There is no real history on Congo until the 15th century. Many people joke that is was just inhabited by pygmies. However, by the 15th century, the two kingdoms that inhabited the current area of Congo, had become major trading points along the Congo River. They soon formulated into a slave exchange for many of the European countries. They were also dominated and operated by the French. The commerce ended in the early 19th century and the power of the kingdoms eroded. The French decided to take advantage of the unoccupied land that once was the two kingdoms, and sent the French explorer Pierre de Savorgnan de Brazza to pioneer the land in 1880. Later in 1891, it was named a French colony. Economic development during the first 50 years of colonial rule in Congo centered on natural resource extraction by private companies. Congo did not become independent until 1960. Eventually the Republic of Congo was created when the government split into Republic and Democratic.

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Title: Congo
Approximate Word Count: 400
Approximate Pages: 2 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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