Katanga

American  

[kuh-tang-guh] / kəˈtæŋ gə /

noun

1. a former province in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that is an important mining area, split in 2015 into four new provinces. 191,878 sq. mi. (496,964 sq. km). Lubumbashi.

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Katanga British  

/ kəˈtæŋɡə /

noun

1. Former name (1972–97): Shaba.  a region of SE Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaïre): site of a secessionist movement during the 1960s and again in 1993; important for hydroelectric power and rich mineral resources (copper and tin ore). Pop: estimates vary between 4 000 000 (1998) and 8 000 000 (2006). Area: 496 964 sq km (191 878 sq miles)

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Etymology

Origin of Katanga

First recorded in 1875–80; named after Katanga, a local chief

Example Sentences

With Belgian support, the mineral-rich Katanga province was encouraged by Belgian mining interests to secede, and the white-dominated Force Publique, the Belgian colonial army, revolted.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2024

The private watchdog group Human Rights Watch has cited violence by supporters of the ruling party and leading opposition candidate Moise Katumbi, 55, the charismatic former governor of the mineral-rich Katanga province.

From Washington Times • Dec. 18, 2023

But she said new pockets of insecurity also have emerged in other parts of the country, notably the Greater Katanga region and Mai-Ndombe and Tshopo provinces.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 11, 2023

In a speech posted on his X social media account, Matata Ponyo said he would throw his support behind Moise Katumbi, a millionaire businessman and former governor of the copper-rich Katanga region.

From Reuters • Nov. 19, 2023

He also spent some time at the diamond mines down south in Katanga, where he says one-quarter of all the world’s diamonds come from.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver