It was known as the Belgian Congo until it became independent in 1960 as the Democratic Republic of the Congo; its name was changed to Zaire in 1971. 

The extreme western portion of the country is a narrow wedge terminating in a 40-km (25-mi) strip along the Atlantic Ocean. 

The greatest width of the country is about 1930 km (about 1200 mi); its greatest length from north to south is about 2010 km (about 1250 mi). 

Its total area is 2,344,885 sq km (905,365 sq mi). 

Kinshasa is the capital and largest city.