Benguela

Benguela
—  Municipality and town  —
Benguela is located in Angola
Benguela
Location in Angola
Coordinates:
Country  Angola
Admin. division Benguela Province
Area
 - Total 810.8 sq mi (2,100 km2)
Elevation 128 ft (39 m)
Population
 - Total 513,000
 - Density 580.2/sq mi (224/km2)

Benguela (São Felipe de Benguela, formerly spelled Benguella) is a city in western Angola, south of Luanda, and capital of Benguela Province. It lies on a bay of the same name, in 12° 33’ S., 13° 25’ E. Benguela is Angola's second most famous city and self-appointed cultural capital. It is a charming muddle of low-rise apartment blocks and sputtering motorcycles that weave deftly between Benguela's famous crimson acacia trees.

Contents

History

Portuguese rule

Benguela, a Portuguese fort from 1587, was founded in 1617 by the Portuguese under Manuel Cerveira Pereira, 8th Governor of Angola (1604-1607). It was long the centre of an important trade, especially in slaves to Brazil and Cuba. Ships anchor about a mile off the shore, in 4 to 6 fathoms (7 to 11 m) and transfer loads to smaller boats which use five or six jetties in the town. However the nearby deep-water sheltered harbour of Lobito is a much larger port.

First Coat of Arms of the city of Benguela, about late XVII century

Besides the churches of S. Felipe and S. Antonio, the hospital, and the fortress, there were, as of 1911, only a few stone-built houses. A short way beyond Benguela is Baía Farta, where salt was manufactured and sulphur was extracted. Close to Baia Farta was the most beautiful beach of Baia Azul. The city prospered and grew in the following decades. The Benguela Railway was built in the early 20th century by Portugal to connect the city and Lobito to the interior, and it achieved great success when linked to the Copperbelt of Katanga, DR Congo and Zambia. Starting in the early 20th century, Benguela attracted, developed, and retained quality businesses and professionals into its thriving and growing economy. Sisal and fishing industries expanded and the financial, construction and services market boomed until 1974.[1]

After independence from Portugal

In 1975, after the April 1974 Carnation Revolution in Lisbon, Portugal, the Portuguese Overseas Province of Angola become independent. Due to the civil war in Angola (1975-2002), which lasted more than 20 years after the independence from Portugal, the important Benguela railway line was closed. Only the short distance of 30 km between Benguela and Lobito remained operational. In the mid-2000s, with a more peaceful environment, rehabilitation of the railway between Benguela and Huambo commenced.

In 1983 Benguela had a population of 155,000. During the civil war the city of Benguela increased its population due to refugees from the countryside. While the colonial part of the city consists of relatively good quality houses, most of the refugees are living today in slum areas.

Transportation

Coastline

Other

Benguela is also referenced in a game called Battlecity, below 'Andorra-la-vella' and above 'Huambo'.

References

  1. ↑ BenguelaAnosOuro.wmv, a film of Benguela, Overseas Province of Angola before 1975.