Kisantu

Kisantu, is a town in the western Democratic Republic of Congo, lying south west of Kinshasa, on the Inkisi River. It is known for its large cathedral and for its botanical gardens, which include an arboretum of indigenous trees.

Location
Kisantu is located in Kongo Central Province, along the eastern bank of the Inkisi River, as it flows northwards to empty into the Congo River. On the western bank of the river, is the settlement called Inkisi. Sometimes the metropolitan area is referred to as Inkisi-Kisantu. This is approximately 231 km northeast of the city of Matadi, the provincial headquarters. Kisantu is located approximately 104 km southwest of the city of Kinshasa, the national capital.

The geographical coordinates of the town are: 05°07'44.0"S, 15°05'05.0"E (Latitude:-5.128889; Longitude:15.084722). The town is located at an average elevation of 404 m above mean sea level.

Overview
One of the tourist attractions to he town is the Kisantu Botanical Gardens (French: Jardin Botanique de Kisantu (KISA)). They were established in 1900 by Father Justin Gillet, a Jesuit priest. Between 2004 and 2008, the gardens were rehabilitated with "the support of the European Union and the National Botanic Garden of Belgium".

The botanical gardens occupy an area that measures approximately 225 ha, bordered to the west by the Inkisi River. There are over 12.5 km of roads and pedestrian pathways within the gardens. The gardens attract researchers, botanists, naturalists, school children and ordinary tourists from inside and outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Population
As of October 2022, the article in this reference estimated the population of Kisantu Town at approximately 78,000 people.

Transport
Kisantu is served by a station on the national railway system. It also has an airport. A good national road (N1), leads north to Kinshasa and southwest to he port city of Matadi.

Prominent people
The legendary DR Congolese saxophonist, composer, bandleader, producer, record label founder, and music-business executive, Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta (19 May 1944 – 13 October 2022), was born in Kisantu.