List of Congo Departments and Capitals

Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | 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 Name	Capital City	Region	Area (km²)	Population (Latest Census)
1	Bouenza	Madingou	Southwest	12,265	395,000
2	Brazzaville	Brazzaville	Capital Region	263	2,550,000
3	Cuvette	Owando	North Central	48,250	210,000
4	Cuvette-Ouest	Ewo	Northwest Forest	26,748	95,000
5	Kouilou	Loango	Atlantic Coast	13,650	170,000
6	Lékoumou	Sibiti	South Central	20,950	110,000
7	Likouala	Impfondo	Northeast Forest	66,044	180,000
8	Niari	Dolisie	Southwest	25,925	420,000
9	Plateaux	Djambala	Central Plateau	38,400	190,000
10	Pointe-Noire	Pointe-Noire	Atlantic Coast	44	1,450,000
11	Pool	Kinkala	South Central	33,955	265,000
12	Sangha	Ouésso	Northern Forest	55,800	297,961

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

World Countries and Capitals

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