Kwango

Geography

The Cuango originates in the highlands of Alto Chicapa in the Angolan province of Lunda Sul, and flows south–north-west, crossing the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and joining the Kasai River near the town of Bandundo. Thereafter, it empties into the Congo River. Rising in the Lunda plateau, the river forms a deep valley.

The Kwango River is 1,100 kilometres (680 mi) long from its source to its confluence with Congo River, of which 855 kilometres (531 mi) lies in Angola. The river drains a total catchment area of 263,500 square kilometres (101,700 sq mi). Its right bank tributaries are the Wamba and Kwilu rivers.

The Cuango has a number of falls and rapids.

History

The Rund Kingdom, which expanded to become the Lunda Empire, encompassed territory stretching from Kwango River to the Luapula River. Its rulers partook in the slave trade. Lunda's expansion in the valley promoted a common political and cultural heritage while also promoting slave trading, accounting for the low population densities between the Kwango and Kwilu rivers.

The Portuguese colonized the Kwango River valley and usurped the Kingdom of Kasanje. The Kwango River was subject to a Portuguese treaty signing in Lisbon on 25 May 1891, and the Declaration of 24 March 1894.

Cuango, located in Lunda Norte Province within the Cuango River Valley, is considered to be "in the diamond heartland of northeastern Angola", the richest diamond area in Angola.

Economy

While the river is used for fishing, the valley is developed to the extent of providing subsistence agriculture only. Of note historically is palm oil and rubber production.

The main economic activity and revenue to the Angolan State is derived by extraction of diamonds from the valley. The river basin has a rich source of diamonds in the Chitamba-Lulo Kimberlite Cluster in Lunda Norte Province, which was discovered in the main river channel and on flats and terraces in its flood plains. The provinces of Lunda Norte and Lund Sul in the river valley account for largest number of diamond mines in the valley and in Angola.