Cuanza River

{{Infobox river

| name = Kwanza

| name_native =

| name_native_lang =

| name_other = Cuanza, Coanza, Quanza,

| name_etymology =

| nickname =

| image =

| image_size =

| image_caption =

| image_alt =

| map = Cuanza River System OSM.png

| map_size = 250px

| map_caption = Kwanza River and tributaries

| map_alt =

| pushpin_map =

| pushpin_map_size =

| pushpin_map_caption=

| pushpin_map_alt =

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = Angola

| length = {{cvt|960|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{cite web |title=Source book for the inland fishery resources of Africa Vol. 1 |url=https://www.fao.org/3/T0473E/T0473E01.htm |website=www.fao.org |publisher=FAO |access-date=3 December 2021}}

| width_min =

| width_avg =

| width_max =

| depth_min =

| depth_avg =

| depth_max =

| discharge1_location= Near mouth

| discharge1_min =

| discharge1_avg = (Period: 1971–2000){{cvt|1,944.3|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=163&catid=325&Itemid=179|title=South West Coast}}

| discharge1_max =

| source1 = Bié Plateau

| source1_location = Central Angola

| source1_coordinates=

| source1_elevation = {{cvt|1,234|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| mouth = Atlantic Ocean

| mouth_location = {{Convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Luanda

| mouth_coordinates = {{Coord|9|21|S|13|9|E|display=inline}}

| mouth_elevation =

| progression =

| river_system = Kwanza River

| basin_size = {{cvt|152,570|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.riversnetwork.org/V1/index.php/component/content/?view=article&id=163&catid=325&Itemid=179|title=South West Coast}}

| basin_landmarks =

| basin_population =

| tributaries_left = Kukema, Cunhinga, Ngango, Cutato

| tributaries_right = Cuiva, Luando, Cuige, Lucala

| waterbodies = Cambambe reservoir

| waterfalls =

| bridges =

| ports =

| custom_label =

| custom_data =

| extra =

}}

The Kwanza River,{{cite web |title=O Perfil de Angola |url=https://governo.gov.ao/ao/angola/o-perfil-de-angola/ |website=Portal Official do Governo da República de Angola |publisher=Governo de Angola |access-date=18 December 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924162332/https://governo.gov.ao/ao/angola/o-perfil-de-angola/ |url-status=dead }} also known as the Coanza,{{sfnp|EB|1878}} the Quanza,{{sfnp|EB|1878}} and the Cuanza, is the longest river in Angola. It empties into the Atlantic Ocean just south of the national capital Luanda.

Geography

The river is navigable for about {{convert|150|mi|km|sp=us}} from its mouth, located {{convert|60|km|sp=us}} south of Luanda. Its tributaries include the Cutato and Lucala.

History

The river's navigable lower course was the original route of the Portuguese invasion of northern Angola.

The Capanda Dam in Malanje Province was finished in 2004, providing hydroelectric power to the region and assisting in its irrigation. The Cambambe Dam and the Lauca Dam were also constructed on the river. The Caculo Cabaça Dam is under construction with estimated completion in 2024. The Barra do Kwanza, the mouth of the river, is gradually being developed for tourism, including a golf course.

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Victoria stands near the banks of the Kwanza River in Massanganu, Province of Cuanza-Norte, Angola.Valdez, F. T. (1861), Six Years of a Traveller's Life in Western Africa, Vol. II, Hurst and Blackett.

Wildlife

Rich biodiversity has been 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.[http://www.scidev.net/en/sub-suharan-africa/news/sub-saharan-africa-news-in-brief-13-25-march.html "Sub-Saharan Africa news in brief: 13–25 March, 2008"]. SciDev.Net (website). Accessed May 2010. Sportfishing includes tarpon.

Legacy

Angola's currency, the kwanza, is named after the river.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hy3Z8PyN5t0C&q=Kwanza+%3D%3D%5D&pg=PT268|title=The Last Train to Zona Verde: Overland from Cape Town to Angola|first=Paul|last=Theroux|date=30 May 2013|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=9780241965139|via=Google Books}} The river is also the namesake of the provinces of Cuanza Norte ("Cuanza North") and Cuanza Sul ("Cuanza South").

References

=Citations=

=Bibliography=

{{citation |contribution=Coanza |title=Encyclopædia Britannica|edition=9th|volume=VI|editor-last=Baynes |editor-first=Thomas Spencer |display-editors=0 |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons |location=New York |date=1878 |ref={{harvid|EB|1878}} |page=81 }}.

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20120813015647/http://www.waterandnature.org/en/resources/publications/thematic-collection/facts-figures/watersheds-world Map of the Cuanza River basin at Water Resources eAtlas]

{{Coord|9|21|S|13|09|E|display=title|region:AO_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}}

Category:Rivers of Angola