fwo_639166 - CONGO REPUBLIC 500 Francs Proof 70e anniversaire de la Swissair 2002

CONGO REPUBLIC

Congo (Republic of the Congo) is a country in Central Africa. Congo is sometimes called Congo-Brazzaville to distinguish it from the Democratic Republic of Congo located south of the Congo River. The French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, who gave his name to the capital, opened the way for French colonization. Brazzaville becomes the capital of French Equatorial Africa. The country is handed over to concessionary companies which exploit Congo's natural resources under very harsh conditions and explains the early development of African nationalism. In 1958, Congo became an autonomous republic and gained independence in 1960..