Area Sections
Catumbela
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Catumbela Originally called Quitumbela, the city was named for a "soba" or traditional leader in the area. Catumbela provided excellent water and a much friendlier climate than Benguela and at one point in 1650 there was talk of moving the provincial capital from Benguela to Catumbela for these reasons. Catumbela grew out of the profitable inland trade that mushroomed following the opening of the road to Bailundo and Bie. Large-scale trade in rubber began in 1888 and was the basis for Catumbela's quick development. As the rubber trade boomed Catumbela grew in importance, reaching its peak in the last two decades of the 19th century.
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