The Republic of the Congo is a country located in central Africa that is often referred to by different names. One common synonym is Congo-Brazzaville, which differentiates it from its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Another term used is simply Congo or sometimes the Congo Republic. The country was also known as French Congo during the colonial era, as it was a former French colony. The official language of the country is French and it has a diverse population of over five million people. The Republic of the Congo boasts stunning natural beauty, and its diverse wildlife and tropical rainforest attract thousands of tourists each year.