Malanje facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malanje
Municipality
Malanje Location in Angola
Country	Angola
Province	Malanje Province
Area
• Total	2,215 km2 (855 sq mi)
Elevation	1,155 m (3,789 ft)
Population  (mid 2020)
• Total	604,215
• Density	272.78/km2 (706.51/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)
Climate	Aw

Malanje is an important city in Angola, a country in Africa. It is the capital city of Malanje Province. In 2014, about 455,000 people lived in the city. The whole area, called a municipality, had about 506,847 people.

Malanje is expected to grow quickly in the next few years. It is located about 380 kilometers (236 miles) east of Luanda, which is Angola's capital city.

Near Malanje, you can find amazing natural sights. These include the beautiful Calandula waterfalls and the unique rock formations of Pungo Andongo. There is also the large Capanda Dam. The weather in Malanje is usually warm and humid. Temperatures are often between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius (68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit). The rainy season lasts from October to April.

History of Malanje

Portuguese rule and early growth

Portuguese settlers first established Malanje in the 1800s. The city grew a lot because of a railway built from Luanda starting in 1885. This railway helped move goods from the fertile highlands around Malanje.

The area was very important for growing cotton. Cotton production helped the city develop quickly. By the mid-1800s, Malanje became a major trading center. The city is located high up, about 1,134 meters (3,720 feet) above sea level. This high altitude makes the climate good for farming different crops.

Malanje became a hub for farming, making goods, trading, and services. Besides cotton, farmers also grew coffee, fruit, and corn. In 1970, the Portuguese government created the Cangandala National Park near Malanje. This park was made to protect nature and animals.

After Angola became independent

Angola gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. After this, a long conflict called the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002) began. This war caused a lot of damage. It made it very hard to grow crops like cotton, coffee, and corn.

Malanje was partly destroyed during the civil war. However, after the war ended in 2002, people worked hard to rebuild the city. Today, Malanje is recovering and growing again.

Climate in Malanje

Malanje has a tropical savanna climate. This means it has a wet season and a dry season. The temperatures are generally warm all year round. The table below shows more details about the weather in Malanje.

Landmarks and interesting places

There are several interesting places to visit near Malanje.

• Cangandala National Park: This park was created in 1970 to protect the Giant Sable Antelope. These rare animals were first found in 1963.
• Evangelical Church at Quêssua: This is an important religious building in the area.
• Tomb of Queen Nzinga Mbande: You can visit the burial place of Queen Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande. She was a famous queen in Angolan history.
• Tomb of José do Telhado: This is the tomb of a local hero. José do Telhado was a Portuguese man who was sent to Angola. People say he was like a "Robin Hood" figure, stealing from rich white people and giving to poor Black people during colonial times.
• Forte de Cabatuquila: This old fort in the city is also worth seeing.

Transportation

Railway station of Malanje

Malanje Airport

Malanje has an airport that was built a long time ago. Currently, there are no regular flights from Malanje to the capital city, Luanda.

Railway connections

The construction of a railway line from Luanda to Malanje began in 1885. This railway was very important for connecting the fertile farming areas around Malanje to the port in Luanda. After the civil war ended in 2002, there were plans to fully rebuild the railway. It is expected to be a key transport link for the region.

See also

In Spanish: Malanje para niños