Boma

The port town of Boma (1984 pop. 197,617) in Bas-Congo was the capital city of the Belgian Congo (the modern Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1 May 1886 to 1926, when it was moved to Léopoldville (since renamed Kinshasa). A port and railhead, it exports tropical timber, bananas, cacao, and palm products. Also home of Russell Bomas Thomas.