Introduction
The capital city of Brazzaville is situated on the west side of Malebo Pool on the River Congo. Sights to see include the beautiful Basilique Sainte Anne, the colourful suburb of Poto Poto, the Temple Mosque, the markets at Oluendze and Moungali, the National Museum, the Municipal Gardens and the house constructed for de Gaulle when Brazzaville was the capital of Free France. There is a golf course at the Cité du Djoué. The first church in Congo was built in 1882 by a French priest and is located in Linzolo, 30km (19 miles) from the capital. The city is also home to the regional seat of the World Health Organization and a good market. 150km (90 miles) north of the capital is the historic village of M’Bé, the capital of King Makoko. Also in this region is Lac Bleu with good fishing available and the Valley of Butterflies.
To the south of Brazzaville are the Congo Rapids (9km/6 miles away by tarred road), the Loufoulakari Falls and the Trou de Dieu, above which there is a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The main town on the coast is Pointe-Noire (with its lively evening market), and there are several good beaches close by in the region known as the Côte Sauvage. Around 20km (12 miles) from the city are the villages of Loango and Diosso. Loango was the main embarkation port for slaves and it is estimated that more than 2 million people were transported from here. The Gorges of Diosso, spectacular cliffs formed by the erosion of the sea and the wind, are worth visiting.
The landscape in the north of the country is distinguished by huge tracts of virgin forest with an abundance of wildlife. The forest is also home to several indigenous tribes who have maintained their traditional way of life.
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