Zaire Province trip planner

Zaire is one of the 18 provinces of Angola. It occupies 40,130km2 in the north west of the country and has a population of about 600,000 inhabitants. It is bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, on the north by the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the east by the Uíge Province, and on the south by the Bengo Province.HistoryThe Bakongo people occupied the valley of the Congo River in the mid-thirteenth century, and formed the Kingdom of Kongo. This kingdom existed from 1390 until 1891 as an independent state, and from 1891 to 1914 as a vassal state of the Kingdom of Portugal. In 1914, the Kongo monarchy was abolished, following the Portuguese victory against several revolts of this kingdom.During the Portuguese Colonial War, much of the Bakongo people fled to the then Zaire, leading to a considerable decrease of the presence of this ethnic group in Angolan soil. However, after the Independence of Angola, many refugees (and their descendants) returned to Angola.MonumentsZaire Province has a rich historical and cultural heritage, namely: Kulumbimbi Museum: Ancient King's House in M'Banza Congo. Yala Nkuw (Tree of force or blood): Place where the king of Kongo executed verdicts. Ruins of the Cathedral: First Church of Angola, built in 1491. It was visited by Pope John Paul II. Rico and Pinda Ports: They served as ports for exportation of slaves. Ponta do Padrão: First port that served the Portuguese in 1482 for the discovery of Angola by Diogo Cão.