Kinshasa is the DRC's center of industrial and commercial activity. The city's main industries include food processing and the production of chemicals, paper, steel, tires, shoes, timber, palm oil, construction materials, and textiles. River boat building is also important, and the city is known for the production and sale of traditional African arts and crafts, particularly woodcarvings, masks, and malachite jewelry. Kinshasa is an important center for banking and telecommunications.
Kinshasa is the terminus of Congo River traffic from as far away as Kisangani, the major city in northeastern DRC, located more than 1,600 km (1,000 mi) upstream. The long series of rapids between Kinshasa and the Atlantic Ocean are unnavigable, so passengers and cargo must travel by rail or road to the seaport of Matadi, 265 km (165 mi) southwest of Kinshasa. A paved road also runs east to the city of Kikwit, and ferries provide connections to Brazzaville. Two airports serve Kinshasa: Ndjili International Airport, which is one of the largest in Africa, and the older and smaller but more central Ndolo Airport. Public transportation includes a heavily used system of city and regional buses. Kinshasa is the national center for radio and television broadcasting.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Kinshasa Information info
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