Country Angola Time zone WAT (UTC+1) | Province Cuando Cubango Climate Cwa | |
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Cuito Cuanavale is a town and municipality in Cuando Cubango (Kuando-Kubango) province in Angola. The names Kuito Kuanavale or Kwito Kwanavale are sometimes used, although this is a mutation of the original Portuguese name.
It covers an area of 35,610 square kilometres (13,750 sq mi) and its estimated population as of 2006 is 65,441 inhabitants. Cuito Cuanavale is bordered to the north by the municipality of Luchazes, to the east by the municipality of Mavinga, to the south by the municipality of Nancova, and to the west by the municipalities of Menongue and Chitembo
The area around the town was the scene of heavy fighting during various campaigns during the Angolan Civil War and the South African Border War, with the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale from 1987-1988 being the largest land battle in Africa since World War II. The town is served by Cuito Cuanavale Airport.
History
The town owes its name to two local rivers: the Cuito and the Cuanavale. The city day is celebrated on October 21, with an annual celebration being organized for the occasion.