Lubango - Economy, History, Transport, Interesting facts

14º55S 13º30E, pop (2001e) 73 600. Capital of Huíla province, SW Angola, SW Africa; 260 km/160 mi S of Benguela; at an elevation of 1760 m/5774 ft in a valley of the Huíla plateau surrounded by a scenic park; established (1885) as a settlement for colonists from the Madeira Is; Portuguese style architecture; railway; airfield; cathedral.

Coordinates: 14°55′S 13°30′E

Lubango is the capital city of the Angolan province of Huíla.

Economy

Lubango's economy is based on agriculture, especially meat products, cereals, sisal, tobacco, fruits and vegetables produced in the surrounding fertile region.

History

Lubango was known as Sá da Bandeira during the Portuguese colonial period. By 1923 the Moçâmedes Railway had connected the settlement to the coast and the Portuguese made it an official city and renamed it Sá da Bandeira. After Angola's Independence the city was once again renamed Lubango.

During the Angolan Civil War, Lubango served as a major base of Cuban and government troops. In 2001, A chartered Sociedade de Aviacao Ligeira Beechcraft 1900 crashes into a mountain while attempting to land at Lubango.

Transport

Lubango is the site of a major airport and headquarters a regiment of fighter bombers regiment of the Angolan Air Force.

Interesting facts

Some Basters (children of African and Cape Colony Dutch descent) emigrated from Namibia to Angola and settled in Lubango, where they are known as the Ouivamo, although many of them were forced to return to Namibia between 1928 and 1930 by white South Africans. Marco Abreu, of the Angola national football team was born in Lubango in 1974.