Kasaï-Oriental (former province)
Kasaï-Oriental Province
Province du Kasaï-oriental | |
|---|---|
Former province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Established | 1966 |
| Dissolved | 2015 |
| Capital | Mbuji-Mayi |
| Largest city | Mbuji-Mayi |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Alphonse Ngoyi Kasanji |
| Area | |
• Total | 173,110 km2 (66,840 sq mi) |
| Population (2010 est.) | |
• Total | 6,556,917 |
| • Density | 38/km2 (98/sq mi) |
| Official language | French |
| National language | Tshiluba |
| Website | kasaiest.cd |
Kasaï-Oriental (French for "East Kasai") was one of the eleven provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 1966 and 2015, when it was split into the new, smaller Kasai-Oriental province, the Lomami and the Sankuru provinces.
It borders the provinces of Kasaï-Occidental to the west, Équateur to the northwest, Orientale to the northeast, Maniema to the east, and Katanga to the south. Kasaï-Oriental is one of the richest diamond producing regions in the world. The provincial capital is Mbuji-Mayi.