Boma

Boma is a port city situated on the northern bank of the Congo River, roughly 100 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean in Kongo Central Province. It functions as a major harbor where timber, bananas, and cocoa move through for trade.

The city served as the capital of Belgian Congo from 1886 to 1923, functioning as the center of administration during that era. Political power then shifted to Kinshasa, fundamentally changing its role.

Daily life revolves around fishing, farming, and trading at local markets, where people gather to sell their goods and exchange news. The river remains central to how residents work and socialize together.

Visitors are best served by exploring during the dry season when roads and pathways are easier to navigate. The city can be walked on foot, though local transport helps cover longer distances.

The church here stands among the earliest religious structures built in the country and speaks to that formative era. The building itself tells through its architecture of the influences and transformations the region experienced.

Location: Kongo Central

Elevation above the sea: 61 m

GPS coordinates: -5.85000,13.05000

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:43