Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/836

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COXGO INDEPENDENT STATE

Years

Imports

Exports

Special

General

Special

General Francs

1 !

Francs

Francs

Francs

1893

9,175,103

10,148,418

6,206,135

7,514,791

1894

11,194,723

11,854,022

8,761,622

11,031,704

1895

10,685,848

11,836,034

10,943,019

12,135,656

1896

15,227,776

16,040,371

12,389,600

15,091,138

i 1897

22,181.462

23,427,198

15,146,976

17,457,090

111 the special trade of 1897 the chief imports and exports

were : —

Imports

Value

Exports

Value

Francs

Francs

Arms and ammunition ,

1,754,500

Rubber

8,311,900

Machinery

3,532,400

Ivory.

4,916,480

Metals ....

3,213,700

Palm -nuts.

1,098,880

Drinks ....

1,323,700

Palm-oil

650,210

Food substances

3,680,000

Tissues and clothing

5,898,700

Of the special imports the value of 16,272,000 francs came from Belgium ; 2,593,250 francs from Great Britain; 1,174,860 francs from Germany; 911,013 francs from Holland. Of the general exports the value of 12,882,900 francs went to Belgium ; 2,348,100 francs to Holland ; 1,157,740 francs to neighbouring Portuguese possessions.

At the ports of Boma and Banana in 1897 of sea-going vessels there entered 201 of 342,809 tons, and cleared 206 of 348,657 tons. Of the tonnage entered 120,369 was Belgian, 123,433 British, and 67,618 German ; of the tonnage cleared, 120,369 was Belgian, 123,256 British, and 71,231 Germany. In the coasting trade there entered 434 vessels of 16,877 tons, and cleared 453 of 17,194 tons. There is regular steam communication (monthly) with Antwerp, and frequent steam communication with Liverpool, Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Lisbon.

Internal Communications.

The Congo 1$ navigable for about 100 miles from its mouth to Matadi, and on this section 6 steamers belonging to the State ply. Above this, for over 200 miles, are numerous rapids, which render the river unnavigable as far as Stanley Pool (Leopoldville). Above the Pool theic are about 1,000 miles of navigable water, as far as Stanley Falls, while several of the great tributaries are navigable over a considerable extent of their course.

A railway of about 250 miles in length, running at an average distance of 20 miles south of the river, connects Matadi with Stanley Pool. This railway is now open for traffic in its whole length. From Leopoldville a public trans- port service on the Upper Congo has been organised by the Government, 22 steamers being employed for this purpose.

In 1898 there were in the State 19 post offices. In 1897 in the internal service 82,128 letters, papers, &c. , were transmitted ; and in the external, 261,264. The State is included in the Postal Union.

The legal money is as in Belgium.