formerly a Belgian colony, the nation is a republic. It became independent from Belgium on June 30, 1960. There are ten regions (states) and one town. The vote is universal and compulsory for those over 18 years of age.

At present, in spite of its vast potential, the Republic of the Congo is one of the poorest nations in the world. Most families subsist through minimal farming and/or small trading and bartering. The per capita Gross National Product in 1995 was estimated at $400. In 1995 the inflation rate was estimated at 12% per month. This in spite of agricultural products which included coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, tapioca, bananas, corn, fruits, and wood products. Their exports, mostly to the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan, and South Africa, included copper, coffee, diamonds, cobalt and crude oil.

The country has 11 ports along the Congo River. Of its 145,000 kilometers of highways, 175 miles are paved. There are 200+ airports with 4 being able to handle large transport planes.

In 1991 it was estimated there were 34,000 telephones. There were 14 radio broadcast stations with 3.87 million radios. Eighteen television broadcast stations were received by 55,000 televisions.