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TOURISM IN ANGOLA
modern Gabon in the north to the Kwanza River in
the south.
Benguela, a Portuguese fort from 1587 which be-
came a town in 1617, was another important early
settlement they founded and ruled. The Portuguese
establish several settlements, forts and trading posts
along the coastal strip of current-day Angola, which
relied on slave trade, commerce in raw materials and
exchange of goods for survival.
Within the Portuguese Empire, most Black African
slaves were traded to Portuguese merchants who
bought them to sell as cheap labor for use on Brazil-
ian agricultural plantations.
The Portuguese gradually took control of the coast-
al strip during the sixteenth century by a series of
treaties and wars forming the Portuguese colony of
Angola. Taking advantage of the Portuguese Resto-
ration War, the Dutch occupied Luanda from 1641
to 1648, where they allied with local peoples, con-
solidating their colonial rule against the remaining
Portuguese resistance.
Development of the hinterland began after th e Berlin
Conference in 1885 fixed the colony’s borders, and
British and Portuguese investment fostered mining,
railways, and agriculture based on various forced
labor systems.
The patriotic wars date from the XIX century and
grew more intensely from the 1960’s, successfully
bringing to an end the Portuguese rule. Angola de-
clared its independence on 11th November 1975,
MPLA leader Dr Agostinho Neto became the first
president of the republic of Angola.
Almost immediately, the country faced a devastating
civil war which lasted 27 years and ended in Febru-
ary 2002, after a cease fire is agreed following the
death of Jonas Savimbi, the leader of UNITA.
10 years of stability have allowed Angola to recover
and rebuild its future. The country has achieved eco-
nomical growth, stability and development and is ea-
ger for catching up with its new destiny.
NATURE AND WILD LIFE
Business-oriented tourism and internal tourism are
still predominant in Angola. Angola has been bless-
ed with a great natural heritage and an important
diversified environment precious to the development
of various types of tourism.
15% of Angola’s territory is dedicated to numerous
protected areas that include national and regional
parks, forests, integral and partial reserves and hunt-
ing grounds.
The scope of interests is wide:
The hospitality of Angolan people
Landscape diversity that ranges from mountains,
forests, desert, waterfalls,…
Ethnographic and cultural heritage
Infinity of white sand beaches with famous spots
for surf
Temperate sea
A rich fauna and flora
An important number of parks and reserves
Navigable rivers rich in fishing resources
The fauna is diversified and includes the Big Five
mammals, unique species of birds and butterflies,
some endemic species such as the famous Palanca
Negra, national icon of Angola.
The fort of São Miguel in Luanda
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