Gabela is a town, with a population of 116,903 (2014), and a

commune A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...

, named Gabela Sede, in the municipality of

Amboim Porto Amboim is a port town in Cuanza Sul Province, Angola with a population of 65,000; it comprises an area of 4,638 km. In the past Porto Amboim was connected by an isolated 123 km narrow gauge railway to Gabela, albeit closed in 198 ...

, province of Cuanza Sul,

Angola , national_anthem = " Angola Avante"() , image_map = , map_caption = , capital = Luanda , religion = , religion_year = 2020 , religion_ref = , coordina ...

and the seat of that municipality. The area of the commune comprises 459 km² with a population of 184,723. It was founded as ''N'Guebela'' on September 28, 1907. Around the town, some areas of the

Angolan Scarp savanna and woodlands The Angolan Scarp savanna and woodlands is an ecoregion located on the coast of Angola, an area with a variety of habitats and rich in wildlife including many endemic birds and animals. Geography This ecoregion consists of the strip of land that ...

with its unique plants and animals are still to be found. The

Gabela akalat The Gabela akalat (''Sheppardia gabela'') is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to Angola. The name is in part derived from the town where they were first observed, Gabela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical ...

(''Sheppardia gabela''), a species of bird, was first recorded here by scientists and subsequently named after the town, as were the

Gabela helmet-shrike The Gabela helmetshrike (''Prionops gabela'') is a species of bird in the Vanga family Vangidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae. It is endemic to Angola. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests a ...

(''Prionops gabela'') and

Gabela bush-shrike The Gabela bushshrike (''Laniarius amboimensis'') or Amboim bushshrike is a bird in the family Malaconotidae. It is a reclusive and enigmatic bird, and it is not quite resolved whether it should better be considered a distinct species or a well- ...

(''Laniarius amboimensis''); these

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...

are only found in the uplands near Gabela.

Mining and transport

Gabela used to have a mine with a narrow gauge railway to

Porto Amboim Porto Amboim is a port town in Cuanza Sul Province, Angola with a population of 65,000; it comprises an area of 4,638 km. In the past Porto Amboim was connected by an isolated 123 km narrow gauge railway to Gabela, albeit closed in 198 ...

References

Populated places in Cuanza Sul Province Communes in Cuanza Sul Province {{Angola-geo-stub