Country | Congo, Democratic Republic of the |
Population | 16316000 |
Area | 9,965 km2 (3,848 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+1 (West Africa Time) |
Coordinates | -4.32758, 15.31357 |
Highest elevation | 240 m (790 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Kinshasa, formerly known as Léopoldville until 1966, is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). With a 2024 estimated population of 17,032,322, Kinshasa is the most populous city in Africa and the third-largest metropolitan area on the continent. The city, located on the southern shore of the Pool Malebo, covers 9,965 square kilometers and has an average altitude of about 300 meters. It is bordered by the Mai-Ndombe, Kwilu, and Kwango provinces to the east, and the Congo River to the west and north, which also separates it from Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo.
Kinshasa serves as the DRC’s economic, political, and cultural center. The city’s economy is diverse, featuring industries such as manufacturing, telecommunications, banking, and entertainment. It hosts several key institutional buildings, including the Palais du Peuple, Palais de la Nation, and Stade des Martyrs. The Kinshasa Financial Center is a notable landmark in the city’s business district.
Historically, the site of Kinshasa was inhabited by Bantu people for centuries before becoming a commercial hub. The city was named Léopoldville in honor of King Leopold II of Belgium by explorer Henry Morton Stanley. During Mobutu Sese Seko’s Zairianisation campaign in 1966, the name was changed to Kinshasa, reflecting the name of a local village.
Kinshasa is one of the 26 provinces of the DRC and is divided into 24 communes, further subdivided into 365 neighborhoods. Despite rapid urban growth, over 90% of the province’s land remains rural. The city is the largest Francophone urban area globally, with French used for government, education, and high-end commerce, while Lingala is the lingua franca.
Culturally, Kinshasa is rich and vibrant. It was designated a City of Music by UNESCO in December 2015 and has been a member of the Creative Cities Network since then. The city is home to the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which houses a vast collection of art and historical artifacts. Kinshasa also boasts several universities, including the National Pedagogical University and the College of Advanced Studies in Strategy and Defense.
Kinshasa’s infrastructure includes the N’Djili International Airport, the largest airport in the DRC, with 12 international flights per day. The city also features the Nsele Valley Park, the largest urban park in Kinshasa, which is home to diverse fauna and flora.
Economically, Kinshasa is a major African financial center, with significant influence on commerce, technology, and education. The city’s economy is bolstered by its status as a hub for many industries and its extensive port traffic. Kinshasa ranks as Africa’s most expensive city for expatriate employees, reflecting its importance and the cost of living in the city.
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