Belgian Congo: Map & History
The Belgian Congo was a Belgian colony in Central Africa from 1908 until independence in 1960.
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Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The Belgian Congo was a Belgian colony in Central Africa from 1908 until independence in 1960. It is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Modern Countries Once Part of Belgian Congo
At its mapped extent, Belgian Congo covered territory in 4 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Burundi1916–1962 CE · nearly all
- Rwanda1916–1962 CE · nearly all
- DR Congo1890–1962 CE · nearly all
- Central African Republic1890–1959 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Belgian Congo's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Belgian Congo in Depth
Culture
In popular music, Latin music such as rumba was introduced from Cuba in the 1930s and 1940s during the colonial era, and Latin music was played extensively in the Belgian Congo. House bands became popular, and Congolese rumba were formed. In the 1950s, US jazz was also widely accepted as African jazz. In 1956, Franco formed OK Jazz (later renamed TPOK Jazz). Joseph Kabasele, also known as Le Grand Kallé ('The Great Kallé'), formed African Jazz. Marlo Mashi is a musician of the same era. Congo's popular music evolved from continental rhythm, church music, Ghana's high life, and traditional Congo music.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Belgian Congo (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Belgian Congo: Key Facts
| Capitals | Kinshasa, Boma |
|---|---|
| Official languages | French, Dutch |
| Religion | Catholic Church |
| Form of government | colony |
| Currency | Congolese franc |
| Founded | 15 November 1908 |
| Dissolved | 30 June 1960 |
Preceded by
- Congo Free State
Facts from Wikidata Q213510 (CC0).
Interactive map
Belgian Congo on the World War I map →
See Belgian Congo’s territory change day by day from 4 August 1914, with every battle it fought.
Interactive map
Belgian Congo on the World War II map →
See Belgian Congo’s territory change day by day from 10 May 1940, with every battle it fought.
Belgian Congo Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Belgian Congo appears, with the other states of the time.
Belgian Congo Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 2,358,485 km² in 1937 CE.
Belgian Congo: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Belgian Congo exist?
Belgian Congo is dated to 1890 CE – 1962 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of Belgian Congo?
The capital of Belgian Congo was Boma (1908–1923), Léopoldville (1923–1960).
How large was Belgian Congo at its peak?
At its peak in 1937 Belgian Congo covered about 2,358,485 km².
How did the map of Belgian Congo change over time?
Belgian Congo appears on 3 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1900 CE to 1945 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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