Katanga plateau

The Katanga, or Shaba, plateau is a farming and ranching region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Located in the southeastern Katanga Province, it is bordered by the Kundelungu and Mitumba mountain ranges from the north, Muchinga mountain range from the east, and connected to the Lunda Plateau in the south and west. it is 1220 m (4,000 ft) above sea level and is rich in copper and uranium deposits.[1] The altitude makes it cooler than the surrounding area, with a mean annual temperature of 19-20 °C.[2] The existence of seasonal rainfall makes Katanga Plateau a fertile arable area as well as an industrial region in DR Congo.

It is the source of the Lufira River, which becomes the Lualaba River. Lake Tshangalele is an artificial lake created by a dam on the Lufira and is an important ecological site on the plateau.

References
  1. "Congo, Democratic Republic of." Encyclopedia of Africa, Volume 1. Oxford University Press, 2010 pg.313
  2. R. H. Hughes, J. S. Hughes, G. M. Bernacsek. A Directory of African Wetlands. IUCN, 1992 pg. 521

11.55°S 26.75°E / -11.55; 26.75

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