Luanda

Luanda (formerly spelled Loanda) is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and administrative center and has a population of at least 5 million (2008). It is also the capital city of Luanda Province. Luanda is located at 8°50′18″S 13°14′04″E / 8.83833°S 13.23444°E / -8.83833; 13.23444 (-8.83833, 13.23444). The city is currently undergoing a major reconstr... more

Luanda (formerly spelled Loanda) is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and administrative center and has a population of at least 5 million (2008). It is also the capital city of Luanda Province. Luanda is located at 8°50′18″S 13°14′04″E / 8.83833°S 13.23444°E / -8.83833; 13.23444 (-8.83833, 13.23444). The city is currently undergoing a major reconstruction, with many large developments taking place that will alter the cityscape significantly. Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais founded Luanda in 1575 as "São Paulo de Loanda", with a hundred families of settlers and four hundred soldiers. In 1618 the Portuguese built the fortress called Fortaleza São Pedro da Barra, subsequently building two more: Fortaleza de São Miguel (1634) and Forte de São Francisco do Penedo (1765-6). Of these, the Fortaleza de São Miguel is the best preserved. Luanda was Portuguese Angola's administrative... less