The Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville)
Dinosaurs, prehistoric animals and prehistoric human on stamps of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville)
Contents:
The Republic of the Congo,
also known as the Congo Republic, or
Congo-Brazzaville, is a country located in Central Africa.
It is bordered by five countries:
Gabon to the
west; Cameroon to the northwest; the
Central African Republic
to the northeast; the
Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east and south;
and the Angolan exclave of Cabinda to the southwest.
The region was dominated by Bantu-speaking tribes, who built trade links leading into the Congo River basin.
Congo-Brazzaville was formerly part of the French colony of Equatorial Africa.
Upon independence in 1960, the former colony of French Congo became the Republic of the Congo.
The People's Republic of the Congo was a Marxist–Leninist one-party state from 1970 to 1991.
Multi-party elections have been held since 1992, although a democratically elected
government was ousted in the 1997 Republic of the Congo Civil War and
President Denis Sassou Nguesso has ruled for 26 of the past 36 years.
The political stability and development of hydrocarbon production made
Republic of the Congo the fourth largest oil producer in the Gulf of
Guinea and provided the country with a relative prosperity despite the
poor state of its infrastructure and public services and an unequal
distribution of oil revenues.
[R1]
According to Michel catalogue the first stamp of
Congo-Brazzaville issued on 28.11.1959
in order to commemorate 1 year of independence.
[R2]
Official stamps of People's Republic of the Congo related to Paleontology: dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals
20.07.1970 "Prehistoric animals" |
15.10.1975 "Prehistoric animals" |
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Official stamps of Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) related to Paleontology: dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals
20.08.1993 "Prehistoric animals" |
20.06.1994 "Elephants evolution" |
xx.xx.1998 overprint with "AUTORISE" [1] |
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13.07.1999 "Dinosaurs" |
10.11.1999 "Prehistoric animals" |
17.07.2000 "Scientists" [2] |
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20.06.2003 "Prehistoric and Recent Proboscidea" |
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Notes:
[1] Two stamps of the
set from
1993 overprinted with "AUTORISE" text.
According to
stampedout website
"The late nineteen nineties were chaotic times in the Congo.
Rebels / warlords took control over parts of the country, and seized significant quantities of valid stamps.
To prevent these from being sold or used, the central government had their stock of stamps overprinted,
and declared stamps without overprint invalid."
[2] Skull of
Australopithecus boisei is on the margin, in the top-left corner
Commemorative postmarks of Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) related to Paleontology: dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals
Legend is here
20.08.1993 "Prehistoric animals" [FDC] |
20.06.1994 "Prehistoric elephants" [FDC] |
10.11.1999 "Prehistoric animals" [FDC] |
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References:
- [R1] Republic of Congo/Congo Brazzaville:
Wikipedia,
WikiTravel,
FlagCounter.
- [R2] Postal History and Philately of Republic of Congo/Congo Brazzaville:
Wikipedia,
Links to official website of the Post Authority, stamp catalog and a list of new stamps of Republic of Congo/Congo Brazzaville
are here.
Acknowledgements:
Many thanks to
Dr.
Peter Voice from Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University,
for reviewing the draft page and his very valuable comments.