Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: June 17, 2026
Kinshasa is the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, located in the western part of the country along the Congo River. Situated at approximately 4.4419° S latitude and 15.2663° E longitude, the city covers about 9,965 sq km (3,848 sq mi) and has an estimated population of around 17 million people.
Location Map of Kinshasa, Republic Of The Congo
About Map: The map shows the location of Kinshasa in the Republic Of The Congo.
Where is Kinshasa Located?
Kinshasa is the largest and capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The inhabitants of Kinshasa are popularly known as Kinois in French and Kinshasans in English.
Interestingly, the capital city (Republic of Cong) Brazzaville lies on the opposite side of Kinshasa (on the other side of Congo River). With the large urbanization and development, Kinshasa is the second largest city in sub-Saharan Africa. The language of the city is French; it is one of the largest French speaking cities of the world. The climate type of the city is tropical wet and dry.
Kinshasa, Kinshasa Province Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Kinshasa |
| Province | Kinshasa |
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| National Capital | Kinshasa |
| Region | Western Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Latitude | 4.4419° S |
| Longitude | 15.2663° E |
| Elevation | 787 ft (240 m) |
| Land Area | 386 sq mi |
| Water Area | Includes Congo River and urban waterways |
| Total Area | 386 sq mi |
| Population (Latest Estimate) | Approximately 17 million |
| Population Density | Approximately 44,000 per sq mi |
| Postal Codes | Various municipal postal districts |
| Area Code | +243 |
| Time Zone Standard | West Africa Time (UTC+1) |
| Time Zone Daylight | No daylight saving time observed |
| Currency | Congolese Franc (CDF) |
| Administrative Code | Ville-Province de Kinshasa |
| National Representation | National Assembly Constituencies |
Nearby Cities to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo - 3 mi North
- Kinkole, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 18 mi East
- Maluku, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 47 mi East
- Mbanza-Ngungu, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 86 mi Southwest
- Kasangulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 31 mi Southwest
- Luozi, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 82 mi Southwest
- Inkisi, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 75 mi Southwest
- Kisantu, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 67 mi Southwest
- Madingou, Republic of the Congo - 112 mi Northwest
- Dolisie, Republic of the Congo - 165 mi West
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 87 | 72 | 5.8 |
| April | 86 | 72 | 7.5 |
| July | 82 | 66 | 0.1 |
| October | 86 | 72 | 6.2 |
| Annual | 85 | 70 | 55.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Aw - Tropical Savanna |
| Annual Rainfall | Approximately 55 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 2,000 sunshine hours |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very Low |
| Snowfall | No snowfall |
Driving Distances from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| City | Province/Region | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinkole | Kinshasa | 18 | 35 min |
| Kasangulu | Kongo Central | 31 | 50 min |
| Maluku | Kinshasa | 47 | 1 hr 10 min |
| Kisantu | Kongo Central | 67 | 1 hr 30 min |
| Inkisi | Kongo Central | 75 | 1 hr 45 min |
| Luozi | Kongo Central | 82 | 2 hr |
| Mbanza-Ngungu | Kongo Central | 86 | 2 hr |
| Madingou | Republic of the Congo | 112 | 2 hr 40 min |
| Dolisie | Republic of the Congo | 165 | 3 hr 30 min |
| Brazzaville | Republic of the Congo | 3 | Ferry Connection |
Transportation and Connectivity in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| Airport Name | N'djili International Airport |
| IATA Code | FIH |
| Port | Port of Kinshasa |
| Major Highways | Route Nationale 1, Boulevard Lumumba, Boulevard du 30 Juin |
| Train Service | Limited National Rail Connections |
| Local Transit Service | Public Buses, Shared Taxis and River Transport |
- Route Nationale 1 - Main highway linking Kinshasa with Kongo Central Province.
- Boulevard Lumumba - Major corridor connecting downtown with the international airport.
- Boulevard du 30 Juin - One of the city's primary commercial and government routes.
- Port of Kinshasa - Key inland port on the Congo River.
- Kinshasa-Brazzaville Ferry - Important cross-river connection between the two capitals.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Palais de la Nation | Government Landmark |
| Lola ya Bonobo | Wildlife Sanctuary |
| National Museum of the DRC | Museum |
| Académie des Beaux-Arts | Cultural Institution |
| People's Palace | Government Building |
| Kinshasa Zoo | Zoo |
| Jardin Zoologique et Botanique | Botanical Garden |
| Ma Vallée Lake | Nature Attraction |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral | Religious Site |
| Congo River Waterfront | Riverfront Area |
Places to Visit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Palais de la Nation | Government Landmark |
| Lola ya Bonobo | Wildlife Sanctuary |
| National Museum of the DRC | Museum |
| Académie des Beaux-Arts | Cultural Institution |
| People's Palace | Government Building |
| Kinshasa Zoo | Zoo |
| Jardin Zoologique et Botanique | Botanical Garden |
| Ma Vallée Lake | Nature Attraction |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral | Religious Site |
| Congo River Waterfront | Riverfront Area |
Colleges and Universities in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kinshasa | Public | University | Higher education and research |
| Protestant University in the Congo | Private | University | Law and social sciences |
| National Pedagogical University | Public | University | Teacher education |
| Catholic University of the Congo | Private | University | Humanities and theology |
| Higher Institute of Applied Techniques | Public | University Institute | Engineering and technology |
Waterbodies in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Congo River, Pool Malebo, Nsele River, Ndjili River, Lukaya River, Ma Vallée Lake, Kinkole Bay, Malebo Pool, Funa River, Lukunga River
Golf Courses in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa Golf Club, Golf de Kinshasa, Cercle de Kinshasa Golf Course, Kin Oasis Golf Practice Facility, Nsele Valley Golf Grounds
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Key Historical Facts
- Kinshasa began as a trading post established by explorer Henry Morton Stanley in the late nineteenth century.
- The city was originally known as Léopoldville during the Belgian colonial period.
- Kinshasa became the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo upon independence in 1960.
- The city was officially renamed Kinshasa in 1966 as part of a national cultural identity movement.
- Its location on the Congo River helped it develop into one of Central Africa's largest urban centers.
- Today, Kinshasa is among the largest French-speaking cities in the world and serves as the country's political and economic hub.
References
- Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- National Institute of Statistics DRC
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Kinshasa
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