a province of the kingdom of Angola in Africa. It is an island about 15 miles in length, and three in breadth; remarkable chiefly for the capital of Angola situated upon it, in E. Long. 12° 25'. S. Lat. 8° 45'. This town was built by the Portuguese in 1578, under the direction of the first Portuguese governor in these parts. It is large, populous, and pleasantly seated on the declivity of a hill near the sea-coast, and facing the south-west. The island is supplied with fresh water from wells dug in it; and which are not sunk below the depth of three feet when they are filled with excellent water. It is remarkable, however, that the water of these wells continues good only during the time of high-tide; for, as that sinks, the water becomes more and more brackish, till at last it is quite salt, almost as much as the sea itself. On the coast of this island are fished the zimbis, or shells used in several parts of Africa, instead of money; and with these shells, instead of coin, is carried on a great part of the traffic of this country.