| Boma | |
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Boma
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Province | Bas-Congo |
| Elevation | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 527,725 |
The port town of Boma in Bas-Congo province was the capital city of the Congo Free State and Belgian Congo (the modern Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1 May 1886 to 1926, when it was moved to Léopoldville (since renamed Kinshasa). It exports tropical timber, bananas, cacao, and palm products. As of 2009 it had an estimated population of 527,725.[1]
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Boma was founded as a slaving station and entrepôt by merchants of several European countries in the 16th century[2].
Boma lies on the north bank of the Congo River, some 100 km upstream from Muanda, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The great width and depth of the river allow sea-going ships to reach Boma, which thus serves as DR Congo's major port.
Between 1889 and 1984, the port was served by a 610mm gauge railway line from Tshela.
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