Cuito Cuanavale is a town and municipality in Cuando Cubango (Kuando-Kubango) province in Angola.[2][3] The names Kuito Kuanavale or Kwito Kwanavale are sometimes used, although this is a mutation of the original Portuguese name.
Cuito Cuanavale | |
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Municipality | |
![]() ![]() Cuito Cuanavale Location in Angola | |
Coordinates: 15°10′S 19°10′E | |
Country | ![]() |
Province | Cuando Cubango |
Area | |
• Total | 35,610 km2 (13,750 sq mi) |
Population (2014)[1] | |
• Total | 40,829 |
• Density | 1.8/km2 (5/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Climate | Cwa |
It covers an area of 35,610 square kilometres (13,750 sq mi) and its population as of 2014 is 40,829 inhabitants.[1] Cuito Cuanavale is bordered to the north by the municipality of Luchazes, to the east by the municipality of Mavinga, to the south by the municipality of Nancova, and to the west by the municipalities of Menongue and Chitembo
The area around the town was the scene of heavy fighting during various campaigns during the Angolan Civil War and the South African Border War, with the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale from 1987-1988 being the largest land battle in Africa since World War II. The town is served by Cuito Cuanavale Airport.
The town owes its name to two local rivers: the Cuito and the Cuanavale.[4] The city day is celebrated on October 21, with an annual celebration being organized for the occasion.
It was in this municipality that some of the bloodiest clashes of the Angolan Civil War took place. On the one hand, the FAPLA, the armed forces of the MPLA, at the height of power fought, supported by the Cuban army, and on the other, the FALA, armed forces of UNITA, supported by the South African Army. Thousands of combatants died on both sides. At the end of the battle of Cuito Cuanavale, both UNITA and the MPLA declared themselves victorious. The biggest consequence of this conflict was the withdrawal of Cuban and South African forces from Angolan territory, and the consequent independence of Namibia. This event climaxed as one of the biggest battles on African soil since the end of World War II.
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Bengo Province |
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Benguela Province | |
Bié Province | |
Cabinda Province | |
Cuando Cubango Province | |
Cuanza Norte Province | |
Cuanza Sul Province | |
Cunene Province | |
Huambo Province | |
Huíla Province | |
Luanda Province |
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Lunda Norte Province | |
Lunda Sul Province | |
Malanje Province | |
Moxico Province |
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Namibe Province | |
Uíge Province | |
Zaire Province |
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Capital: Menongue | |
Menongue | |
Calai |
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Cuito Cuanavale | |
Cuangar | |
Cuchi |
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Dirico | |
Mavinga | |
Nancova | |
Rivungo |
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General |
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National libraries | |
Other |
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