Why are the capitals, Brazzaville and Kinshasa so close geographically?

Brazzaville and Kinshasa are located close to each other geographically because they were originally part of the same kingdom and inhabited by the same ethnic group, the Bantu people. The area was divided by the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, which partitioned Africa among European powers.

The Congo River, one of the largest and most powerful rivers in the world, runs through the region and forms a natural border between the two countries. Brazzaville is located on the north bank of the river, while Kinshasa is on the south bank.

During the colonial period, the French established Brazzaville as the capital of French Congo, while the Belgians established Kinshasa as the capital of Belgian Congo. After gaining independence from their respective colonial powers in the 1960s, the two countries chose to maintain their respective capitals in their current locations.

The proximity of the two capitals has resulted in significant economic, cultural, and social ties between the two cities and countries. The two capitals are connected by several bridges, ferries, and other transportation infrastructure, which facilitates the movement of people and goods between them.