Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa, formerly known as Léopoldville, is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the south bank of the Congo River, about 320 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the largest and most populous cities in the country, as well as its main economic and cultural center. Kinshasa developed from a small village into a large modern city with extensive facilities and services. The city is also known as the world’s largest Francophone urban area. Two airports serve Kinshasa: N’djili Airport (FIH) and N’Dolo Airport. The Matadi-Kinshasa Railway, located in Kongo Central Province, connects the city with the port city of Matadi.

There are many higher education institutions in Kinshasa, including the University of Kinshasa, Université Libre de Kinshasa, the National Institute of Arts, and the Institut Supérieur d'Architecture et Urbanisme. Points of interest in and around the city include the Congo River, Ma Vallée, Texaf Bilembo, Marché Nouveau DAIPN, Église CBFC-Gombe, Mount Mangengenge, Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Congo, Le Premier Shopping Mall, the Musée National de la République Démocratique du Congo, Académie des Beaux-Arts, Cimetière de la Gombe, Cathédrale du Centenaire, Mbudi Nature, Picasso Beach, Parc De Boeck, and Paroisse Sainte Anne.