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Angola
Physical. Angola is located in Southern Africa between Namibia and
Democratic Republic of the Congo, and bordering on the South Atlantic Ocean. It
covers an area slightly less that twice the size of Texas. The climate is
semiarid in the south and along the coast up to Luanda, while the north has a
cool, dry season (May to October) followed by a hot, rainy season (November to
April). The terrain is a narrow coastal plain that rises sharply to a large
plateau in the interior. Natural resources include petroleum, diamonds, iron
ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite and uranium.
People. Over 12.1 million people live in Angola. The official language
is Portuguese although Bantu and many African languages are spoken. Major ethnic
groups include Ovimbundu (37%), Kimbundu (25%), and Bakongo(13%). Indigenous
beliefs are held by most of the population (47%), followed by Roman Catholics
(38%) and Protestants (15%). Religious percentages are a 1998 estimate.)
Government. The country's official name is the Republic of Angola. Its
capital, Luanda, is located on the northern coast. Angola is ostensibly a
multiparty democracy, but the role of president is very powerful. Angola won
independence from Portugal in 1975, but this independence was followed by 27
years of civil war that did not end until 2002 with the death of Jonas Savimbi.
(Elections were held in 1992 but the National Union for the Total Independence
of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas Savimbi, renewed fighting when they lost.) The
Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, has pledged to hold
new elections in 2006.
Economy. Angola's high growth rate, postwar reconstruction boom and
resettlement of displaced persons are powered by its oil sector. Oil production
makes up 90% of exports. The country's infrastructure is still widely damaged or
undeveloped due to the 27-year-long civil war. Half of the country's food is
imported, though subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for half
of the population. The government and central bank have initiated projects to
rebuild infrastructure and stabilize inflation. (Consumer inflation declined
from 325% in 2000 to about 18% in 2005.)
Areas of Concern. Environmental problems (deforestation, soil desertification,
water pollution) are the result of population pressures. Widespread land mines
still pose a threat. Continuing reform of government policies and to reducing
corruption are necessary before Angola can develop its rich national
resources—gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil
deposits.
For more information, you may write to the chancery at 2108 16th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20009; check the U.S. State Department or World Factbook country
sites; or type in the country's name on the Internet using a broad-based World
Wide Web search engine.
Angola statistics
Geography
Area: 1,246,700 sq km
Capital: Luanda (4.5 million -UN 2004 estimates)
Environmental concerns: overuse leading to soil erosion; desertification;
deforestation of tropical rain forest; water pollution and silting of rivers and
dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Geographical features: narrow coastal plain that rises rapidly to large interior
plateau
Climate: semiarid in the south and along the coast up to Luanda while the north
has a cool, dry season (May to October) and a hot, rainy season (November to
April)
People
12,127,000 (July 2006 est.) Ovimbundu (37%), Kimbundu (25%), Bakongo(13%),
mestico (mixed European and native African - 2%), European (1%), other (22%)
Annual growth rate: 2.45% (2006 est.)
Major languages are Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Religions: indigenous beliefs (47%), Roman Catholic (38%), Protestant (15%)
(1998 est.)
Health and social issues
Life expectancies: male 37; female 40
Infant mortality: 185.36 deaths/1,000 live births
Population below the poverty line: 70% (2003 est.)
1 physician to 15,136 people (2004)
HIV/AIDS Rate in Adults: 3.9% (2003 est.)
66.8% of adults are literate
Compulsory education (Ages): 7-15; free (2004)
Communication and transportation
96,300 (2003) main telephone lines in use
172,000 (2005) Internet users
51,429 km of roadways
2,761 km railroads
243 (2005) airports
223,000 motor vehicles (2004)
Government
Angola is a republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong
presidential system.
The chief of state and head of government is President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos
(since 21 September 1979).
Universal suffrage at 18 years of age
Military
Military expenditures as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
8.8% (2005 est.).
Current disputes: many Cabinda exclave secessionists have sought shelter in
neighboring states
Economy
Currency: kwanza
Per capita GDP: $3,200 (2005 est.)
GDP: $45.93 billion (2005 est.)
GDP growth rate: 19.1% (2005 est.)
Inflation rate: 17.7% (2005 est.)
Labor force: agriculture (85%), industry and services (15%) (2003 est.)
Resources and industry
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar,
gold, bauxite, uranium
Agriculture: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca),
tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Industry: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium,
and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing,
brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair
Exports: $26.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports: $8.165 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Suggested web sites
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/angola
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/aotoc.html
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