Exploring Angola's New Lisbon: A Historical Journey

New Lisbon, Angola, was the former name of Huambo, Angola, until 1975. The city of Huambo is located in west-central Angola and is the third most populous city in the country. It was founded in 1912 by Portuguese settlers and workers on the Benguela Railway, which was then under construction. The city was first called Huambo but was renamed Nova Lisboa, or New Lisbon in English, in 1928.

New Lisbon, Angola, is now known as Huambo

Huambo was originally named Wambu, one of the 14 old Ovimbundu kingdoms of the central Angolan plateau. The Ovimbundu were an ethnic group that arrived from Eastern Africa and founded the central kingdom of Bailundu in the 15th century. Wambu was a smaller kingdom that enjoyed a considerable degree of independence under the king of Bailundu.

In 1928, the city of Huambo was renamed Nova Lisboa or New Lisbon, after Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. This indicated the colonial administration's intention to make the city the capital of the colony.

Nova Lisboa or New Lisbon was the third-most populous city in Angola, after the capital city of Luanda and Lubango, with a population of 595,304 in the city and 713,134 in the municipality of Huambo as of the 2014 census. The city is located in west-central Angola, about 220 km east of Benguela and 600 km southeast of Luanda. It lies south of the Cuanza River on the Bié Plateau at an elevation of 5,581 feet (1,701 metres) and has a temperate, subtropical highland climate.

Following Angola's independence from Portugal in 1975, the city's original name, Huambo, was restored. The name Huambo comes from Wambu, one of the old Ovimbundu kingdoms of the central Angolan plateau. The city became the headquarters of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), a guerrilla movement.

The city of Huambo suffered extensive damage during the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002), as it was the site of heavy fighting, including the 55-Day War and a fierce battle and siege in 1993. The conflict between the MPLA and UNITA caused widespread destruction and civilian casualties, with many residents fleeing the city.

Huambo is the third-most populous city in Angola

Huambo, formerly known as Nova Lisboa or New Lisbon in English, is the third-most populous city in Angola. It is the capital of the province of Huambo and is located about 220 km east of Benguela and 600 km southeast of the capital city of Luanda. The city has a population of 595,304, while the municipality of Huambo has a population of 713,134, according to the 2014 census.

Huambo is situated in the Angolan central highlands, near the headwaters of the Cunene River. The city has an elevation of 1,701 to 1,721 metres (5,581 to 5,646 feet) and is located on a high plateau. It has a subtropical highland climate, with wet summers and dry winters. Despite its tropical location, Huambo's temperatures are mild throughout the year due to its high altitude.

The city was founded in 1912 by Portuguese settlers and workers on the Benguela Railway, which was then under construction. Huambo was renamed Nova Lisboa in 1928, indicating the colonial administration's intention to make it the capital of the colony. After Angola gained independence in 1975, the city's original name was restored.

Huambo is a major hub on the Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB), also known as the Benguela Railway. This railway line runs from the port of Lobito in Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's southernmost province, Katanga. Due to its strategic location, Huambo was a vital transportation centre before the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002). The city suffered extensive damage during the conflict and was the site of intense battles, including the 55 Day War.

Huambo is home to several educational institutions, including two public higher education institutions: the José Eduardo dos Santos University and the Higher Institute of Education Sciences of Huambo. It also houses the headquarters of the Veterinary Research Institute and the Agricultural Research Institute.

The city is located on the Bié Plateau

New Lisbon, Angola, was formerly known as Huambo, which is the third-most populous city in the country. The city is located on the Bié Plateau, also known as the Central Plateau of Angola, which occupies most of central Angola. The elevation of the plateau ranges from 1,520 metres (4,990 feet) to 1,824.8956 metres (5,987.190 feet).

The Bié Plateau is characterised by its high altitude and cool climate. The region experiences ample rainfall, which allows for the cultivation of various crops, including corn, sisal, peanuts, sugarcane, rice, and coffee. The plateau is the source of several major rivers, such as the Cunene River, the Kwanza River, and the Kwango River.

Huambo is situated on the plateau at an elevation of approximately 1,700 metres (5,581 feet). The city was founded in 1912 by Portuguese settlers and workers who were constructing the Benguela Railway. The railway passes through Huambo, connecting it to the Atlantic coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Prior to the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002), Huambo was a vital transportation hub, boasting one of the largest rail repair shops in Africa. However, the war disrupted the railway's operations, and the city suffered extensive damage during the conflict.

Huambo was founded in 1912 by Portuguese settlers

Huambo, formerly known as New Lisbon (or Nova Lisboa in Portuguese) , is a city in west-central Angola. It was founded in 1912 by Portuguese settlers and workers on the Benguela Railway, which was then under construction. The city was officially founded on 8 August 1912 by the Governor-General of Angola, Norton de Matos.

The construction of the Benguela Railway, which started in the coastal town of Lobito in 1902, was devised by British entrepreneur Sir Robert Williams as the easiest and cheapest way to link the copper mines of Katanga in the Belgian Congo with a point on the coast for mineral exports. The railway's construction was initially challenging due to the rugged terrain, the prevalence of malaria, and resistance from native kingdoms.

Huambo was chosen as a strategic location for the railway due to its benign climate and abundant water resources. The construction of the railway progressed faster once Huambo was established, and the link with the Belgian Congo border was completed in 1929. By then, Huambo had become the site of the most important railway workshop in Africa.

By the 1920s, Huambo had become one of the main economic centres of Portuguese Angola. It had important food processing plants, served as the main exporting point for the province's agricultural wealth, and was known for its numerous educational facilities. In recognition of its economic and strategic importance, Huambo was renamed Nova Lisboa (New Lisbon) in 1928, indicating the colonial administration's intention to make it the capital of the colony.

Following Angola's independence in 1975, the city's original name, Huambo, was restored. The city became the headquarters of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), a guerrilla movement. Huambo suffered extensive damage during the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) and was the site of much fighting, including a fierce battle and siege in 1993. After the war, sections of the Benguela Railway were repaired, aiding in the reconstruction efforts in Huambo and the surrounding area.

The city was renamed Nova Lisboa in 1928

The city of Huambo, Angola, was renamed Nova Lisboa (English: New Lisbon) in 1928. The name change occurred during the colonial regime and positioned the city as the main stronghold of colonial expansion on Angola's central plateau.

Nova Lisboa was named after Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The renaming indicated the colonial administration's intention to make the city the capital of the colony. This was an ambitious dream to turn Angola into a Portuguese overseas "province" rather than just a colony.

The city of Huambo was founded in 1912 by Portuguese settlers and workers on the Benguela Railway, which was then under construction. The construction of the railway was initially challenging due to the rugged terrain, the prevalence of malaria, and resistance from the native population. However, by the 1920s, Huambo had become one of the main economic engines of Portuguese Angola. It had important food processing plants and served as the main exporting point for the province's agricultural wealth.

The solidity and grandeur of the houses and buildings in Nova Lisboa demonstrated a clear intention to consolidate a colonial presence. The city's strategic location and economic importance made it one of the most important urban centres in the Portuguese Overseas Province of Angola.

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