The province was badly affected during theAngolan Civil War (1975–2002). A large number of civilians were killed in the clashes betweenNational Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) andAngolan Armed Forces (FAA). Coffee plantations and fields were destroyed. Frequent attacks forced people to leave their municipalities. UNITA had opened its central front in the province.[3][4] Around 116,000 displaced people were living in camps. The majority of them were from the rural areas and the densely populated plateau regions.[5] On 17 December 2000, the UNITA combatants killed 31 FAA soldiers and looted vehicles, arms and about 20,000 litres of diesel inQuibala.[6] In April 2001 they attacked FAA outposts and captured firearms.[7]
Landmines laid during the civil war are still present and contracts to clear them were given to different organisations.[8] They are still present in several areas.[9] The province has a high density of landmines.[10] In 2008 the province's Maria Restino Manuel was declared the Internet winner of Miss Landmine 2008. She had secured 29% of the online votes.[11]
Kibalas, N'goias, Musseles, Mussumbas and Bailundos are the major ethnic groups in the province. The Kimbundu language is most commonly used.[12] Umbundu is also spoken.[13]Bengo Province andCuanza Norte Province are located to its north.[14] Malanje and Bie Provinces are located to its east, while Huambo and Benguela provinces border it in south. The province's coastline on the Atlantic Ocean is 180 kilometres (110 mi) in length. Cuanza Sul city lies on the southern bank of theCuanza River.[14]
The province's governor is Eusébio de Brito Teixeira. António da Gama Lopes Teixeira, Mateus Alves Morais de Brito and Maria de Lourdes Sousa Abambres Veiga are deputy governors for Technical and infrastructure Services, Economic Sector Area and Political and Social Sector Area respectively.[15]
Coffee, cotton,[16] fruits, rice and tobacco are the major agricultural products.[14] The province has large deposits of alluvial and eluvialdiamonds andGypsum.[17][18] Sumbe and Porto Amboim are major fish processing centres.[19]
The Independent University of Angola is located in the province's capital and has emerged as the most important educational centre in the province. Established in August 2003 it offers courses in agronomy, veterinary science and forestry.[20]
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