Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/80

 Angola is also rich in mineral resources, chief amongst which are the extensive copper ores.

The chief cultivated plants are those which yield alimentary substances for the local consumption. Manioc, which is grown principally in the northern districts of Angola, is replaced in the southern provinces by maize, millet, and sorgho. The European fruits and vegetables, as well as the Chinese tea plant, have also been introduced, and thrive well at least in the upland valleys. Since the year 1840 potatoes have been grown by the Biẖenos in the region forming the great divide between the Cuanza, Kwango, and Cunene basins. The coast towns are generally surrounded by gardens, the umbrageous arimos of Loanda being

rivalled by the more productive hortas of Mossamedes. Even the vine has been planted in some districts, and tobacco, cotton, and ground-nuts are also included amongst the products of the country. Mossamedes cultivates the sugar-cane, which serves chiefly for the distillation of spirits. But the staple agricultural product is certainly the coffee berry. Since the middle of the present century this industry has acquired a rapid development not only in the Cazengo district, but also throughout the basin of the Lu-culla and all its affluents.

Stockbreeding has but slight economic importance on the coastlands. Between the Congo and Cuanza estuaries there are no herds of horned cattle, and the attempts made in many places to raise oxen, horses or mules have resulted in