Lubumbashi, Congo (Kinshasa)

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Lubumbashi, Congo (Kinshasa)

Region: Lubumbashi is located in the province of Haut-Katanga

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Geographic Coordinates: -11.664700, 27.479400

Population: 1786397

Language: French

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Lubumbashi, Also known as the Copper Capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Is a bustling city located in the southeastern part of the country. It is situated near the border with Zambia and Zimbabwe, Making it a hub for cross-border trade and commerce. The city has a population of over 2 million people, Making it one of the largest cities in DRC. The history of Lubumbashi dates back to colonial times when it was known as Elisabethville.

The city was founded by Belgian colonizers who were interested in exploiting its rich mineral resources such as copper, Cobalt, And uranium. Today, Mining remains one of the main economic activities in Lubumbashi with several multinational mining companies operating in the region. Aside from its mining industry, Lubumbashi has a vibrant cultural scene with several museums and galleries showcasing Congolese art and history. One notable museum is the Lubumbashi National Museum which houses artifacts from various ethnic groups that inhabit DRC’s Katanga province where Lubumbashi is located.

The city also boasts several beautiful parks such as Kapolowe Park which features an artificial lake where visitors can go boating or fishing. Another popular attraction is La Plage de la Luano which is an urban beach located on Lake Tshangalele just outside Lubumbashi’s city center. Lubumbashi has a diverse population made up mostly of Bantu-speaking ethnic groups such as Luba-Kasai, Lunda-Katanga and Songye among others. French is widely spoken due to Belgium’s colonial influence but Swahili and other local languages are also spoken by many residents.

Despite its rich natural resources and cultural heritage, Lubumbashi faces numerous challenges including poverty, Unemployment, Inadequate infrastructure such as roads and healthcare facilities among others. However efforts are being made by both local authorities and international organizations to address these issues through various development projects. Lubumbashi is a city with a rich history, Diverse culture and abundant natural resources. It is a hub for cross-border trade and commerce and has several attractions that make it an interesting destination for tourists.

However like many cities in DRC, It faces numerous challenges that need to be addressed to improve the quality of life for its residents.

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1. Lubumbashi Zoo
2. St. Pierre Cathedral
3. National Museum of Lubumbashi
4. Katanga Mining Museum
5. The Grande Place de la Poste
6. La Plage Beach
7. The Palace of Justice
8. The Botanical Garden of Lubumbashi
9. Kamalondo Catholic University (UCGK)
10. Copperbelt University (CBU)

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1. Gécamines: This state-owned mining company is one of the world’s largest producers of copper and cobalt.
2. Tenke Fungurume Mining: A joint venture between China Molybdenum Co., Ltd. and Freeport-McMoRan Inc., this company operates a large copper-cobalt mine in Lubumbashi.
3. Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL): This state-owned utility provides electricity to Lubumbashi as well as other parts of the country.
4. Entreprise Générale Malta Forrest (EGMF): A construction firm that has undertaken several infrastructure projects in Lubumbashi.
5. Airlink Congo: A regional airline that offers flights from Lubumbashi to other cities within Congo (Kinshasa) as well as neighboring countries.
6. Total E&P Congo: An oil exploration company with operations across various parts of Congo (Kinshasa), including Lubumbashi.
7. Shoprite: The South African supermarket chain has established multiple stores offering groceries, household goods, clothing, electronics etc
8. Coca Cola Beverages Africa – Franchisee for Coca Cola products distribution across DRC
9. MTN – Telecommunication operator with over 10 million subscribers across DRC

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1. The city was founded in 1910 by Belgian colonizers as a mining town.
2. During the colonial period, Lubumbashi was known as Elisabethville and served as the capital of Katanga Province.
3. In 1960, the province declared independence from Congo (Kinshasa) and established its own government under Moise Tshombe.
4. This led to a conflict between Katanga and Congo (Kinshasa), which lasted for several years until Katanga was reintegrated into Congo (Kinshasa).
5. Notable people associated with Lubumbashi include Patrice Lumumba, who served as Prime Minister of Congo (Kinshasa) before being overthrown in a coup d’état in 1960.
6. Other notable figures include Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who served as President of Congo (Kinshasa) from 1997 until his assassination in 2001; and Etienne Tshisekedi, an opposition leader who played a key role in Congolese politics for decades until his death in 2017.
7. The city is also home to several universities and research institutions, including the University of Lubumbashi and the National Institute for Biomedical Research.
8. In recent years, Lubumbashi has been affected by political instability and violence related to conflicts between various armed groups operating in the region.

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1. Lubumbashi National Museum: This museum showcases the history and culture of Congo, including traditional artifacts, art pieces, and historical documents.
2. Lubumbashi Zoo: This is a great place to visit with kids as it has a variety of animals from different parts of Africa.
3. The Copperbelt Museum: This museum documents the history of copper mining in the region and is a must-visit for anyone interested in industrial heritage.
4. The Palace of Justice: A beautiful building that houses the courts of law in Lubumbashi.
5. Saint-Pierre Cathedral: A stunning cathedral with beautiful architecture that has been standing since 1911.
6. La Gare de la Revolution Monument: This monument commemorates Congolese independence from Belgian colonial rule and is an important landmark in the city.
7. Kamalondo Botanical Garden: A peaceful place to relax and enjoy nature, this botanical garden has many species of plants native to Congo.
8. Centre Culturel Français de Lubumbashi (French Cultural Center): Offers cultural events such as film screenings, exhibitions, concerts promoting French culture in Congo-Kinshasa
9. Musée Africain de la Musique (African Music Museum): Features musical instruments from all over Africa along with videos explaining how they are played
10. La Fontaine des Amoureux (The Lovers’ Fountain): A romantic spot for couples to take pictures or just sit by the fountain’s waterfalls

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1. TP Mazembe is a highly successful football club that was founded in 1939 and is based in Lubumbashi. The team has won numerous domestic and international titles, including five CAF Champions League titles.
2. CS Don Bosco is another prominent football club based in Lubumbashi that was founded in 1953. The team has won several domestic titles and participated in the CAF Confederation Cup.
3. AS Vita Club Manda is a relatively new football club that was founded in 2005 but has quickly risen to prominence by winning several domestic titles.
4. BC Mazembe is the basketball team of TP Mazembe, which was founded in 1997 and has won several national championships.
5. AS Lupopo, another well-known football club from Lubumbashi, was founded in 1949 and has won several domestic titles over the years.
6. DCMP Kinshasa-Lubumbashi, one of the oldest clubs from Congo-Kinshasa, was founded on January 18th ,1936 and is also one of the most successful teams with a total of nine league championships to their name along with two Coupe du Congo trophies.
7. FC Saint Eloi Lupopo is another major force on Congolese Football scene based out of Lubumbashi . They have been runners up twice at African Cup Winners’ Cup as well as having a couple of league triumphs to their name.
8. AS New Soger may be one of the lesser-known teams from Lubumbashi but they were still crowned champions once while also lifting Coupe du Congo trophy once after being founded back on August 16th ,1960.

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1. Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day) is a national holiday celebrated on June 30th to mark Congo’s independence from Belgium in 1960. The day is marked with parades, music, and fireworks.
2. Festival International de la Culture Katangaise (International Festival of Katangan Culture) is an annual festival that celebrates the culture and traditions of the Katanga region. It features music, dance performances, art exhibitions, and traditional cuisine.
3. Fête de la Musique (Music Day) takes place on June 21st every year to celebrate music and musicians with free concerts throughout Lubumbashi.
4. Festival des Arts de Lubumbashi (Lubumbashi Arts Festival) is a biennial festival that showcases local artists in various disciplines such as painting, sculpture, photography, theater performances, and poetry readings.
5. Semaine du Film Congolais (Congolese Film Week) is a week-long event featuring screenings of Congolese films followed by discussions with filmmakers and actors.
6. Foire Internationale de Lubumbashi (Lubumbashi International Fair) takes place annually in September or October to bring together businesses from across Congo to showcase their products and services.
7. Carnaval de Lubumbashi occurs annually in December or January before Lent begins; it’s a colorful celebration featuring parades with floats depicting local themes along with music & dance performances by locals dressed up in costumes.

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Congolese Cuisine

1. Moambe stew – a traditional Congolese dish made with palm oil, meat, and vegetables.
2. Fufu – a starchy side dish made from cassava or yams.
3. Kwanga – a fermented cassava cake that is often eaten as a snack.
4. Chikwangue – another type of fermented cassava cake that is often served with meat or fish.
5. Matembele – a spinach-like vegetable that is often used in soups and stews.

Popular Restaurants in Lubumbashi

1. Le Rêveil des Tropiques – an upscale restaurant known for its French-inspired cuisine and extensive wine list.
2. La Bonne Bouffe – a casual eatery that serves classic Congolese dishes like moambe stew and fufu.
3. Le Bistrot du Boulevard – another French-inspired restaurant that offers both indoor and outdoor seating options.
4. Chez Ntemba – A lively bar-restaurant serving African-style grilled meats & seafood plus cocktails & live music.
5. Kin Malebo – A fine-dining restaurant serving African fusion dishes such as grilled crocodile tail & ostrich carpaccio.

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1. Lubumbashi Zoo is a popular attraction for families, featuring a variety of animals like lions, zebras, and monkeys.
2. Parc des Sources offers a beautiful natural setting with walking trails and picnic areas.
3. Parc de la Kenyatta is a large public park that has sports fields, playgrounds, and walking paths.
4. Golf Club de Lubumbashi is an 18-hole golf course located in the heart of the city.
5. The French Cultural Center (Centre Culturel Français) hosts various cultural activities such as art exhibitions, film screenings, and concerts.
6. Stade Kibassa Maliba is the largest stadium in the city that hosts sporting events like football matches and athletics competitions.
7. The National Museum of Lubumbashi (Musée National de Lubumbashi) exhibits artifacts from Congolese history including traditional art, weapons, and musical instruments.
8. Lake Tshangalele is located just outside the city limits and offers fishing opportunities as well as swimming and boating activities in a serene environment.
9. Belgian Congo Park (Parc du Congo Belge) is a historic park that was once part of Belgian colonial rule which now serves as an outdoor space for recreational activities like jogging or picnicking with family or friends.

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