Mbanza-Ngungu

Mbanza-Ngungu, formerly known as Thysville or Thysstad, named after Albert Thys, is a city and territory in Kongo Central Province in the western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, lying on a short branch off the Matadi-Kinshasa Railway. It has a population of nearly 100,000 people.

Mbanza-Ngungu
Territory
Mbanza-Ngungu
Coordinates: 5°15′S 14°52′E
Country	DR Congo
Province	Kongo Central
Seat	Mbanza-Ngungu
Area
• Total	8,190 km2 (3,160 sq mi)
Population  (2004)
• Total	100,000
• Density	12/km2 (32/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)

Overview

Formerly known as a resort town, it is home to the Thysville Caves, which encompass the entire range of the colourless African blind barb. It is home to a major FARDC garrison: the 1st Armoured Brigade was based here during the early 1990s period.^[1] The 1st Armoured Brigade was first listed in the IISS Military Balance in 1982-83 edition, implying that the brigade may have been created during that period.^[2] The city's other main industry is railway engineering.

The city is currently the main site of Kongo University.

Notable people

• Daniel Mukoko Samba (born 1959), politician

Gallery

Swiss photographer Annemarie Schwarzenbach, took photos from May 1941 until March 1942. They are shown below.

• 
  Two (2) trains, one has derailed, the other came to help.
• 
  Daily life.
• 
  View of the village.
• 
  Hills around Mbanza-Ngungu.

See also

• List of railway stations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Tintin in the Congo

References

1. Ed. by Sandra W. Meditz and Tim Merrill, Country Study for Zaire, 1993, Library of Congress
2. IISS Military Balance 82/83, page 71