What is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Kinshasa. Located on the southern bank of the Congo River, it is also the country’s largest city and its political, economic, and cultural centre.

Kinshasa faces Brazzaville, the capital of the neighbouring Republic of the Congo, across Pool Malebo. The two capitals form one of the world’s closest pairs of national capitals, although the Congo River separates them and there is no direct bridge between the cities. French is the DRC’s official language, while Lingala is widely used in everyday life and popular culture.

The city was known as Léopoldville during the colonial period. It was renamed Kinshasa in 1966, reviving the name of a nearby historic settlement. Kinshasa became the capital of the Belgian Congo in 1923, replacing Boma, and retained that role when the country became independent in 1960.