BrazzavilleCapital
Republic of the Congo · Country profile
Brazzaville is the elegant riverside capital of the Republic of the Congo, a relaxed and stylish city that spreads along the north bank of the great Congo River, facing the towers of the sister city of Kinshasa directly across the water. Its foundation as the capital of the French colonies of the region left it a legacy of grand boulevards, handsome art deco and colonial buildings and one of the most beautiful basilicas of the continent, the pale green masterpiece of the Sainte-Anne. The markets, the gallery of the national art and the footbridges toward the river give the city its daily rhythm, while the craft markets and the music halls keep the rumba of the Congolese masters alive. Calm compared with its mighty neighbour, elegant and thoroughly musical, Brazzaville is one of the most gracious capitals of the region.
About Brazzaville
Brazzaville is the capital of Republic of the Congo. The city's documented population is around 2,400,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF) and French is spoken; the dialling code is +242.
The Elegant Capital Facing the Twin City of the South
Brazzaville is an easy, handsome and deeply musical capital set on the bank of the great river, with tree-lined boulevards, the superb basilica of Sainte-Anne and the wide open spaces of the colonial plan. The itinerary is simple: the markets, the national museum, the promenade of the river and the astonishing ferry crossing to the towers of Kinshasa on the opposite shore. The pace is gentle and the people famously warm, and the evenings drift toward the rumba clubs and the terraces of the centre. Calm, safe and quietly stylish, it is the perfect gateway to the forests and the gorillas of the north and an experience of the river frontier on its own.
The Dry Winter Weeks, the CFA Franc and the River Crossings
The warm, humid climate brings the heavy rains of the autumn and the spring months and the drier, brighter winter window that suits the travel best. The CFA franc is the currency, the French the language and the cards work at the main hotels with the cash for the markets. The essential circuit is the basilica, the national museum, the craft market and the river promenade, with the crossing to the neighbouring capital an easy and memorable day trip by the boat. The city is safe in the daytime with the usual care of the big city at night, and the drives to the forests and the reserves of the country begin from the river district.
The Green Basilica, the National Art and the Rumba of the Evenings
The basilica of Sainte-Anne, with its pale green towers and the swirling modernist roof of its nave, is one of the most beautiful churches of Africa and the proud symbol of the capital. The museum of the national art holds the masks and the sculpture of the statuary of the many peoples, while the open-air market of the artisans of the quartier carries the fabrics and the carvings of the craft. The sands of the river beach, the pirogue trips and the footbridge of the ferry terminal give the view over the great stream, and the sound of the rumba, born across the border but perfected here, closes the musical day of the capital.
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- Country
- Republic of the Congo
- Population
- 2,400,000
- Capital
- Brazzaville
- Region
- Africa
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Languages
- French
- Calling code
- +242
- Country code
- CG
Frequently asked questions
Is Brazzaville the capital of Republic of the Congo?
Yes — Brazzaville is the capital of Republic of the Congo.
What currency do I need in Brazzaville?
The local currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF). Languages spoken in Republic of the Congo include French.
What is the dialling code for Republic of the Congo?
The international dialling code for Republic of the Congo is +242.
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