Known for agriculture, rivers, and proximity to Luanda.
2. Benguela
Capital: Benguela
Coastal province with rich history, fishing, salt production, and Lobito Port.
3. Bié
Capital: Kuito
Central province with fertile highlands, coffee, and farming.
4. Cabinda
Capital: Cabinda
Exclave province, separated from mainland Angola by the DRC. Rich in oil reserves.
5. Cuando Cubango
Capital: Menongue
Vast, sparsely populated, rich in wildlife and nature reserves.
6. Cuanza Norte
Capital: N’dalatando
Agricultural region, famous for coffee and tropical crops.
7. Cuanza Sul
Capital: Sumbe
Important agricultural area producing coffee, sugarcane, and tropical fruits.
8. Cunene
Capital: Ondjiva
Southern border province with Namibia, known for cattle farming.
9. Huambo
Capital: Huambo
One of Angola’s largest provinces, fertile lands, and a major agricultural hub.
10. Huíla
Capital: Lubango
Mountainous region, known for Serra da Leba pass and diverse agriculture.
11. Luanda
Capital: Luanda
The smallest province but home to the national capital, economic hub, and largest population.
12. Lunda Norte
Capital: Lucapa
Rich in diamonds and minerals, with vast forested areas.
13. Lunda Sul
Capital: Saurimo
Another diamond-rich province with mining as its main economic activity.
14. Malanje
Capital: Malanje
Known for Kalandula Falls (one of Africa’s largest waterfalls) and fertile farmlands.
15. Moxico
Capital: Luena
Angola’s largest province, mostly forested, with wildlife and natural resources.
16. Namibe
Capital: Namibe
Coastal desert province, home to the Namib Desert and Welwitschia plant.
17. Uíge
Capital: Uíge
Important for coffee production and rich in forests.
18. Zaire
Capital: M’banza-Kongo
Historically significant as the center of the ancient Kongo Kingdom; oil-rich region.
📌 Angola’s provinces vary greatly—from oil-rich Cabinda, diamond-rich Lundas, fertile central highlands, to desert Namibe—showing the country’s geographical and economic diversity.
Map of Angola’s 18 provinces and their capitals
Angola
Official Name: Republic of Angola
Capital City: Luanda
Location: Southern Africa, bordered by Namibia (south), Zambia (east), Democratic Republic of the Congo (north), and the Atlantic Ocean (west).
Area: ~1,246,700 km² (7th largest in Africa)
Population: ~36 million (2023 est.)
Official Language: Portuguese
Other Languages: Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Chokwe, and others
Currency: Kwanza (AOA)
Government: Unitary presidential republic
Geography
Angola has 18 provinces (Cabinda being an exclave).
Landscape includes:
Atlantic coastline with fertile plains.
Central highlands – rich in agriculture.
Southern deserts (Namib Desert).
Rivers like the Cuanza and Cuando.
Rich in biodiversity: elephants, lions, giraffes, and marine life.
Economy
One of Africa’s most resource-rich countries.
Key sectors:
Oil & Gas (main export, ~90% of revenue, especially Cabinda).
Diamonds (Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul).
Agriculture (coffee, maize, cassava, sugarcane).
Fisheries along the Atlantic coast.
Challenges: Over-reliance on oil, inequality, infrastructure gaps.
History
Pre-colonial: Part of powerful kingdoms, most notably the Kingdom of Kongo.
Colonized by Portugal in the 16th century.
Independence: November 11, 1975.
Civil War: 1975–2002, between MPLA, UNITA, and FNLA, devastating the country.
Post-war recovery has focused on reconstruction and economic growth.
Culture
Strong influence from Portuguese colonization (language, Catholicism).
Rich traditions in music (kizomba, semba, kuduro), dance, and crafts.
