Exploring Benguela, Angola: A Coastal Gem Unveiled

Benguela is a city in western Angola, and the capital of the province of Benguela. It is one of the country's most populous cities, with a population of 555,124 in 2014. The city was founded in 1617 as São Felipe de Benguela by the Portuguese, who used it as a base for expansion in Africa. Benguela is known for its beaches, such as Baia Azul and Baía Farta, and its rich cultural spots. It is also a commercial hub, exporting agricultural products like coffee, corn, tobacco, sugarcane, and sisal, and local industries include sugar milling, fishing, and the manufacture of soap, tools, and pottery.

Benguela is a city in western Angola

Benguela's history is deeply intertwined with the slave trade and colonial expansion. The Portuguese established the city as a trading post, and the bay, aptly named Cattle Bay due to the abundance of cattle, became a site of conflict and conquest. The local Ndombe population, characterised by their cattle-raising and mobility, was displaced and resettled in nearby regions as a result of Portuguese raids and the slave trade.

The city of Benguela is situated on the Atlantic coast and borders several provinces, including Cuanza Sul, Namibe, Huila, and Huambo. It is known for its beautiful beaches, such as Baía Azul and Baía Farta, which attract tourists seeking underwater dives and clear waters. The city also boasts cultural and historical landmarks, including the Church of Nossa Sra do Pópulo, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, and the Government Palace, showcasing colonial architecture.

Benguela has played a crucial role in Angola's economic development, particularly through its agricultural exports and local industries. The city serves as a commercial link between western and eastern Angola, exporting products such as coffee, corn, tobacco, sugarcane, and sisal. Local industries include sugar milling, fish processing, and the manufacture of soap, tools, and pottery. The Benguela Railway, built in the early 20th century, further contributed to the city's economic significance by connecting it to the interior and facilitating trade with neighbouring countries.

Benguela is also a cultural hub, offering a range of entertainment, adventure, and tourist exploration options. Visitors can explore historic sites, such as the colonial-era churches and the fortress, as well as enjoy the region's natural beauty and beaches. The city's airport and improved road access make it a convenient destination for domestic and international travellers alike.

It is the capital of the province of Benguela

Benguela is a city in western Angola and is the capital of the province of Benguela. It is one of Angola's most populous cities, with 555,124 people in the city and 561,775 in the municipality, according to the 2014 census. The city was founded in 1617 as São Felipe de Benguela by the Portuguese under Manuel Cerveira Pereira, the 8th Governor of Angola from 1604 to 1607. Benguela was a centre for Portuguese trade and expansion in Africa, particularly in the slave trade to Brazil and Cuba. The city is located around the São Filipe fortress, with the nearby Baía Farta, where salt was manufactured and sulphur was extracted. The beach of Baía Azul is also close to the city.

Benguela is the political and economic coordinating centre for the activities of the hinterland to the east. It is connected by rail to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe through the Benguela Railway. The city exports agricultural products, including coffee, corn, tobacco, sugarcane, and sisal, which are grown in the agricultural hinterland. Deposits of manganese are also located to the south of the city. Local industries include sugar milling, fish processing, and the manufacture of soap, tools, and pottery.

The city has an airport, Benguela Airport, and is home to the Universidade Katyavala Bwila and Ruvandro Ferreira, founded in 2009. The predominant ethnic groups in Benguela are the Ovimbundu and Ngangela, and the majority language is Umbundu.

Benguela has a number of places of worship, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Benguela, the Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola, and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

The city was founded in 1617 by Portuguese explorers

Benguela, a city in western Angola, was founded in 1617 by Portuguese explorers. Known then as São Felipe de Benguela, it was established as a base for Portuguese expansion in Africa under Manuel Cerveira Pereira, the eighth Governor of Angola. Benguela was one of several colonies Portugal established in the region during this period, alongside Luanda and Moçâmedes (now Namibe).

The Portuguese crown created the Kingdom of Benguela in 1615, aiming to develop a land route to Mozambique. A trading post was founded, but it failed to meet Portuguese expectations for mineral resources and soil quality. As a result, the colony was primarily used for the slave trade with Brazil and Cuba. Ships would anchor about 1.6 kilometres off the shore, transferring their cargo to smaller boats that used five or six jetties in the town.

Benguela was also one of the centres of Portuguese trade with the African interior. The city's role as a commercial link between western and eastern Angola continues to this day, with agricultural products such as coffee, corn, tobacco, sugarcane, and sisal grown in the hinterland and traded in Benguela. The city also trades in manganese from the interior and produces pottery, soap, and tools.

The Benguela Railway, built in the early 20th century, connected the city and the port of Lobito to the interior. This railway contributed to the development of the region, particularly the processing of sisal fibre, and facilitated trade with the Copperbelt region of Katanga, DR Congo, and Zambia.

Benguela is one of Angola's most populous cities

Benguela is a city in western Angola, and the capital of the province of the same name. It is one of Angola's most populous cities, with a population of 555,124 in the city and 561,775 in the municipality, according to the 2014 census.

Benguela was founded in 1617 as São Felipe de Benguela by the Portuguese under Manuel Cerveira Pereira, the 8th Governor of Angola. It served as one of the bases for Portuguese expansion in Africa and was a centre of trade, particularly in slaves to Brazil and Cuba. The city prospered and grew due to its role as a trade hub and its connection to the Benguela Railway, which linked it to the interior and eventually to the Copperbelt of Katanga, DR Congo, and Zambia.

Benguela's economy has traditionally been driven by its local industries, including sugar milling, fish processing, and the manufacture of soap, tools, and pottery. The city is also an important commercial link between western and eastern Angola, with agricultural products such as coffee, corn, tobacco, sugarcane, and sisal grown in the interior regions and widely traded in Benguela. Additionally, manganese from the interior is traded in the city.

Benguela's population grew significantly during the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) as refugees from the countryside sought safety in the city. As of 2011, many of these refugees continue to live in slum areas, while the colonial part of the city consists of relatively good-quality houses.

It is a hub for agriculture, fishing and livestock

Benguela is a city in western Angola, capital of Benguela Province. It is one of the country's most active cultural spots and is also known as the city of red acacias. The province has a total area of 39,826 square kilometres and a population of over 2 million people. The official language is Portuguese, and the traditional language is Umbundu. The majority population is Ovimbundu and Nganguela.

Agriculture, fishing, and livestock are the main activities of the coastal population of Benguela. The province borders the provinces of Kwanza Sul, Huambo, Huíla, and Namibe. The city of Benguela is one of Angola's most populous cities, with a population of 555,124 in the city and 561,775 in the municipality, as of the 2014 census.

Fishing in Angola is mainly performed by foreign fleets, and the country has fishing agreements with several countries, including Spain, Japan, and Italy. Before independence from Portugal in 1975, the fishing industry in Angola was major and growing, with about 700 fishing boats and an annual catch of more than 300,000 tons. However, after independence and during the civil war, the industry fell into disarray due to the departure of local white ethnic Portuguese fishermen and entrepreneurs.

In the mid-1980s, the government began rehabilitating the fishing industry, especially in the Namibe and Benguela provinces, with the help of foreign assistance. During this time, the government also required some foreign fishing fleets to land a portion of their catch at Angolan ports to increase the local supply of fish.

In addition to fishing, agriculture is also important in Benguela. Coffee, corn, sisal, sugarcane, and tobacco are grown in the interior regions of Angola and widely traded in the city.

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