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Angola

The Republic of Angola is situated in south-central Africa. It shares its border with Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north-east, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west. The exclave of Cabinda shares its border with Republic of the Congo to the north. It is the second fastest growing economy in Africa. Angola ranks one of the 10 most corrupt countries in the world in 2005.

HISTORY:- Khoisan people were the first known inhabitants of Angola. Later Bantu tribes invaded the land and replaced the Khoisan hunters. From the name of the King of Ndongo- Ngola, the name of the land was derived. In the 15th century, Portuguese came to the land. In 1575 they set up a colony in Cabinda. Angola had become a source of slaves for Brazil, Portugal’s new colony. In 1641, the Dutch had captured Luanda but had to give it back to the Portuguese in 1648. The Portuguese started expanding their colonial territory. Portuguese ruled for nearly 500 years over Angola. After the World War II, Portuguese military forces suppressed the independence movements. Finally after 14 years of war, Angola was granted independence from Portugal in 1975. The leader of independence movement- the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) took the charge of the government. But the conflict between the anti communist- National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and Marxist MPLA, led to the civil war. In 2002, UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi was killed and a cease-fire deal was signed to end 30years civil war.

GEOGRAPHY:- Angola is located at 12 30 S, 18 30 E in Southern Africa, capturing total 1,246,700 sq km land area. The coast line is 1600 km long along with the South Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Morro de Moco (2,620 m). The land is composed of narrow, dry coastal plains, which rise to huge plateau in the interior. Savanna can be seen in the east and south. Rain forest lies in the northern part and in the enclave of Cabinda. The province of Cabinda is separated by a strip from the rest of Angola.

CLIMATE:- mostly tropical climate reigns in the land. Semiarid climate is seen in the south and in the coastal area of Luanda. Northern region is cool and dry from May to October and hot and rainy from November to April.

GOVERNMENT:- Angola is Presidential republican country. The constitution was adopted on 25th August 1992, by the People’s assembly. The three branches of the government are:

Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), cabinet (Council of Ministers appointed by the President).

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Assembly (220 seats)

Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and other small provincial courts.

Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) is the government. Other opposition parties are National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, Social Renewal Party, National Front for the Liberation of Angola, Party for Democratic Progress - Angola National Alliance, Democratic Renewal Party, Party of the Alliance of Youth, Workers, and Peasants, Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Alliance, Angolan Democratic Forum, Social Democratic Party, Front for Democracy, and the Angolan National Democratic Party. Suffrage is universal at and above 18.

President José E. dos Santos

Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Angola can bi divided into 18 provinces and 163 munipalities.

CULTURE:- Angola’s culture was originally derived form the Bantu kingdom. Later Portuguese influenced it a lot. It is basically a mixed culture.

ECONOMY:- Angola’s economy is mainly driven by its oil production. Only Oil production and its allied activities earn 85% of GDP. It is member of OPEC.

GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $80.95 billion; per capita $6,500.

Real growth rate: 16.3%.

Inflation: 12.5%.

Unemployment: underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.).

Arable land: 2.65%.

Agriculture: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish.

Labor force: 6.573 million; agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (2007 est.).

Industries: 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.

Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium.

Exports: $43.23 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton.

Imports: $11.41 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods.

Budget:

Revenues: $18.58 billion

Expenditures: $15.7 billion (2007 est.)

Public debt: 14.7% of GDP (2007 est.)

Major trading partners: U.S., China, Taiwan, France, Chile (2006)

Monetary unit: New Kwanza

LANGUAGE:- Portuguese is the official language, but Kongo, Chokwe, South Mbundu, Mbundu are recognized regional languages.

CITIES:- Capital Luanda is the largest city. Other large cities are Huambo, and Lubango.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of Angola is 12,263,596 with the growth rate of 2.2%.

Density per sq mi: 25

Literacy rate: 67.4% (2001 est.)

RACE:-

Ovimbundu 37%

Kimbundu 25%

Bakongo 13%

Mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%

European 1%

Other 22%

RELIGION:-

Indigenous 47%

Roman Catholic 38%

Protestant 15% (1998 est.)

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 44.09 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 24.44 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 182.31 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 37.92 years

Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 21,000 (2003 est.)

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 41

UNICEF:- UNICEF with its partners has immunized 5 million children against polio and supplies vitamin A supplements, and insecticide-treated bed nets to fight malaria to over 2 million children, provides pure water to 40000 rural people. After having over 22000 HIV deaths, the government with UNICEF have made ‘fighting HIV’ a nationwide priority. They campaign against HIV, have trained 9500 teachers, have educated 600000 students to enrich the awareness. Apart from these, the government has taken policies of free birth registration, and school enrolment. UNICEF also educates 20000 teachers over mine risk.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: total: 2,761 km (2006).

Highways: total: 51,429 km; paved: 5,349 km; unpaved: 46,080 km (2001).

Waterways: 1,300 km (2007).

Ports and harbors: Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo.

Airports: 232 (2007).