Benguela Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Benguela

Municipality

Flag

Benguela

Location in Angola

Country

Angola

Admin. division

Benguela Province

Founded

1617

Area

• Total

2,332 km² (900 sq mi)

Elevation

39 m (128 ft)

Population

(2014 Census)

• Total

561,775

• Estimate

(2022)

692,202

• Density

240.90/km² (623.92/sq mi)

Climate

BWh

Benguela is a large city in western Angola. It is the capital of Benguela Province. Benguela is one of the most populated cities in Angola. In 2014, about 555,124 people lived in the city itself, and 561,775 in the wider municipality area.

Discovering Benguela's Past
Getting Around Benguela
- Transportation Links
Benguela's Economy
- Trade and Industry
- Port of Lobito
Learning in Benguela
- Higher Education
Culture and Faith
- Places of Worship
Famous People from Benguela
Images for kids
See also

Discovering Benguela's Past

How Benguela Was Founded

Benguela was started in 1617 by the Portuguese. Its original name was São Felipe de Benguela. Manuel Cerveira Pereira, who was the governor of Angola at the time, played a key role in its founding.

For a long time, Benguela was an important trading hub. Ships would anchor about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) offshore. Goods were then moved to smaller boats that used jetties in the town.

Growth and Development

Over the years, Benguela grew and became more prosperous. In the early 1900s, the Benguela Railway was built. This railway connected Benguela and the nearby deep-water port of Lobito to the inner parts of the country. It was very successful, especially when it linked up with the Copperbelt region in DR Congo and Zambia.

From the early 1900s until 1974, Benguela's economy boomed. Industries like sisal farming and fishing grew. The city also saw growth in finance, construction, and other services.

Benguela After Independence

In 1975, Angola became independent from Portugal. After independence, the country faced a long period of conflict called the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002). This war greatly affected Benguela. The important Benguela railway line stopped working, except for a short 30-kilometer (19-mile) section between Benguela and Lobito.

During the civil war, many people moved to Benguela from the countryside seeking safety. This caused the city's population to grow a lot. By 1983, about 155,000 people lived there.

Benguela in the 21st Century

In the mid-2000s, as peace returned to Angola, work began to fix the railway line. The railway between Benguela and Huambo was restored. While the older parts of the city have good quality homes, many people who moved to Benguela during the war still live in less developed areas.

Getting Around Benguela

Transportation Links

Benguela has its own airport, called Benguela Airport. The city is also connected by the Benguela Railway, which helps people and goods travel to and from the city.

Benguela's Economy

Trade and Industry

Benguela has always been a key trading center. It connects the western and eastern parts of Angola. Products like coffee, corn, sisal, sugarcane, and tobacco are grown in the inner regions of Angola and are often traded in Benguela.

Manganese, a type of metal, from the interior is also traded here. Benguela has industries that process fish and mill sugarcane. The city also makes pottery, soap, and tools.

Port of Lobito

Most of Benguela's international trade goes through the large port of Lobito. Lobito is about 29 kilometers (18 miles) north of Benguela. It was once the busiest port in Angola. The Angolan Civil War caused a lot of damage to the port, but it has since recovered and supports trade for the Benguela region.