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

Katumbi, the former governor of the rich mining province of Katanga, has received endorsements from four other candidates who dropped out of the race.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 12, 2023

Seth Kikuni and Franck Diongo are the latest opposition candidates to throw their support behind 58-year-old Katumbi, a millionaire businessman and former governor of the copper-rich Katanga region.

From Reuters • Nov. 20, 2023

“Down south, Katanga Province. The new nation of Katanga, I should say. Did you know Katanga has seceded from the Congo?”

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver