Portuguese rule in the historic center of Benguela. Benguela was founded in 1617 as
São Felipe de Benguela by the
Portuguese under Manuel Cerveira Pereira, 8th
Governor of
Angola (1604–1607). A short way beyond Benguela is
Baía Farta, where salt was manufactured and
sulphur was extracted. Close to
Baia Farta was the beach of
Baia Azul. The city prospered and grew in the following decades. The
Benguela Railway was built in the early 20th century by Portugal to connect the city and
Lobito to the interior, and it achieved great success when linked to the
Copperbelt of
Katanga,
DR Congo and
Zambia. Starting in the early 20th century, Benguela attracted, developed, and retained quality businesses and professionals into its growing economy.
Sisal and
fishing industries expanded and the financial, construction and services market boomed until 1974.
Post-independence In 1975, after the April 1974
Carnation Revolution in
Lisbon, Portugal, the Portuguese
Overseas Province of Angola became independent. Due to the
Angolan Civil War (1975–2002), which lasted more than 20 years after independence from Portugal, the important
Benguela railway line closed, with only the short distance of between Benguela and
Lobito remaining operational. In 1983 Benguela had a population of 155,000. During the civil war the city of Benguela increased its population due to refugees from the countryside.
21st century In the mid-2000s, with a more peaceful environment, restoration of the railway between Benguela and
Huambo commenced. While the colonial part of the city consists of relatively good-quality houses, as of 2011 most of the refugees live in slum areas. ==Transports==