Catabola is a town and municipality in Bié Province in central Angola.[3][4] It is located 52.5 kilometres (32.6 mi) by road northeast of Kuito, on the road to Camacupa. The municipality had a population of 126,631 in 2014.[1]
Catabola | |
|---|---|
Municipality and town | |
  Catabola Location in Angola | |
| Coordinates: 12°7′S 17°18′E / 12.117°S 17.300°E | |
| Country |  Angola |
| Province | Bié Province |
| Area | |
| • Municipality and town | 1,103 sq mi (2,857 km2) |
| Population (2014 Census)[1] | |
| • Municipality and town | 126,631 |
| • Density | 110/sq mi (44/km2) |
| • Urban | 28,831 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| Climate | Cwb |
History
Before 1975 the main town was known as "Nova Sintra".[5] On 20 February 1996, the Forças Armadas de Angola (FAA) attacked a UNITA garrison in Lisusu, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Catabola.[6] It was captured along with towns such as Andulo, Bailundo, Camapuca and Chiguar during the FAA Christmas Offensive of December 1999.[7][8] Numerous local government officials and sympathizers of the government were killed during the attack.[7]