Pre-colonial era
The territory of the present-day Republic of the Congo was the cradle of organised kingdoms and chiefdoms, among them the Kingdom of Kongo, the Teke Kingdom and the Loango Kingdom. These polities maintained trading networks that reached across Central Africa.
Colonial period
From the late nineteenth century the territory came under French administration within French Equatorial Africa, of which Brazzaville became the federal capital. This period left a deep mark on the administrative and social structures of the country.
Independence
The Republic of the Congo became independent on 15 August 1960. Abbé Fulbert Youlou became the first President of the Republic. The country then set about building its national institutions and its sovereignty.
From the People’s Republic to multiparty politics
From 1969 to 1991 the country was known as the People’s Republic of the Congo. The Sovereign National Conference of 1991 opened the return to multiparty politics and began a new institutional period. The Constitution in force dates from 2015.
The Congo today
Since the 2000s the Republic of the Congo has pursued economic and social development, drawing on its natural resources and gradually diversifying its economy. The country plays an active part in regional and international organisations.