Lubumbashi, formerly Elisabethville, city in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, formerly Zaire), capital of Katanga Region. The principal commercial and industrial center of the region, Lubumbashi is in an area rich in mineral resources. Copper smelting is the major industry, and zinc, cobalt, and cadmium from the nearby mines are also processed. Noteworthy are the Lubumbashi campus of the University of Kinshasa (1955) and the regional museum, with its collection of African art.
Founded in 1910 by the Belgians as a mining camp and named Elisabethville in honor of Elisabeth, queen of the Belgians, the city prospered as its rich mineral resources were developed. It remained under Belgian control until 1960, when the DRC gained its independence. Katanga then declared itself an independent nation, with Elisabethville as its capital. In 1963, after three years of civil war, Katanga agreed to return to the republic. Elisabethville was renamed Lubumbashi in 1966. Population (1991) 739,082.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Lubumbashi Information info
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