Welcome to Huambo

Area: 2,609 km2 (1,007 sq mi) (Municipality and Town)
Calling Code: +244
Currency: Kwanza (AOA)
Population: Huambo Province: 1,896,147 (Huambo city: 665,574)
Time Zone: West African Time (UTC +1)

Located about 600km South East of Luanda; Huambo (formerly known as Nova Lisbon - New Lisbon), (1928 - 1975), is the capital of the province of Huambo in Angola. The city was founded on the 8th of August, 1912 by Portuguese General José Mendes Norton de Matos and by the 1920s, became one of the main economic engines of Angola.

Huambo connects to the port of Lobito in the Atlantic Ocean, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia by the 1,344km Benguela railway (Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB)). ‎The city ‎was extensively damaged when it ‎became the site of the battle between the government and Jonas Savimbi’s UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) from independence (1975) until his death in February 2002. Before the war, the province was known for producing food, tobacco, clothing, leather, furniture, building materials and metal. The conflict led to massive loss of lives, halted imports and exports and destroyed about 90 percent of industry.

Huambo is emerging steadily after the 27-year civil war and mineral resources such as ‎copper, iron ore, manganese and gold are attracting foreign investors to the province.‎ The province is divided into eleven (11) municipalities - Huambo, Londuimbale, Bailundo, Mungo, Tchindjenje, Ucuma, Ekunha, Tchicala-Tcholoanga, Catchiungo, Longonjo and Caála. These municipalities ‎are further sub-divided into 37 communes.

Information & Facts

Climate

Huambo has a highland tropical climate, with an average temperature of 19 º C, with two seasons: a dry and cold season and a rainy season, where the heat is almost not felt due to constant rainfall.

Getting Around

The easiest way to get around Huambo is via motorcycle taxis and charges vary from 100, 200, or 300 kwanzas depending on the distance. Ensure that the motorcycle you choose looks in decently good repair and has two good quality helmets.
Blue and White taxi Vans are also available to move from one side of the city to another. Prices start at 300 kwanzas for any journey and they are sometimes slow as they have to fill up before moving.
Because of the inherent risks of the transportation system in Huambo, it is advisable to walk around since the city is not large. It takes about 30 minutes to go from Cidade Alta (uptown) to the Cidade Baixa (downtown).

Language

Huambo sits in the center of the traditional area of the Ovimbundu people (who speak Umbundu).

Money

Kwanza (AOA) is the official currency of Angola. Notes are available in denominations of AOA2000, 100, 500, 200, 100, 50, 10, and 5. Until recently, it was illegal to attempt to take the Kwanza of the country as a souvenir. Credit Cards are not generally acceptable although ATMs can be found in major towns and cities especially in Luanda.

Sightseeing

When in Huambo, see the;