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Congo

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of the Congo

DATE OF FORMATION: 1960

POPULATION: 3.8 million

DENSITY: 29 people per square mile

LANGUAGES: Kongo, Teke, Lingala, French

RELIGIONS: Traditional beliefs 50%, Roman Catholic 25%, Protestant 23%, Muslim 2%

ETHNIC MIX: Bakongo 48%, Sangha 20%, Teke 17%, Mbochi 12%, Other 3%

GOVERNMENT: Multiparty elections

CURRENCY: CFA franc

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Straddling the equator in west central Africa, Congo achieved independence from France in 1960, soon falling under a Marxist-Leninist form of government which discouraged much foreign investment. Multiparty democracy was achieved in 1991, but was soon overshadowed by years of feuding and violence.