Cuanza Sul Province

Cuanza Sul Province ("South Cuanza"; Umbundu: Kwanza Kombuelo Volupale) is a province of Angola. It has an area of and a population of 1,881,873. Sumbe is the capital of the province. Dom founded the province in 1769 as Novo Redondo ("New Redondo").

History

The province was badly affected during the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002). A large number of civilians were killed in the clashes between National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and Angolan 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. Around 116,000 displaced people were living in camps. The majority of them were from the rural areas and the densely populated plateau regions. On 17 December 2000, the UNITA combatants killed 31 FAA soldiers and looted vehicles, arms and about 20,000 litres of diesel in Quibala. In April 2001 they attacked FAA outposts and captured firearms.

Landmines laid during the civil war are still present and contracts to clear them were given to different organisations. They are still present in several areas. The province has a high density of landmines. 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.

Geography

300px|thumb|Cachoeiras do Binda

Kibalas, N'goias, Musseles, Mussumbas and Bailundos are the major ethnic groups in the province. The Kimbundu language is most commonly used. Umbundu is also spoken. Bengo Province and Cuanza Norte Province are located to its north. 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 in length. Cuanza Sul city lies on the southern bank of the Cuanza River.

Cuanza Sul Province

History

Geography

Economy and education

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links