The Congo, officially known as the Republic of the Congo and colloquially as Congo-Brazzaville, is located in Central Africa. It borders Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Brazzaville, located on the Congo River, opposite Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Historically, the area of the Congo has been inhabited by various ethnic groups for thousands of years. During the colonial period, it was a French colony, gaining independence in 1960. The post-colonial history of the Congo has been marked by periods of political instability and conflicts. The economy of the Congo is heavily dependent on natural resources, particularly oil, which accounts for the majority of government revenue and exports. The country also has significant timber and mineral resources, but economic diversification remains a challenge. The population of the Congo comprises a variety of ethnic groups, with the Kongo (or Bakongo) being one of the largest. French is the official language, but there are also many indigenous languages spoken. Congolese society is characterized by rich cultural diversity, with traditional and modern influences. Culturally, the Congo is known for its music, particularly the Soukous genre, and its artistic and craft traditions. The country has a vibrant music scene and has had a significant impact on African and world music. Geographically, the Congo is characterized by a vast area of rainforest, part of the Congo Basin, which is the second-largest rainforest in the world after the Amazon. Population of the Republic of Congo from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 5.2 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 5.3 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 5.4 million inhabitants. Capital (Brazzaville): Population in 2020: About 2.4 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Brazzaville: 2.4 million Pointe-Noire: 1.2 million Dolisie: 103,894 Nkayi: 71,620 Impfondo: 33,911 Ouésso: 31,183 Madingou: 25,713 Owando: 23,952 Sibiti: 22,951 Loubomo: 22,469 Congo is divided into 12 departments.