The Kwanza River,
Geography
The river is navigable for about from its mouth, located south of
Luanda. Its tributaries include the
Cutato River and
Lucala River.
History
The river's navigable lower course was the original route of the Portuguese invasion of northern Angola.
The Capanda Dam in Malanje Province was finished in 2004, providing hydroelectric power to the region and assisting in its irrigation. The Cambambe Dam and the Lauca Dam were also constructed on the river. The Caculo Cabaça Dam is under construction with estimated completion in 2024. The Barra do Kwanza, the mouth of the river, is gradually being developed for tourism, including a golf course.
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Victoria stands near the banks of the Kwanza River in Massanganu, Province of Cuanza-Norte, Angola.[Valdez, F. T. (1861), Six Years of a Traveller's Life in Western Africa, Vol. II, Hurst and Blackett.
]
Wildlife
Rich
biodiversity has been found in the Angolan river, according to research reported on the Science and Development Network website. Angola's first biodiversity tally of the Kwanza River has so far found 50 fish species. Researchers from the National Fishing Research Institute and the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity say
genetic testing may reveal new species.
[ "Sub-Saharan Africa news in brief: 13–25 March, 2008". SciDev.Net (website). Accessed May 2010.] Sportfishing includes
tarpon.
Legacy
Angola's currency, the
Angolan kwanza, is named after the river.
The river is also the namesake of the provinces of Cuanza Norte ("Cuanza North") and Cuanza Sul ("Cuanza South").
See also
-
Quissama National Park, to the south of the river
Citations
Bibliography
External links
