or Dongo, a territory on the western coast of Africa, between 8° and 10° south latitude. It has Congo on the north; the South Atlantic Ocean on the west; Benguela on the south; and the African States of the interior on the east. It extends about 350 miles from east to west, and between 50 and 60 miles from north to south.

Angola is very mountainous, being destitute of plains except on the sea-shore, and some small plateaux on the sides or in the gorges of the mountains. It is well watered, and, with the exception of the sandy plains on the coast, is very fertile. Its principal rivers are the Coanza, which forms its boundary on the south; the Danda, which bounds it on the north; and the Benga. Here, as in all well-watered tropical countries, vegetation is most luxuriant: palms, the citron, orange, lemon, banana, cocoa, tamarind, mangrove, sugar-cane, vine, and indeed every species of tropical vegetation, is found in great abundance. Nor is the animal kingdom less prolific: all the animals common to inter-tropical Africa are found here, with some peculiar to this part of the country. The sheep, cow, and horse, have been imported from Europe. Its birds are very numerous, and among its reptiles are many of the most venomous. Of its mineral productions, lead, sulphur, petroleum and iron, are plentiful; gold and silver are found in the mountains, and copper is said to exist in the interior. The heat is moderate, and the climate mild and salubrious. Its population is estimated at between two and three millions.

The habitations of the natives are formed merely of straw, or rather of dried leafy plants, cemented by a framework of wooden stakes. Containing no aperture for the admission of light, they form not so properly houses, as dark dens for sleeping in, while the tenants spend the day and receive company in an open space in front, covered with a slight roof. The abodes of the grandees are in no respect superior, except that they consist of a number of these hovels grouped together, and inclosed by a hedge or earthen wall. A village or town consists merely of a cluster of these inclosures, separated by narrow and winding footpaths, and leaving extensive open spaces, which serve for markets or for scenes of recreation. A town in this country at a little distance resembles a wood, from the multitude of trees with which it is filled; but on a near approach its nature is soon detected by the fetid odour exhaling from its precincts.

Like other unenlightened tribes, the natives are deeply addicted to superstition; and it is remarked as a singular circumstance, that their idols do not present the negro visage, but one more nearly approaching to the European. From the slight description that is given, we should suspect the face to be Copt; nor does it seem improbable that the superstitions of Egypt may have found their way throughout the continent. The priests pretend to bestow rain, favourable winds, and various other blessings, upon those who have propitiated them by liberal gifts. Much use is made in criminal cases, of what our ancestors called "the judgments of God." The accused is made to swallow poison, to plunge into water, or to take in his hand burning coals, and, unless he escapes unhurt from these trials, is at once pronounced guilty. It seems reasonably concluded, that the priests who administer these tests contrive to secure immunity to their favourites, or to those who bestow upon them liberal donations.

Vessels destined for the coast of Angola, after reaching Cape Verde, have two routes by which they may proceed. They may take the short route by steering directly along the African coast, through the Gulf of Benin. If favoured by winds and currents, they may make this voyage very speedily; but in the event of these circumstances proving adverse, they are liable to great detention; and the navigation has even occupied eleven months. The other, called the long route, is performed by proceeding due south, and even south-west, till they pass the 20th degree of latitude, when a favourable wind and tide carries them directly eastward to the African coast. This route necessarily occupies a considerable time; but is liable to no vicissitude, and the period may be calculated almost to a day.

Angola was discovered in 1484 by Diego Cam, a Portuguese, and soon afterwards several settlements were established there by that government. When Portugal had possession of Brazil, an active slave-trade was carried on with this country; but at present the Portuguese derive little or no benefit from the possession of Angola. They have a governor at the chief town, St Paul de Loando, and possess a few decayed forts in the interior, but have little authority in the country. The principal exports are ivory and gum. (See Bowdich, Account of the Discoveries of the Portuguese in Angola, &c., 1824. G. Tams, Die Portugiesischen Besitzungen in Süd-West-Afrika. Hamburg, 1845.)