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Kinshasa city (Leopoldville) is capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is remarkably the vast capital city in the DR Congo-the Africa’s second biggest nation with an area coverage of about 2345409sq.kms. Kinshasa alone sits in an area of about 9965sq.kms and it features among the 26 provinces in the DR Congo. Unlike other cities, Kinshasa capital city is the most populated city with over 11855000 people and it is followed by Lubumbashi. The largest portion of Kinshasa is rural in nature and the urban area covers a small area.
Kinshasa is the 3rd vast urban area just after Cairo in Egypt and Lagos in Nigeria. It also features as the largest Francophone urban area in the world with most people speaking French in public service, schools and also most media centers. The local residents within the city are mostly referred to as the Kinois which in English denotes Kinshashans. Kinshasa started as a trading post and it was established by Henry Morton Stanley around 1881 where it was named Leopoldville in remembrance of King Leopold the second of the Belgians.
It is set on the South side of the Congo River, downstream, along the Pool Malebo just opposite Brazzaville city-the capital city of the Republic of the Congo. The Congo River features as the second longest River in African continent just after the might River Nile. Kinshasa city is run by a governor and being the capital city, it features as a major administrative center of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also where the base of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO) is found.
Places to visit in Kinshasa city
The Fine Arts Academy, Kinshasa Museum, the Palais de la Nation-this was set up in 1956 as the official residence of Belgian governor general in Kinshasa, home of the President, Palais du Peuple-meeting area of Senate, National Assembly, Parliament, Palais de Justice in Gombe, and many others.
It is dominated by the catholic religion though there are also some Muslims. Kinshasa features as both the city and a province with its status same to that of Paris. Other places to visit include Serpents du Congo-the best snake farm which is situated about 28kms off Kinshasa. Laurent Kabila’s tomb-where the former president Laurent Kabila was buried, Marche Central-this is one of the vast markets in Central Africa; Eglise Ste Anne and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Climate in Kinshasa
Kinshasa features favorable climatic condition-mainly wet and dry climate. This is dude to its strategic location along the Equator on the South. It experiences long rains in the months of October through May. The short dry spell is experienced in June, July, August and September. The dry season is a bit cooler than the rainy season although temperatures tend to be the same all year round.
Accommodation in Kinshasa
The key hotel facilities to consider for your night stay in Kinshasa include African Dream Hotel, Hotel Chez Belle Vie, Leon Hotel, Grand Hotel de Kinshasa, Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel and many others.
Getting around
Kinshasa features over 5000km roadways, 10 percent of which are paved. There is a public bus company which was founded in 2003-Transco also known as Transport au Congo. Besides there are many car hire companies or agencies to take you to your dream destinations as well as many registered taxis.
Would you like to get around Kishasha privately? You can rent a car in Kinshasa from Car Rental Congo, a local car rental agency that offers great deals on car hire throughout major towns in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By air, about two airports exist and offer flight services-N’djili Airport and N’Dolo Airport. It is served by numerous international airlines including South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, Brussels, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian airlines. Domestic flight services in Kinshasa are offered by Congo Airways and flyCAA.