| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Africa |
| Geographical Location |
12° 30' South Latitude
18° 30' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
1,246,700 sq km |
| Climate |
Semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) |
| Natural Resources |
Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium |
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| Political Information |
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| Country Name |
Republic of Angola |
| Capital City |
Luanda |
| Government Type |
Republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system |
| Administrative Divisions |
18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda,
Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire |
| Independence Day |
11 November 1975 (from Portugal) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
11,190,786 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Angolan |
| Ethnic Groups |
Ovimbundu 37% , Kimbundu 25% , Bakongo 13% , Mestico (mixed European and native African) 2% , European 1% , other 22% |
| Religion |
Indigenous beliefs 47% , Roman Catholic 38% , Protestant 15% (1998 Estimate) |
| Languages |
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages |
| Population Growth Rate |
1.9% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Kwanza (AOA) |
| 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 |
| Labor Force |
5.41 million (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 85% , industry and services 15% (2003 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish |
| Export Commodities |
Crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton |
| Export Partners |
US 39.8%, China 30.3%, Taiwan 8.1%, France 7.1% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods |
| Import Partners |
Portugal 18.4%, US 13.1%, South Africa 10.7%, Japan 6.9%, France 6.3%, Brazil 5.6%, UK 4.9%, China 4.5% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
2,761 km |
| Highways |
51,429 km |
| Pipelines |
Gas 214 km ; liquid natural gas 14 km ; liquid petroleum gas 30 km ; oil 837 km ; Refined products 56 km (2004) |
| Airports |
243 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+214 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.ao |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
Angola has begun to enjoy the fruits of peace since the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA),
led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975.
Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may
have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power.
DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold national elections in 2006. |
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