World’s closest capital cities just two miles apart split by a river with no bridge

The African capitals sit on opposite banks of the Congo River. (Image: Getty)

Capital cities tend to be far apart from each other for various reasons. For example, if we take London and Paris, the cities are 215 miles apart. 

But that’s not the case when it comes to the capital cities of two African nations.

Kinshasa and Brazzaville are two capital cities that are so close they almost touch. 

Just two miles apart, these African capitals sit on opposite banks of the Congo River, making them the world’s closest pair of capital cities. However, despite their proximity, there’s no bridge linking them.

Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Image: Getty)

While Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of the Congo with a population of just under three million.

The reason for the closeness of the two cities dates back to colonial times. 

Brazzaville was a French colonial capital, while Kinshasa, then called Leopoldville, was under Belgian rule. 

The colonial powers built railroads starting from opposite sides of the river, bringing the cities within arm’s reach of each other.

Today, however, travel between Kinshasa and Brazzaville is mostly by ferries or boats. 

Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of the Congo with a population of around three million. (Image: Getty)

There’s also a five-minute flight available, but crossing the river isn’t as easy as it sounds. It’s often expensive, and legal issues can make the process complicated.

Plans for a bridge to connect the two cities have been talked about for years. The proposed 2.5-mile road-and-rail bridge would make travel much easier and boost trade. 

The African Development Bank has even pledged £223 million ($290 million) for the project, covering over half of the cost. 

However, the bridge has faced delays due to funding gaps, political concerns, and environmental challenges. 

Relocating water and power lines and addressing potential damage to nearby homes have added to the delays.

Brazzaville was a French colonial capital, while Kinshasa was under Belgian rule. (Image: Getty)

Despite these obstacles, the two cities are deeply connected with each other. 

People regularly move between Kinshasa and Brazzaville, with the river acting more as a shared link than a dividing border. 

Migration often depends on the political stability of each country, which can change quickly.

Both cities have a tropical climate with hot temperatures all year-round. The rainy season runs from October to May, while the dry season lasts from May to September. 

April is the hottest month, with temperatures reaching 32C, while July, the coolest, still averages around 27C. Rainstorms are common but short.

For anyone who plans to travel, the British Government has issued some travel advice. 

Travel advice for DRC can be found here. 

Travel advice for the Republic of the Congo can be found here.