Brazzaville

Brazzaville
Brazzaville Skyline in Amilcar Cabral Avenue
World Health Organization Office
Brazzaville
Map of the Republic of Congo showing Brazzaville
Brazzaville
Brazzaville (Africa)
Coordinates: 4°16′S 15°16′E / 4.267°S 15.267°E / -4.267; 15.267
CountryRepublic of the Congo
Capital districtBrazzaville
DepartmentBrazzaville
CommuneBrazzaville
Founded1883
Founded byPierre Savorgnan de Brazza
Government
  MayorDieudonné Bantsimba
Area
588 km2 (227 sq mi)
Elevation
320 m (1,050 ft)
Population
 (2023 census)
2,145,783
  Density9,450/km2 (24,500/sq mi)
  Urban
2,557,100
  Metro
2,724,566
  Official language
  National languages
  • Kituba
  • Lingala
  • Non-national language : Ciladi
DemonymBrazzavillian
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (WAT)
Area code242
HDI (2021)0.623 · medium · 1st of 12
Websitewww.brazzaville.cg

Brazzaville (French pronunciation: [bʁazavil]) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of the Congo. Administratively, it is a department and a commune. Constituting the financial and administrative centre of the country, it is located on the north side of the Congo River, opposite Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).

The population of the capital is estimated to exceed 2.1 million residents, comprising more than a third of the national populace. Some 40% are employed in non-agricultural professions. During World War II, Brazzaville served as the de facto capital of Free France between 1940 and 1942.

In 2013, Brazzaville was designated a City of Music by UNESCO; since then it has also been a member of the Creative Cities Network.