Border history · 1886–2023

Democratic Republic of the Congo borders over time

CShapes records 6 changes to the borders of Democratic Republic of the Congo (also recorded as Zaire, Belgian Congo) between 1886 and 2023. It has been independent since June 30, 1960. Its territory covers 2,326,639 km², more than the 2,011,837 km² it covered in 1886. The largest single change came on June 11, 1891, when it gained about 209,664 km².

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Border changes
6
Area today
2,326,639 km²
Largest change
+209,664 km² (1891)
Status
Independent since 1960
June 30, 1960 – presentChoose a period to see its borders. The dashed line is the period before.

Timeline of Democratic Republic of the Congo's borders

Each period is one border version in CShapes, with its area and the change from the period before.

  1. January 1, 1886 – May 24, 1891

    2,011,837 km²First recorded versionRuled by BelgiumWorld map in 1886

  2. May 25, 1891 – June 10, 1891

    2,011,837 km²±0 km²Ruled by Belgium

  3. June 11, 1891 – August 13, 1894

    2,221,501 km²+209,664 km²Ruled by BelgiumWorld map in 1891

  4. August 14, 1894 – October 17, 1908

    2,380,999 km²+159,498 km²Ruled by BelgiumWorld map in 1895

  5. October 18, 1908 – June 15, 1910

    2,380,999 km²±0 km²Ruled by BelgiumWorld map in 1909

  6. June 16, 1910 – June 29, 1960

    2,326,639 km²−54,360 km²Ruled by BelgiumWorld map in 1910

  7. June 30, 1960 – present

    2,326,639 km²±0 km²IndependentWorld map in 1960

What changed

Independence, transfers between rulers, and border changes recorded for this country.

  1. Democratic Republic of the Congo gains about 209,665 km² of territory.
  2. Democratic Republic of the Congo gains about 159,498 km² of territory.
  3. Democratic Republic of the Congo loses about 54,360 km² of territory.
  4. Democratic Republic of the Congo becomes independent from Belgium.