Benguela (Portuguese pronunciation:[bẽˈɡɛlɐ];Umbundu: Luombaka) is a city in westernAngola, capital ofBenguela Province.[3] Benguela is one of Angola's most populous cities with a population of 555,124 in the city and 561,775 in the municipality, at the 2014 census.[1]
Benguela was founded in 1617 asSão Felipe de Benguela by thePortuguese under Manuel Cerveira Pereira, 8thGovernor ofAngola (1604–1607).[4][3] It was long the centre of an important trade, especially inslaves toBrazil andCuba. Ships anchored about 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) off the shore, in depths of 7 to 11 metres (23 to 36 ft) andtransferred loads to smaller boats which used five or sixjetties in the town. However, the nearby deep-water sheltered harbour ofLobito was a much larger port.
Besides the churches of S. Felipe and S. António, the hospital, and the fortress, as of 1911 there were only a few stone-built houses.[5] A short way beyond Benguela isBaía Farta, where salt was manufactured andsulphur was extracted. Close toBaia Farta was the beach ofBaia Azul. The city prospered and grew in the following decades.
Starting in the early 20th century, Benguela attracted, developed, and retained quality businesses and professionals into its growing economy.Sisal andfishing industries expanded and the financial, construction and services market boomed until 1974.[7]
Due to theAngolan Civil War (1975–2002), which lasted more than 20 years after independence from Portugal, the importantBenguela railway line closed, with only the short distance of 30 kilometres (19 mi) between Benguela andLobito remaining operational. 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.
Benguela was one of the centres of Portuguese trade to the African interior. The city remains an important commercial link between western and eastern Angola.Coffee,corn,sisal,sugarcane, andtobacco are grown in the interior regions of Angola and widely traded in Benguela.
Manganese from the interior is also traded in Benguela. Industries local to the city include fish processing and the milling of sugarcane. The city also produces pottery, soap, and tools.[3]
Foreign trade is handled through the deep-water port ofLobito, which is located 29 kilometres (18 mi) north of Benguela. Lobito, once the busiest port in Angola, was severely disrupted during the Angolan Civil War. The port has since revived and supports trade in the Benguela region.[3]
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