Kindu is linked by rail to the mining areas of Kalemie, Kamina and Kananga to the south. It also has an airport with a 2,200 metre runway and has historically been an important port along the Congo River system.
History
Ikondu village as seen by Stanley
The town was an important centre for the ivory, gold and the slave trade during the nineteenth century. Arab-Swahili slave traders were based here from about 1860 and sent caravans overland to Zanzibar.[2]
Henry Morton Stanley came upon "this remarkable town" on 5 Dec. 1876, describing it as "remarkably long" with a "broad street, thirty feet wide, and two miles in length" and "behind the village were the banana and the palm groves."[3]: Vol.Two, 132–133
Kindu is located 2°57′S, 25°55′E at an elevation of approximately 1500 ft (450 m) above sea level.
Demographics
The city's population is estimated at between 140,000[4] and 200,000[5] residents. As with the rest of Congo, the vast majority adhere to Christianity. Just under half of the population is Catholic.[6] Slightly under 10% of the population are Anglican[5] and there is also a small Muslim community in the city.
Economy
Local people offering goats for sale.
The main economic activity in Maniema Province is mining. Diamonds, copper, gold and cobalt are mined outside of Kindu.[7] There is also a market in Kindu as well as shops throughout the town.
Government and politics
Kindu is the provincial capital and is home to the provincial assembly and ministries.
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DR Congo
