LOANGO, a country in the S.W. of Africa, stretching along the coasts of the Atlantic, between the equator and the River Zaire, bounded on the N. by Mayomba, and on the S. by Congo. Loango, the chief town, is in S. Lat. 4. 39. E. Long. 12. 17. Along the coasts the country is
flat, and of great fertility. In some places it is said to yield three harvests in the year. Little is known of the interior, but many of the mountain ranges are said to be very fertile. The lakes and rivers are richly stocked with fish; the forests abound with game; and, in some places, panthers, leopards, elephants, apes, and antelopes are to be found; but horses and cows do not thrive. The only minerals of importance are iron and copper. Palm trees, sugar-cane, maize, pulse, yams, and potatoes are the principal vegetable productions. In some places the climate is good, in others it is said to be very unhealthy; there is, on the whole, little rain, but dew falls in large quantities. The power of the king is of the most absolute description. His majesty resides in Loango, the capital; and although there are many chiefs in the country who have considerable influence, he is regarded as the supreme authority. The revenue is principally derived from the sale of slaves.