Lobito, Angola

Welcome to Lobito, a beautiful municipality located in Benguela Province, on the Atlantic Coast north of the Catumbela Estuary in Angola. This city was founded in 1843 and owes its existence to the bay of the same name having been chosen as the sea terminus of the Benguela railway to the far interior, passing through Luau to Katanga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lobito is home to an estimated 393,079 people and covers an area of 3,648 km². With its rich history and stunning natural harbor, Lobito is one of Angola’s most important port cities.

History:
Lobito has a rich history and was founded in 1843 by order of Maria II of Portugal. The town was built on a sandspit and reclaimed land, with one of Africa’s finest natural harbors, protected by a 5 km long sandspit. It wasn’t until 1843 that Maria II of Portugal approved the foundation of the town, which had by then been known as Catumbela das Ostras (Catumbela of Oysters). Large developments, however, were not stimulated until the completion in 1928 of the important Benguela Railway, which connected Portuguese Angola with the Belgian Congo. Under Portuguese rule, the port was one of Angola’s busiest, exporting agricultural produce from the interior and handling transit trade from the mines of southeastern Belgian Congo and of Northern Rhodesia. Fishing, tourism and services were also important. The carnival in Lobito was also one of the most renowned and popular in Portuguese Angola.

Post-Independence:
After the April 25, 1974 Carnation Revolution in Lisbon, Angola was offered independence. Lobito’s port activities were highly limited by disruptions to railway transit and high insecurity during the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002). With peace and stability, in the 2000s, Lobito started the process of reconstruction and resumed its path to development.

Climate:
Lobito experiences a mild tropical arid climate with few temperature extremes. The winters are extremely dry and warm, while summers are relatively wet and hotter.

Transportation:
Lobito is the terminus of the Benguela Railway. The Port of Lobito is located in Lobito Bay on a sandspit approximately 4.8 km long. The port is administered by the Empresa Portuaria do Lobito. The Port of Lobito handles 2,000,000 tonnes of cargo and 370 ships annually, and along with economic development in the Benguela region, port facilities are under expansion. Lobito does not have its own airport. The city is located 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) from Catumbela Airport and 33 kilometers (21 mi) from Benguela Airport.

International Relations:
Lobito is twinned with: Sintra, Portugal and Lowell, Massachusetts, United States.

Whether you’re interested in the history and culture of Angola or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Lobito has something for everyone. With its stunning natural harbor and rich cultural heritage, Lobito is an unforgettable destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list.