Lobito

Lobito, city and port in western Angola, in Benguela District on Lobito Bay (an arm of the Atlantic Ocean), near the city of Benguela. With what is considered to be one of the finest natural harbours on the western African coast, consisting of a deep-water bay protected by a sandspit, the city is the ocean terminus of the important Benguela Railway, which carries the mineral wealth of the southern Congo and northern Zambia. Lobito exports copper, tin, cobalt, manganese, uranium, and zinc from the mines. Exports from central Angola include iron, sisal, cotton, coffee, sugar, grains, beeswax, hides and skins, and salt. The port has complete oil- and coal-bunkering facilities. Local plants process sugar, rice, and castor oil, and manufacture cement. Population 150,000 (1983 estimate).