African Cities Timeline

Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises

M'Banza Kongo

Angola Zaire

Location
-6.27, 14.25

Historic capital of Kongo Kingdom, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Economic Role

Tourism, cultural heritage, agricultural center, regional commerce.

Mbanza-Congo

Angola Zaire

Location
-6.27, 14.25

Historic capital of Kongo Kingdom, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Economic Role

Tourism, cultural heritage, agricultural center, regional commerce.

Luanda

Angola Luanda

Location
-8.84, 13.29

Capital and largest city of Angola, center of Portuguese colonial heritage and modern Angolan culture.

Economic Role

Political and economic capital, major port city, oil industry hub, financial center.

Benguela

Angola Benguela

Location
-12.58, 13.41

Historic port city, center of coastal culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.

Economic Role

Major port city, fishing industry, tourism, regional commerce.

Soyo

Angola Zaire

Location
-6.13, 12.37

Oil industry center, important for Angola's petroleum sector.

Economic Role

Oil industry hub, petroleum processing, port services.

Sumbe

Angola Cuanza Sul

Location
-11.21, 13.84

Coastal city, center of fishing and agriculture.

Economic Role

Fishing industry, agricultural center, port services.

Namibe

Angola Namibe

Location
-15.20, 12.15

Coastal city, center of fishing industry and desert tourism.

Economic Role

Fishing industry, port services, tourism, mining.

Lobito

Angola Benguela

Location
-12.36, 13.54

Important port city, center of transportation and logistics.

Economic Role

Major port city, railway terminus, oil exports, logistics hub.

Malanje

Angola Malanje

Location
-9.54, 16.34

Provincial capital, center of local administration and culture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional commerce.

Cabinda

Angola Cabinda

Location
-5.55, 12.20

Enclave city, center of Cabinda culture and oil industry.

Economic Role

Oil industry center, petroleum exports, regional commerce.

Caconda

Angola Huíla

Location
-14.13, 15.07

Small city, center of local community and agriculture.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, local markets, regional commerce.

Lubango

Angola Huíla

Location
-14.92, 13.49

Major city in southern Angola, center of local culture and traditions.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, manufacturing, educational services, regional trade.

Menongue

Angola Cuando Cubango

Location
-14.66, 17.69

Provincial capital, center of local administration and trade.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional commerce.

Ondjiva

Angola Cunene

Location
-17.07, 15.73

Provincial capital, center of local administration and trade.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional commerce.

Dundo

Angola Lunda Norte

Location
-7.38, 20.83

Diamond mining center, important for Angola's mineral industry.

Economic Role

Diamond mining hub, mineral processing, regional commerce.

Huambo

Angola Huambo

Location
-12.78, 15.74

Second largest city, center of Ovimbundu culture and traditions, educational hub.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, manufacturing, educational services, regional trade hub.

Cuito

Angola Bié

Location
-12.38, 16.93

Provincial capital, center of local administration and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade.

N'Dalatando

Angola Cuanza Norte

Location
-9.30, 14.92

Provincial capital, center of local administration and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade.

Luena

Angola Moxico

Location
-11.78, 19.92

Provincial capital, center of local administration and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade.

Uíge

Angola Uíge

Location
-7.60, 15.06

Provincial capital, center of local administration and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade.

Saurimo

Angola Lunda Sul

Location
-9.65, 20.40

Provincial capital, center of diamond mining industry.

Economic Role

Diamond mining center, mineral processing, regional commerce.