Bié Province

Bié is a province of the African nation of Angola.

Geography and population

The province is located in the center of the country in the highlands of Bié, where many of the major rivers of the country spring, about the Cuanza.

The population belongs to the largest part of the ethnic group of the Ovimbundu. Here, the former liberation movement and current political party UNITA has its original roots. Its founder and longtime leader, Jonas Savimbi, was born in this province. The current UNITA president Isaias Samakuva comes from the city Kunje in Bié.

History

During the civil war in Angola great destruction took place in the province, particularly in Kuito. Bié is considered the most corrupt province in the Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 2002. Since about 2005, the Reconstruction work is strengthened. The Benguela railway crosses now again the province.

Policy

The population continues to distance to the MPLA government; in the elections in August 2012 got here UNITA a vote share of 36 % - the highest she has achieved in a province.

Management

The Bié province has an area of ​​70,314 km ² and an estimated population of about 2 million inhabitants (as of 2006), after about a million in 1988.

The provincial capital is called Kuito in colonial times Silva Porto.

The following counties ( municipios ) lie in the province of Bié:

• Andulo
• Camacupa
• Catabola
• Chinguar
• Chitembo
• Cuemba
• Cunhinga
• Kuito
• N'harea