Congo-Nil Guide du Congo-Belge 1948 - 1949

Bruxelles: Societe Des Chemins De Fer Vicinaux Du Congo / Imprimerie Lelateur. Very Good. 1948. Sixth. Paperback. 639, (1) pages; Complete and secure in original pictorial wrappers; institutional mark on tp stamped "withdrawn", small ink number at base of spine, otherwise clean and unmarked. Wrappers worn and chipped along yapped edges. Two folding maps at rear, complete with just a couple small holes at corner of folds; paper toned and fragile. OCLC 66288446 A detailed guide to the means of travel and the various sights and activities of interest to both business and tourist travellers. Much history and cultural information, economic and business information, as well as geographic, flora and fauna guidance (scientific and related to hunting and fishing). Illustrated with b&w photographs. The Société des Chemins de Fer Vicinaux du Congo (lit.?'Company of Minor Railways of the Congo'), known as CVC or Vicicongo, was a railway company that operated the narrow gauge Vicicongo line and provided trucking services in the northeast Belgian Congo, and then in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 1924 and 1974. It provided transport for agricultural goods produced in the northeast that were shipped on the Congo River to Léopoldville (Kinshasa). After independence in 1960 there were civil disturbances and the railway was poorly maintained. The company was taken over by the state in 1974. Later there were further disturbances in which the stations were destroyed and the rolling stock used as a source of metal. The track is decrepit and no longer usable. .