Mongala is located at the northwest of the country on the Congo River, and borders the provinces of Tshopo, Bas-Uele, Nord-Ubangi, Sud-Ubangi, Équateur and Tshuapa.
It is divided into three territories:
From 1963–1966, Mongala Province was known as Moyen-Congo. However, under Mobutu, the province was reintegrated into the former Équateur province where it was administered as Mongala District, until 2015.
Presidents (later governors) of the Moyen-Congo province were: