List of Congo Departments and Capitals

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026

The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, is divided into 12 departments. Here is a list of the departments in Congo:

The Republic of the Congo is a country in Central Africa bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is divided into 12 departments, including the capital district of Brazzaville. Brazzaville is the national capital and also the largest city in the Republic of the Congo.

Large parts of the country are covered by tropical rainforest, rivers, and wetlands connected to the Congo Basin. Oil production is important along the coast, while river transport and forestry play a major role in many inland departments.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Brazzaville
  • Total population: 6,332,961 (Official estimate 2024)
  • Total area: 342,000 km² (132,047 sq miles)
  • Currency: Central African CFA Franc (FCFA, XAF)
  • Bordering countries: Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola (Cabinda exclave)
  • Total Departments: 12
  • Total Districts: 86+

List of Departments and Capitals of the Republic of the Congo

Total departments shown: 12 | Combined population: 6,332,961 | Combined area: 342,000 km²

#Department NameCapital CityRegionArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1BouenzaMadingouSouthwest12,265395,000
2BrazzavilleBrazzavilleCapital Region2632,550,000
3CuvetteOwandoNorth Central48,250210,000
4Cuvette-OuestEwoNorthwest Forest26,74895,000
5KouilouLoangoAtlantic Coast13,650170,000
6LékoumouSibitiSouth Central20,950110,000
7LikoualaImpfondoNortheast Forest66,044180,000
8NiariDolisieSouthwest25,925420,000
9PlateauxDjambalaCentral Plateau38,400190,000
10Pointe-NoirePointe-NoireAtlantic Coast441,450,000
11PoolKinkalaSouth Central33,955265,000
12SanghaOuéssoNorthern Forest55,800297,961

Largest Departments by Area

  • Likouala - 25,500 sq mi (66,044 km²)
  • Sangha - 21,544 sq mi (55,800 km²)
  • Cuvette - 18,630 sq mi (48,250 km²)
  • Plateaux - 14,826 sq mi (38,400 km²)
  • Pool - 13,110 sq mi (33,955 km²)
  • Cuvette-Ouest - 10,328 sq mi (26,748 km²)
  • Niari - 10,010 sq mi (25,925 km²)
  • Lékoumou - 8,089 sq mi (20,950 km²)

Most Populous Departments

  • Brazzaville - Population: 2,550,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Pointe-Noire - Population: 1,450,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Niari - Population: 420,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Bouenza - Population: 395,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Sangha - Population: 297,961 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Pool - Population: 265,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Cuvette - Population: 210,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Plateaux - Population: 190,000 (Official Estimate 2024)

Smallest Departments by Area

  • Pointe-Noire - 17 sq mi (44 km²)
  • Brazzaville - 102 sq mi (263 km²)
  • Bouenza - 4,735 sq mi (12,265 km²)
  • Kouilou - 5,270 sq mi (13,650 km²)
  • Lékoumou - 8,089 sq mi (20,950 km²)
  • Niari - 10,010 sq mi (25,925 km²)

Departments by Regional Grouping

  • Capital Region: Brazzaville
  • Atlantic Coast: Kouilou, Pointe-Noire
  • Southwest: Bouenza, Niari
  • South Central: Lékoumou, Pool
  • Central Plateau: Plateaux
  • North Central: Cuvette
  • Northwest Forest: Cuvette-Ouest
  • Northeast Forest: Likouala
  • Northern Forest: Sangha

Landlocked Departments

  • Bouenza
  • Brazzaville
  • Cuvette
  • Cuvette-Ouest
  • Lékoumou
  • Likouala
  • Niari
  • Plateaux
  • Pool
  • Sangha

Departments with Coastline

  • Kouilou
  • Pointe-Noire

Departments Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • Gabon: Kouilou, Niari, Sangha
  • Cameroon: Sangha
  • Central African Republic: Likouala, Sangha
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo: Brazzaville, Cuvette, Likouala, Pool, Plateaux
  • Angola (Cabinda): Kouilou

Sources

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