Question: when did the drc gain independence from belgium
Answer: a - Urundi ( light green ) , 1935 Status Colony of Belgium Capital Boma ( 1908 - 1926 ) Léopoldville ( 1926 - 1960 ) Common languages French ( official ) Also : Dutch , Lingala Kongo Swahili Tshiluba Religion Christianity , Baluba religion , Bantu religion King 1908 -- 1909 Leopold II 1909 -- 1934 Albert I 1934 -- 1951 Leopold III 1951 -- 1960 Baudouin I Governor - General 1908 -- 1910 Théophile Wahis ( first ) 1958 -- 1960 Hendrik Cornelis ( last ) Annexed by Belgium 15 November 1908 Independence declared 30 June 1960 Area 1960 2,344,858 km ( 905,355 sq mi ) Population 1960 16,610,000 Currency Belgian Congo franc ISO 3166 code CG Preceded by Succeeded by Congo Free State Republic of the Congo ( Léopoldville ) Today part of DR Congo