General Informaion :
Country dialing code : 242

Ministry of Culture, the Arts and Tourism:
BP 20480, Brazzaville, Congo
Tel : 814022.
Fax: 814 025.

Direction Generale du Tourisme et des Loisirs:
BP 456, Brazzaville, Congo Tel : 830 953.

Language : The official language is French. Other major languages are Lingala, Munukutuba and Kikongo. English is spoken very little.

Religion : The majority follow animist belief systems (50 per cent), with most of the remainder being Christians (mainly Roman Catholic). There are small Protestant and Muslim minorities.

Time : GMT + 1.

Electricity : 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Mobile telephone :
GSM 900 networks are operated by CelTel Congo (website : www.msi-cellular.com) or Libertis Telecom. Coverage is mainly limited to Brazzaville and Pointe Noire.

International airports : Brazzaville (BZV) (Maya Maya) is 4km (2 miles) northwest of the city. Buses and taxis are available to the city. Airport facilities include a restaurant and car hires (Europcar, Hertz and InterRent). Pointe-Noire (PNR) is 5.5km (3.5 miles) from the city. Taxis are available to the city.


Money :
Currency : CFA Franc (CFA fr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Congo is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Credit & debit cards : Diners Club and MasterCard all have limited use. Check with your credit or debit Card Company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Traveler's cheques : To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions : The import and export of local currency is prohibited, except between countries of the Central African group. The import of foreign currency is unrestricted, although amounts over £234/US$335 must be declared upon arrival. Export of foreign currency is restricted to the amount imported.


Public Holidays :
Jan 1 2005 New Year's Day,
Mar 8 Congolese Women's Day,
May 1 Labour Day,
Jun 10 Commemoration of the National Sovereign Conference,
Aug 15 National Day,
Dec 25 Christmas.