|
Lubumbashi is a city in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo or Zaire. Formerly, Lubumbashi was called Elisabethville. It is the capital city of Katanga province. This is one of the most important cities of Zaire in terms of education and economy.
Lubumbashi is the principal commercial and industrial center of the province since 1910. This area is one of the best known areas of Zaire rich in mineral resources. The major industry of Lubumbashi is the Copper smelting. Minerals including zinc, cobalt, and cadmium from the adjacent mines are also processed in these smelting furnaces at large quantity. Textiles, beverages, bricks, food products and printed materials are manufactured largely here.
Lubumbashi in Zaire is the second largest city of the country. The education in Lubumbashi is renowned for the University of Kinshasa, founded in 1955 and the regional museum, with the exquisite collection of African art.
This city was founded as a mining camp and named Elisabethville in honor of Elisabeth, who was the queen of the Belgians. The city was under Belgian control up to 1960, when Zaire gained its independence. Katanga was declared as an independent nation since then. Population of Lubumbashi city as estimated in 1991 was around 739,082. Lubumbashi is a city near the border of Zambia. The city houses one of the renowned universities of Africa, a unique museum, and a modern and well-equipped airport.
|
