Gabela | |
|---|---|
  Gabela | |
| Coordinates:10°51′S14°22′E / 10.850°S 14.367°E /-10.850; 14.367 | |
| Country | Angola |
| Province | Cuanza Sul |
| Municipality | Amboim |
| Area | |
• Total | 459 km2 (177 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 942 m (3,091 ft) |
| Population (2014)[2] | |
• Total | 184,723 |
| • Density | 402/km2 (1,040/sq mi) |
Gabela is a town, with a population of 116,903 (2014),[3] and acommune, named Gabela Sede, in the municipality ofAmboim, province ofCuanza Sul,Angola and the seat of that municipality. The area of the commune comprises 459 km2 with a population of 184,723. It was founded asN'Guebela on September 28, 1907.[4][5]
Around the town, some areas of theAngolan Scarp savanna and woodlands with its unique plants and animals are still to be found. TheGabela akalat (Sheppardia gabela), a species of bird, was first recorded here by scientists and subsequently named after the town, as were theGabela helmet-shrike (Prionops gabela) andGabela bush-shrike (Laniarius amboimensis); theseendangered species are only found in the uplands near Gabela.
Gabela used to have a mine with a610 mm (2 ft) narrow gauge railway toPorto Amboim.
