Bengo

A province in the north of Angola founded in 1980 after the division of Luanda by the Council of the Revolution. Besides being new in the geographical map, the history of Bengo is linked to that of S. Paulo de Luanda, due to its proximity to the capital city of the country.

Bengo became a part of the contemporary history of Angola, as the birthplace of the first president of Angola, António Agostinho Neto and of other renowned nationalists who fought for the independence of the country. Spread throughout an area of 41000 square kilometers and over 460 000 inhabitants, the province of Bengo in northern the coastal area of the country, and it comprises 5 municipalities:
Dembos Kibaxe (or Quibaxe), Ambriz, Bula Atumba, Dande, Dembos, Icolo and Bengo, Kissama, Nambuangongo, Pango Aluquém, where its capital city, Caxito, is located.

This province surrounds the capital of Luanda, bordering the ocean in the west, the provinces of Zaire and Uíge on the north, Northern Kuanza on the east and South Kwanza on the South. Its capital city, Caxito is located 55 kilometres north of Luanda. Although there are several rivers that cross the province, Kwanza River is the most important in the country. On rainy seasons the river banks become submersed.

Besides sheltering a great variety of sea birds (flamingos, pelicans, cranes, ducks, among others), Bengo has a rich and varied fauna that includes animals such as Antelopes, wild pigs, elephants, monkeys, and exotic birds.

Benefiting from a favourable coastline, fishing in Bengo, at the barra do Dande and Ambriz, on the northern side, means great catches of lobsters and shrimps, and on Cape Ledo, in the south on a wide range of fish. On the beaches in this region it is still very common to see the sea turtle. In the south area of Bengo lies the famous Kissama National Park with an extension of 9.600kilometres.

Considered a priority area for the development of national tourism, the historical monuments in this province, located in the district of Muxima, are very well-known, and the Fortress and the Church, built during the times of the Portuguese Conquests, that hold the same name are the landmarks of the past history of the people in this region.

Bengo is a mandatory passage point, whether you are going south, north, or travelling to the centre by road or by sea. Tourism finds its highlight the Kissama National Park, the special Reserve of Mumbondo, the Coutada do Ambriz and long beaches, such as Pambala besides other areas of tourist interest. Having a privileged location, close to the capital and the ocean, this province will have a brilliant future as a tourist destination. Most of the population is Ambundu and the main economy of the population is based in agriculture and fishing. The most spoken language in this province is Kimbundo.