Ilha de Luanda

Geographical location

The Ilha do Cabo ( German: " Cape Island" ) or Ilha de Luanda ( German: "Island of Luanda " ) is a narrow spit of 9 km in length and between 200 to 500 meters wide, in the southwest - northeast direction between the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Luanda in Angola is located.

The peninsula is also a parish in the municipality in the province of Luanda Ingombota.

The Ilha, as it is colloquially known by the population of Luanda is connected to the city by a narrow passage and is located at the foot of the fortress of São Miguel. Here is the place to relax many people especially on weekends from the stress of the capital. Along the beach, which extends to both sides of the main road in the northern part of the Ilha, have a choice of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Even hotels, a naval base, one of the best hospitals of Luanda, the marina and the former zoo and botanical garden ( Floresta ) are located here. On the southern part of Ilha towards the Praia do Bispo, Chicala, fishermen sell their catch in the morning.

On the headland is the oldest and thus first built by the Portuguese in Angola church, Church of Our Lady of the Cape. It was built by some 40 settlers in 1575 before moving to the mainland in 1576, founded the present capital Luanda.

The inhabitants of the island have retained some traditional habits. Women braiding hair, wearing pearls around the neck and wrists, and so-called Bessanganas, a costume made ​​of colorful fabrics. Every year in November, the feast of Quianda is celebrated (or Kianda ), a ritual worship of the deities of the waters and protector of fishermen.

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