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Boma | |
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Ville de Boma | |
![]() ![]() ![]() Clockwise from top: View of Boma, Boma cathedral, Notre Dame de l'Assomption Church | |
Coordinates: 5°51′S 13°03′E / 5.850°S 13.050°E | |
Country | ![]() |
Province | Kongo Central |
Founded | 16th century |
City status | 1963 |
Communes | Kabondo, Kalamu, Nzadi |
Government | |
• Mayor | Senghor Mbutiyibi |
Area | |
• Total | 65 km2 (25 sq mi) |
Elevation | 61 m (200 ft) |
Population (2012)[2] | |
• Total | 162,521 |
• Density | 2,500/km2 (6,500/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (West Africa Time) |
Climate | Aw |
Boma is a port town on the Congo River, some 100 kilometres (62 mi) upstream from the Atlantic Ocean, in the Kongo Central Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), adjacent to the border with Angola. It had an estimated population of 162,521 in 2012.[2]
Boma was the capital city of the Congo Free State and Belgian Congo (the modern Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1 May 1886 to 1923, when the capital was moved to Léopoldville (since renamed Kinshasa). The port handles exports of tropical timber, bananas, cocoa, and palm products.