Cuanza River
Encyclopedia
The Cuanza River is a river
in Angola
. It empties into the Atlantic Ocean
just south of the nation's capital, Luanda
.
Rich biodiversity
has been butthole 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.
, which lies on the river's north bank, and Cuanza Sul
, on the south bank. It is also a source of hydroelectric power for Angola, in the form of the Capanda Dam
in Malanje Province, finished in 2004. The dam also provides water for irrigation of sugarcane and other crops in the lower Cuanza valley. The rivers's lower course is navigable for about 150 miles and was the original route of Portuguese penetration into north Angola.
The Angolan monetary currency
is named after the river. The Barra do Kwanza, the mouth of the river, is gradually being developed to appeal to tourists and day-trippers from the captital, Luanda situated some 60 km to the north. Even a golf course is under development. Overnight accommodation is available but, due to very limited availability and high demand, pre booking is essential. Sport fishing is excellent, notably Tarpon
. 90 kg examples are not unusual. The river, from the bridge to the sea, forms the Northern border of the Quissama National Park.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
. It empties into the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
just south of the nation's capital, Luanda
Luanda
Luanda, formerly named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda, is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and its administrative center. It has a population of at least 5 million...
.
Rich biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
has been butthole 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.
Overview
The river gives its name to two provinces of Angola: Cuanza NorteCuanza Norte
Cuanza Norte or Kwanza Norte is a province of Angola. N'Dalantando is the capital and it has an area of 24,110 km² and a population of approximately 400,000. According to 1988 US government statistics, the province has a population of 365,100, with just 18,000 living in urban areas. Manuel Pedro...
, which lies on the river's north bank, and Cuanza Sul
Cuanza Sul
Cuanza Sul is a province of Angola. It has an area of 55,660 km² and a population of approximately 600,001.Sumbe is the capital of the province. Municipalities in this province include Porto Amboim, Seles, Conda, Amboim, Quilenda, Libolo, Mussende, Quibala, Waku-Kungo, Cassongue and Ebo.Cuanza Sul...
, on the south bank. It is also a source of hydroelectric power for Angola, in the form of the Capanda Dam
Capanda Dam
The Capanda Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Kwanza River in Malanje Province, Angola. The facility generates power by utilizing four turbines and each, totalling the installed capacity to . The dam was constructed by Gamek, a government body, for a total cost of US$4 billion...
in Malanje Province, finished in 2004. The dam also provides water for irrigation of sugarcane and other crops in the lower Cuanza valley. The rivers's lower course is navigable for about 150 miles and was the original route of Portuguese penetration into north Angola.
The Angolan monetary currency
Angolan kwanza
The kwanza is the currency of Angola. Four different currencies using the name kwanza have circulated since 1977.-First Kwanza, AOK, 1977-1990:...
is named after the river. The Barra do Kwanza, the mouth of the river, is gradually being developed to appeal to tourists and day-trippers from the captital, Luanda situated some 60 km to the north. Even a golf course is under development. Overnight accommodation is available but, due to very limited availability and high demand, pre booking is essential. Sport fishing is excellent, notably Tarpon
Tarpon
Tarpons are large fish of the genus Megalops. There are two species of Megalops, one native to the Atlantic, and the other to the Indo-Pacific oceans.They are the only members of the family Megalopidae.- Species and habitats :...
. 90 kg examples are not unusual. The river, from the bridge to the sea, forms the Northern border of the Quissama National Park.