ANGOLA on the western coast of Africa, extends from the mouth of the river Danda, on the north, to Cape Negro on the south; lies between lat. 30', and 16°, 21', S.; and forms a coast of more than 480 miles ; but its breadth from west to east has never been ascer tained. This country, (anciently called Abonda, and by the Portuguese Angola ; by which name it is now known among Europeans,) has been divided into two parts ; the first called Angola Proper, anciently a province of Congo, and lying betwixt the river Danda and Coanza ; and the second, which extends from the last-mentioned river as far as Cape Negro on the south, is sometimes called the kingdom of Benguela. But the latter country having been conquered by the kings of Angola, both of them now form one kingdom, and are accordingly com prehended under the above dimensions.
This extensive country was originally divided into 17 provinces, the names of which, beginning at the southern extremity, are as follow : Chessarna, Sumbi, Benguela, Rimba, Sietta, High and Low Bembea, Temba, Oacco, Cabezzo, Lubola, Loanda, Bengo, Danda, Mosiehe, Higher and Lower Ilamba, Oraii, and Embacca. Of these the 11 following have been conquered by, and ac knowledge a subjection to the king of Portugal, viz. Benguela, Sietta, Oacco, Cabezzo, Lubolo, Bengo, Dan da, Mosiche, the Higher and Lower Ilamba, Oraii, and Embacca.
The principal rivers are the Danda and Coanza, which, after running from east to west through a great tract of country, pour their waters into the Atlantic. The Danda separates Angola from the kingdom of Congo on the north, and the Coanza forms the boundary of Angola Proper on the south. These rivers are not above 70 or 80 miles distant from each other at their influx into the ocean : that distance, as you proceed into the inte rior of the country, becomes much greater, but how much has never been ascertained. The Danda, which is supposed to issue from a lake among the high moun tains to the east, runs from south-east to north-west, during which it receives the Lucale, and some lesser streams. It gives its name to the province of Danda, and fertilizes all the countries through which it runs. It is easily navigable for upwards of 30 leagues ; but from the swarms of crocodiles, sea-horses, and monstrous serpents, with which it is infested, it is extremely dan gerous to those who attempt the navigation of it in ca noes, and small vessels. Its banks, upon each side, through the whole of its course, appear to be nearly of the same height ; but, when it is swollen by the heavy rains which fall in April and May, it overflows them, and the adjoining country. On the northern shore or its mouth there is a fort called Danda Capitantria, which serves as a guard to the frontiers between Congo and Angola.
The Coanza is a much larger, deeper, and more rapid river, and pours its waters into the Atlantic, about 12 leagues south of Loancla San Paulo, the capital of the kingdom. It is navigable for 150 miles, as far as Cam bamba, where the Portuguese have a fortress ; but above that, its navigation is completely stopt by high rocks, and tremendous cascades. It abounds with a variety of fish, and is beautified by several islands which its waters have formed ; but its source, and the extent of country through which it runs before it reaches the abovemen tioned settlement, as well as the rivers which arc tribu tary to it, are all unknown. Its embouchure, which
extends between Capes Pahnerino and Logo, is more than a league wide : vessels sail in at the northern shore, which is the deepest ; but its mouth is not easily perceived by vessels at sea, on account of an island, covered with trees, which lies just before it.
In the province of Loanda, and about 12 leagues north of the Cuanza, stands San Paulo de Loanda, the capital of Angola, built by the Portuguese in the year 1578, under the direction of Paulo digs de Novais, the first Portuguese governor. The name of this city is evidently derived from its founder, and from the province in which it stands. It is large, populous, and pleasantly situated on the declivity, of a hill near the sea coast; and the streets are straight, wide, and regular. It is said to contain not fewer than 3000 houses belonging to the Portuguese alone, all built of stone and mortar, and covered with tiles; and most of them very splendid, and richly furnished. The houses of the natives, though greatly more numerous, are very mean, built of earth, and thatched with straw. Here there reside a prodigious number of slaves, who are employed by the Portuguese in tilling the ground, and in other menial offices. The Jesuits alone, who officiate as parish priests, and preside over the schools, have not less than 12,000 under them. In the centre of the city stands a convent belonging to the Jesuits, a large and stately edifice, and endowed with a considerable revenue ; the city is also provided with an hospital and a cathedral, and is surrounded by a great many chapels and monasteries, which serve as walls and fortifications for the protection of the inhabi tants. The Portuguese, however, appear to repose less confidence in these bulwarks than in the protection of the saints to \whose worship they are dedicated, as may be inferred from the magnificence with which they cele brate their festivals, on which a sum equal to 30,000 crowns is said to be annually expended. To this city there is a great resort, as it is the residence of the Portuguese governor and bishop, and the seat of the chief courts of judicature. The country around it is fertile and well cultivated, delightfully variegated with beautiful vallies and gardens, and commanding an ex tensive prospect of the sea. It enjoys the great advan tage of a spacious, safe, and commodious port, shelter ed by the island of Loanda, about five leagues in length and one in breadth, which lies over against it, at the distance of about half a mile. This island supplies the city with excellent water from pit wells ; but it must be drawn during the high tide, for as the tide recedes, the water becomes more and more brackish, till at low wa ter it is perfectly salt. On this island the Portuguese have built a number of houses, several handsome churches, and a convent : here also they are well pro vided with lime kilns, in which they burn oyster shells, and obtain a great supply of excellent lime.