CABINDA

also spelled Kabinda, northern exclave of Angola, on the west (Atlantic) coast of Africa north of the Congo River estuary. It is bordered by Congo (Brazzaville) to the north and northeast and is separated from Angola by part of Congo (Kinshasa) to the south and southeast. Its coastline extends for 56 miles (90 km) and its greatest width is 70 miles (113 km). With continued offshore oil discoveries, crude oil has become Cabinda's dominant export. The production of timber, palm oil and kernels, cocoa, and coffee has declined since the rise of the local oil industry. The chief town, Cabinda, is an oil port on the right bank of the Bele (Lulondo) River. From the mid-1970s the region was disrupted by guerrilla activities of the Front for the Liberation of the Cabinda Enclave, which was fighting for Cabindan independence from Angola. Area 2,807 square miles (7,270 square km). Pop. (1996 est.) 199,000.