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| Geography |
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Republic of Angola is located in the South central Africa. It is surrounded by the Democratic republic of Congo in the North, Namibia in the South, Zambia towards the East and Atlantic Ocean towards the western coast. Towards the north Congo is also bordered by exclave of Cabinda. The coastline stretches upto 1600 km. It has narrow coastal plain that rises abruptly to vast interior plateau. Angola is rich in natural resources and especially in petroleum and Diamonds. Other major natural resources are iron ore, copper, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, phosphates, gold.
Angola is the twenty third largest country in the world. Luanda is the Capital city | | |
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| Climate |
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| The climate is semiarid in the south and along coast to Luanda.From May to October the climate is cool and dry in the north and from November to April it is hot and rainy. The average temperature on the coastline during summer is 21°C and 16°C during winter. |
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| History |
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Throughout the sixteenth century by a series of treaties and wars, the Portuguese formed the colony of Angola. For nearly five hundred years Portugal had a presence in Angola, and the population's initial reaction to calls for independence was mixed. The transitional government was formed and opened negotiations with the three main independentist guerrilla groups MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA, concluding separate peace agreements with each organization.
With Portugal out of the picture, the nationalist movements turned on each other, fighting for international recognition and control of Luanda. Holden Roberto, Agostinho Neto, and Jonas Savimbi met in Bukavu, Zaire in July and mutually agreed to negotiate with the Portuguese as one political entity. They met again in Mombasa, Kenya on January 5,1975 and agreed to stop fighting among each other, further defining the constitutional negotiations with the Portuguese.
Third time meeting was held in Alvor, Portugal from January 10 to15. Alvor Agreement was signed by Roberto, Neto, Savimbi, and the Portuguese government on January 15, setting November 11 as the date for independence. |
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| People |
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Total population in Angola is 12,263,596. The ethnic groups in Angola can be classified as Ovimbundu dominates 37% of the total population, Kimbundu with 25%, Bakongo with 13%, mestico who are basically mixed European and native African with 2%, European 1% and others 22%.
47% of the total population follows indigenous belief, 38% are Roman Catholic and 15% are Protestant. Official language of Angola is Spanish, other languages used to communicate are Bantu and other African languages.
Portuguese has ruled Angola for over 400 years and therefore share cultural aspects, be it the Spanish language or the main religion as Roman Catholic. |
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| Government |
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Angola follows a republic form of government and multiparty presidential regime. The President, the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, compose and forms the executive branch of the government. Currently, political power is concentrated in the Presidency. President is both Chief of state and head of the government and he appoints the council of ministers. The President is elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (under the 1992 constitution and is eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term.
The country is divided into 18 administrative provinces they are Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire. The president appoints the governor to these provinces.
The Constitution was adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992. The legal system is by People's Assembly 25 August 1992 which is modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets.
Prime Minsiter: Fernando da Piedade Dias Dos Santos
President: Jose Eduardo Dos Santos
Demonym: Angolan
Currency: Kwanza
Independence Day: 11 November 1975 |
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| Economy |
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Economy
Angola has witnessed high growth rate which is driven by its oil sector, with ever rising oil prices and rising petroleum production. The Oil production and its supporting activities have contributed to 85% of GDP. 85% of the labour force is into the agricultural sector and only 15% in the service and industrial sector. An extensive unemployment and underemployment is affecting more than half the population according to the 2001 estimates. 70% of the population lives below the poverty line.
The major agricultural products are sugarcane, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, coffee, vegetables, plantains, bananas, livestock, fish and forest products. The major industrial produce are petroleum, diamonds, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, gold, iron ore, phosphates, cement; basic metal products, food processing, brewing, tobacco products, textiles, ship repair, fish processing, sugar.
The export commodities that gets helps economy majorly are crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton, gas, coffee. And, major export partners are US, China, Taiwan, France and Chile. |
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