Huambo is a
province
A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman '' provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
of
Angola
, national_anthem = " Angola Avante"()
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, capital = Luanda
, religion =
, religion_year = 2020
, religion_ref =
, coordina ...
. With an area of 34,270 km
2, it is one of the geographically smaller provinces, situated in the Central Region approximately 450 km south east of the capital, Luanda.
The province had a population of 2,019,555 according to the 2014 census, of which 48% are in urban areas.
Terrain and climate
The foundation of the Central Plateau is a vast slab of primeval crystalline rock that frequently outcrops in the form of isolated rocks or massive peaks. The most prominent peak in the province is
Mt. Môco in Londuimbali, with 2,620 metres. The peak is the highest point in
Angola
, national_anthem = " Angola Avante"()
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, capital = Luanda
, religion =
, religion_year = 2020
, religion_ref =
, coordina ...
. The headwaters of the
Kunene River rise on the Central Plateau near Huambo town. Much of the soil in Huambo Province is of poor quality, and has been impoverished in many areas by overuse and erosion. However, it is generally of better quality than in the adjoining regions to the east, north and south.
Striking differences can be observed between the vegetation of the
highlands
Highland is a broad term for areas of higher elevation, such as a mountain range or mountainous plateau.
Highland, Highlands, or The Highlands, may also refer to:
Places Albania
* Dukagjin Highlands
Armenia
* Armenian Highlands
Australia
*Sou ...
and the lower zone towards the coast. One characteristic feature of the coastal area is the
baobab (''Adansonia Digitata'', or imbondeiro, in Portuguese). Tropical forests can also be found in the areas that receive significant rainfall. Until recently, the highlands were covered with a variety of trees; today, however, except in isolated areas in
Bailundo and other regions, grasslands have taken the place of forest and woodland. Traditional methods of agriculture, slash-and-burn techniques (''queimadas'') and overpopulation by large concentrations of people displaced from their homes during the war (1975–2002) have caused significant deforestation. The use of wood fuel for the
Benguela Railway until the 1980s was also responsible for
deforestation
Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. The most concentrated ...
. Large extensions of native forest have been cut down and replaced by rapid-growing and soil-depleting eucalyptus and pine trees.
The Central Plateau is well within the tropical zone, but altitude and the effect of the southwestern Antarctic current combine to produce a moderate climate. The annual variation of temperature is small, with maximum temperatures varying between 17 and 28 °C during much of the year. The average maximum is approximately 22 °C. During the winter months (May–July), temperatures may reach as low as 5 to 8 °C. Mean annual rainfall varies from 800 to 1600 mm, according to region. In the Central Plateau, seasonal rains begin with a few showers during September, increase during October and November, have a break of two to four weeks in December, January or February, and continue until the end of April. The heaviest rainfall is usually in November or December.
Demography
The Province of Huambo has an area of 35,771.15 km
2. It is divided into 11 municipalities that are sub-divided into 37 communes. It borders the Province of
Kuanza Sul
Cuanza Sul Province ("South Cuanza"; Umbundu: Kwanza Kombuelo Volupale) is a province of Angola. It has an area of and a population of 1,881,873. Sumbe is the capital of the province. Don founded the province in 1769 as Novo Redondo.
Histor ...
to the northwest,
Bie to the north and east,
Benguela to the west, and
Huila to the south. According to the Provincial Department of Statistics and Planning, Huambo is a relatively populated province with 1,948,000 people (approximately 15% of the estimated national of 12.6 million). More than half, 55%, of the population is urbanized, concentrated in Huambo City (822,000 people) and Caála Municipality (239,000 people). Recent population movements towards the native rural areas and functional deficiencies of the Civil Administration make difficult to accurately estimate population figures. The Huambo Provincial Department of Statistics and Planning reports that 419,000, or approximately 22% of the population, are children under five years of age.
* Municipality:
Bailundo:
** Commune: ''Bailundo:'' 106 villages, 838 km
2
** Commune: ''
Bimbe (M'Bimbi):'' 194 villages, 1,004 km
2
** Commune: ''
Hengue-Caculo:'' 123 villages, 1,510 km
2
** Commune: ''
Lunge:'' ?? villages, ??? km
2
** Commune: ''
Luvemba:'' 214 villages, 2,163 km
2
* Municipality:
Caála:
** Commune: ''Caála:'' 90 villages, 729 km
2
** Commune: ''
Calenga:'' 52 villages, 389 km
2
** Commune: ''
Catata:'' 74 villages, 1,090 km
2
** Commune: ''
Cuíma:'' 116 villages, 1,472 km
2
* Municipality:
Ekunha (Ecunha):
** Commune: ''Ecunha:'' 80 villages, 797 km
2
** Commune: ''
Quipeio:'' 67 villages, 880 km
2
* Municipality:
Huambo
Huambo, formerly Nova Lisboa (English: ''New Lisbon''), is the third-most populous city in Angola, after the capital city Luanda and Lubango, with a population of 595,304 in the city and a population of 713,134 in the municipality of Huambo (Cens ...
:
** Commune: ''Huambo:'' 164 villages, 668 km
2
** Commune: ''
Calima:'' 61 villages, 1,348 km
2
** Commune: ''
Chipipa (Tchipipa):'' 63 villages, 593 km
2
* Municipality:
Katchiungo (Catchiungo):
** Commune: ''Catchiungo:'' 66 villages, 645 km
2
** Commune: ''
Chinhama:'' 51 villages, 1,445 km
2
** Commune: ''
Chiumbo:'' 82 villages, 857 km
2
* Municipality:
Londuimbali (Londuimbale):
** Commune: ''Londuimbali:'' 71 villages, 589 km
2
** Commune: ''
Alto–Hama:'' 69 villages, 781 km
2
** Commune: ''
Cumbila (Kumbila):'' 34 villages, 305 km
2
** Commune: ''
Ngalanga (Galanga):'' 66 villages, 608 km
2
** Commune: ''
Ussoque:'' 25 villages, 415 km
2
* Municipality:
Longonjo:
** Commune: ''Longonjo:'' 60 villages, 790 km
2
** Commune: ''
Chilata:'' 57 villages, 880 km
2
** Commune: ''
Iava:'' 36 villages, 585 km
2
** Commune: ''
Lépi:'' 57 villages 660 km
2
* Municipality:
Mungo:
** Commune: ''Mungo:'' 139 villages, 3,500 km
2
** Commune: ''
Cambuengo:'' 127 villages, 1,900 km
2
* Municipality:
Tchicala Tcholoanga (Chicala-Choloanga):
** Commune: ''Chicala-Choloanga:'' 93 villages, 1,025 km
2
** Commune: ''
Mbave:'' ?? villages, ??? km
2
** Commune: ''
Sambo
, aka = Sombo (in English-speaking countries)
, focus = Hybrid
, country = Soviet Union
, pioneers = Viktor Spiridonov, Vasili Oshchepkov, Anatoly Kharlampiev
, famous_pract = List of Practitioners
, oly ...
:'' 177 villages, 1,450 km
2
** Commune: ''
Samboto:'' 87 villages, 1,300 km
2
* Municipality:
Tchinjenje (Chinjenje):
** Commune: ''Chinjenje:'' 54 villages, 500 km
2
** Commune: ''
Chiaca:'' 57 villages, 300 km
2
* Municipality:
Ukuma (Ucuma):
** Commune: ''Ucuma:'' 97 villages, 750 km
2
** Commune: ''
Cacoma:'' 82 villages, 500 km
2
** Commune: ''
Mundundo:'' 55 villages, 350 km
2
''Source : Ministry of Planning, 2003''
Government
The province is headed by a Governor, currently Faustino Muteka,
assisted by two vice-governors (Social and Economical Affairs). The central Government is represented also by 3 Delegates who report to their Ministry and to the Governor: Finance, Justice and Interior. The rest of Ministerial Delegations became Directorates after a reform introduced in June 1998: Health, Education, Energy and Water, Urbanism, Agriculture, Social Assistance, strengthening thus even more the power of the Governor to whom they report.
All 11 Municipalities are headed by the civilian Administrators, under whom come 35 Communal Administrators. These have their own politically appointed ''Regedores'' (textually, Rulers) and the traditional leaders, the ''Sobas'', who have lost much of their ancestral significance in the decision – making process.
Agriculture and food security
Huambo is the richest agricultural province in Angola. In 1999 the Province produced almost 22% of total national cereal production: 115,000 t out of a total of 530,000 t. As a result of improved security, areas used for cultivation in the Province have increased during the past years to about 500 km
2. This represents the largest increase in the country since the end of the war.
The principal cereal crop is
maize
Maize ( ; ''Zea mays'' subsp. ''mays'', from es, maíz after tnq, mahiz), also known as corn (North American and Australian English), is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. The ...
with 1950 km
2 under cultivation. Yields are low, only 40 t/km
2, compared with yields of between 50 and 120 t/km
2 in other provinces. The second cereal crop is millet/
sorghum with approximately 160 km
2 under production. Grain production has increased significantly in recent years. Total output rose to a peak of 159,000 t in the 1997/1998 season compared to only 17,000 t in 1993/1994. Climate and pest conditions forced production back to 115,000 t in 1998/1999 and to an estimated 88,000 t in 1999/2000. Other crops produced in the province include beans (450 km
2) and manioc (415 km
2), sweet potatoes (95 km
2) and Irish potatoes (32 km
2).
Coffee (''Arabica'' type) used to be a significant produce of Huambo thanks to the favourable altitude and weather conditions of the Province, and is currently being reintroduced as the main crop in many farms of the region.
Health and nutrition
Approximately 25 basic health facilities are operational within the Province, run by the Government or humanitarian agencies, covering 547,500 people in Huambo city and the municipality of Caála. According to the
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of ...
and the Ministry of Health, this represents an average of one facility per 20,778 people, close to the Angolan average of one health unit per 20,000 people. In Huambo, one health unit serves 18,000 people while in Caála, one unit covers 33,000 people. The provincial hospital is based in Huambo city.
Vaccination coverage in Huambo city is higher than in other municipalities. In Huambo city, 16 vaccination posts cover 89,800 children under five years of age (one post per 5,600 children). In Caála, two posts cover 19,700 children (2002).
Education
Approximately 40 primary and three secondary schools operate in Huambo city (2001). Five schools target displaced children. In Caála, seven schools target displaced children.
Water and sanitation
In Huambo, the main water treatment plant has not functioned properly since 1975 and the 400 km of water pipes are in poor condition. The population is currently dependent on wells for water access. During recent years, considerable work in the sector was undertaken by the Government and humanitarian agencies, including construction of 550 family latrines and 25 wells in villages and communities.
Mines
The number of mines and unexploded ordnance (
UXO) in the Province is unknown. An average of eight mine accidents per month are reported. Mine accident statistics are gathered by humanitarian agencies through Huambo Central Hospital where all mine-related injuries are referred.
Demining activities happen throughout the Province and are currently being implemented by an International
NGO
A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...
. Other humanitarian institutions provide ongoing mine awareness programmes. During the year 2002, 145,000 people participated in these programmes. Mine awareness activities include theatre and puppet shows as well as exhibitions in schools and internally displaced people camps. Additionally, ten-minute radio programmes on the dangers of mines are broadcast two times per week.
List of governors
Notable natives
*
Georges Rebelo Chicoti, current
Minister of Foreign Affairs
A foreign affairs minister or minister of foreign affairs (less commonly minister for foreign affairs) is generally a cabinet minister in charge of a state's foreign policy and relations. The formal title of the top official varies between co ...
*
Paulo Kassoma, former Huambo Governor
*
José Eduardo Agualusa
José Eduardo Agualusa Alves da Cunha (born December 13, 1960) is an Angolan journalist and writer of Portuguese and Brazilian descent. He studied agronomy and silviculture in Lisbon, Portugal. Currently he resides in the Island of Mozambiqu ...
, writer
*
Sousa Jamba, writer
References
Citations
Bibliography
Jornal de Angola (in Portuguese)
External links
Official website of the Government of Huambo ProvinceInformation on this province at the Angolan ministry for territorial administrationInformation on this province at ''Info Angola''''Huambo Digital'', a web page of the Association ''Anaphua'' (Friends of Huambo), in PortugueseThe weather in HuamboWeb page of ''Development Workshop'', an international development organization based in Huambo and LuandaProvince geographical info at geoview.info
{{Authority control
Provinces of Angola