Travel Alert Status
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Time Difference:
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Travel Climate:
The climate is tropical, with the rainy season lasting from October to April and the dry season from June to September. Humidity is high during the rainy season, and temperatures can climb to 31°C. Humidity and temperatures are lower during the dry season, ranging from 25°C to 28°C.
Travel Currency:
589.4
Languages:
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Ethnic Groups:
Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%
note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997
National Holiday:
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Geographic Coordinates:
1 00 S, 15 00 E
Location:
Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Airports:
8