Likouala is a department of the Republic of the Congo in the northern part of the country. It borders the departments of Cuvette and Sangha, and internationally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. The region has an area of 66,044 km² and an estimated population of almost 360,000. The chief town is Impfondo. Principal cities and towns include Epena and Dongou.

History

The earliest inhabitants of the region were the Aka people, a Pygmy tribe. During the Bantu expansion, they were pushed into the forests by newcomers.

Historically, this department was cut off from part of Lobaye, an area of the Central African Republic.

Between 1984 and 2002 the population of Likouala Department more than tripled, due in large part to inflows of refugees from the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and the DRC. During this period, refugees made up more than half of the population, mostly concentrated in Impfondo and Betou.

Administrative divisions

thumb|Districts of Likouala

Likouala Department is divided into seven districts:

Districts

  1. Impfondo District
  2. Epena District
  3. Dongou District
  4. Bétou District
  5. Bouanéla District
  6. Enyellé District
  7. Liranga District

Geography

Likouala is almost covered with dense and often flooded forests of lakes and very full of fish ponds. Its ground is argillaceous and sandy by places. The north of the department belongs to the mountainous Massif Oubanguien. The shallow Lac Tele is 5 km across and circular in shape.

Climate

Likouala has a tropical climate. The dry season is from March to July, the remainder of the year being dominated by the rainy season. The variations in temperatures are in general important (24° to 25°C). Mongouala, and Motaba.

Wildlife and conservation

The region is undergoing a campaign to minimise hunting and reduce the impact of logging due to the establishment of nature reserves in the region.

The forest of Likouala abounds in animal species such as elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees. Likouala is home to, among other animals, the dwarf crocodile Osteolaemus tetraspis osborni.

Mythological creatures

Reports of a surviving sauropod called the Mokele Mbembe or n'yamala emanate from here.

Bibliography

  • O'Hanlon, R: No Mercy: a journey to the heart of the Congo

References

  • A French site about the region

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