CIA Factbook The World Factbook 1994: CongoGeography Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Gabon and Zaire Area: • total area: 342,000 sq km • land area: 341,500 sq km • comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total 5,504 km, Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km Coastline: 169 km Maritime claims: • territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: long segment of boundary with Zaire along the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made) Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas Land use: • arable land: 2% • permanent crops: 0% • meadows and pastures: 29% • forest and woodland: 62% • other: 7% Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989) Environment: • current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; deforestation • natural hazards: NA • international agreements: party to—Endangered Species, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified—Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection Note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them