The second largest agglomeration of sub-Saharan Africa owes its importance to its location at the head of the navigable river network of the Congo, but even more to its function as the capital of one of the biggest countries of the continent. Kinshasa and its surrounding area form a special political unit that is equivalent in status to the country's ten administrative regions. The Kinshasa region has an area of 9,965 km ², although the city proper is considerably smaller. The city center is dominated by the wide Boulevard du 30 Juin ( "June 30 Boulevard "-June 30 is the country's independence day), which runs from the railroad station and ferry terminal in the northeast to the western suburbs. On the eastern end of the boulevard are the city's major offices, banks, and shops. South of this area is the Cit é, a residential quarter that is also known for its sprawling March é Central (French for "Central Market ") and the vibrant nightlife of its Matonge district. Overcrowded and laced with muddy alleys, the Cit é is home to more than half of Kinshasa's residents. In the Ndjili suburb south of the Cit é is the city's international airport and the 150 metres high Monument to the Martyrs of Independence, an impressive structure of four concrete cylinders topped by television towers. Between the airport and railroad station are the Ndolo and Lim ét é neighborhoods, where residential areas and industrial zones are separated by the railroad. On the western end of the central boulevard is Gombe, a plush residential area where the Congolese parliament and high court and most foreign embassies are located. Immediately west of Mount Ngali éma, in the western hills overlooking the city, is the exclusive Binza residential district. West of Binza is the Ile des Mimosas (Isle of Mimosas), located above scenic rapids in the Congo River.

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