The Republic of Congo, or Congo-Brazzaville, is a Central African nation with its capital, Brazzaville, on the northern bank of the Congo River. A former French colony, it gained independence in 1960. The country's economy relies heavily on its large oil reserves, making it a significant oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its economic importance, the country has a history of civil wars and faces ongoing struggles with poverty and corruption. The Republic of Congo shares a border with the much larger Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as Congo-Kinshasa, a distinction made due to their different colonial pasts.