Boma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Boma | |
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| Country |  Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Province | Bas-Congo |
| Elevation | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 527,725 |
The port town of Boma in Bas-Congo province was the capital city of the Congo Free State and Belgian Congo (the modern Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1 May 1886 to 1926, when it was moved to Léopoldville (since renamed Kinshasa). It exports tropical timber, bananas, cacao, and palm products. As of 2009 it had an estimated population of 527,725.[1]
History
Boma was founded as a slaving station and entrepôt by merchants of several European countries in the 16th century[2].
Transport
Boma lies on the north bank of the Congo River, some 100 km upstream from Muanda, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The great width and depth of the river allow sea-going ships to reach Boma, which thus serves as DR Congo's major port.
Between 1889 and 1984, the port was served by a 610mm gauge railway line from Tshela.
People
- Antoine-Roger Bolamba, politician and poet, was born here in 1913.[3]
See also
References
- ^ "Congo (Dem. Rep.): largest cities and towns and statistics of their population". World Gazetteer. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
- ^ Template:MW 1935
- ^ European-language writing in sub-Saharan Africa, Volume 1, Albert S. Gerard, accessed March 2010
External links
External links
05°51′00″S 13°03′00″E / 5.85000°S 13.05000°E
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