Benguela (; Umbundu: Luombaka) is a city in western Angola, capital of Benguela Province.
History
Portuguese rule
thumb|left|17th century map of Benguela.
thumb|left|[[Portuguese colonial architecture in the historic center of Benguela.]]
Benguela was founded in 1617 as São Felipe de Benguela by the Portuguese under Manuel Cerveira Pereira, 8th Governor of Angola (1604–1607). A short way beyond Benguela is Baía Farta, where salt was manufactured and sulphur was extracted. Close to Baia Farta was the beach of Baia Azul. The city prospered and grew in the following decades.
The Benguela Railway was built in the early 20th century by Portugal to connect the city and Lobito to the interior, and it achieved great success when linked to the Copperbelt of Katanga, DR Congo and Zambia.
Starting in the early 20th century, Benguela attracted, developed, and retained quality businesses and professionals into its growing economy. Sisal and fishing industries expanded and the financial, construction and services market boomed until 1974.
Post-independence
In 1975, after the April 1974 Carnation Revolution in Lisbon, Portugal, the Portuguese Overseas Province of Angola became independent.
thumb|right|Benguela City Hall.
Due to the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002), which lasted more than 20 years after independence from Portugal, the important Benguela railway line closed, with only the short distance of between Benguela and Lobito 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.
21st century
In the mid-2000s, with a more peaceful environment, restoration of the railway between Benguela and Huambo commenced.
While the colonial part of the city consists of relatively good-quality houses, as of 2011 most of the refugees live in slum areas.
Transports
The city has an airport, the Benguela Airport.
The city is connected to the railway with the Benguela Railway.
Economy
thumb|left|300px|Estádio Nacional de Ombaka.
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, and tobacco 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.
Notable residents
- Maria Araújo Kahn (born 1963/1964), judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- Leila Lopes (born 1986), Miss Angola 2010 and Miss Universe 2011
- Matias Damásio (born 1982), musician
- Luís Sá Silva (born 1990), racing driver