Belgian Congo
former Belgian colony corresponding to the modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Belgian Congo was a Belgian colony in central Africa. It was formed in 1908. The government of Belgium took over the previously separate kingdom of Belgium's monarch Léopold II; the Congo Free State. Today it is called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It existed between Léopold II's formal transfer of his personal control to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.[5]
Quick Facts Colony of the Belgian Congo, Status ...
Colony of the Belgian Congo
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1908–1960 | |||||||||
Motto: Travail et Progrès "Work and Progress" | |||||||||
Anthem: National Anthem of Belgium | |||||||||
Status | Colony of Belgium | ||||||||
Capital | Boma (1908–1926) Léopoldville (1926–1960) 4°19′S 15°19′E | ||||||||
Common languages | |||||||||
Religion | Catholicism (de facto)[4] | ||||||||
King | |||||||||
• 1908–1909 | Leopold II | ||||||||
• 1909–1934 | Albert I | ||||||||
• 1934–1951 | Leopold III | ||||||||
• 1951–1960 | Baudouin I | ||||||||
Governor-General | |||||||||
• 1908–1912 | Théophile Wahis (first) | ||||||||
• 1958–1960 | Hendrik Cornelis (last) | ||||||||
History | |||||||||
• Annexed by Belgium | 15 November 1908 | ||||||||
• Independence declared | 30 June 1960 | ||||||||
Area | |||||||||
1960 | 2,344,858 km2 (905,355 sq mi) | ||||||||
Population | |||||||||
• 1960 | 16,610,000 | ||||||||
Currency | Belgian Congo franc | ||||||||
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Today part of | DR Congo |
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