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Location
Southwest Africa.
Time
GMT + 1.
Area
1,246,700 sq km (481,354 sq miles).
Population
14.5 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
11.6 per sq km.
Capital
Luanda. Population: 2.8 million (2005 estimate).
Geography
Angola is bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, Namibia to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Mountains rise from the coast, levelling to a plateau which makes up most of the country. The country is increasingly arid towards the south; the far south is on the edge of the Namib Desert. The northern plateau is thickly vegetated. Cabinda is a small enclave to the north of Angola proper, surrounded by the territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Congo. The discovery of large oil deposits off the coast of the enclave has led to it becoming the centre of Angola’s foreign business interests. The oil industry is based primarily at Malongo.
Government
Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
Head of State
President José Eduardo dos Santos since 1979.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Fernando Dias dos Santos since 2002.
Recent History
Opposition to the Portuguese, who colonised Angola in the 15th Century, was relatively muted until the 1950s; when it did emerge, however, the divisions between the liberation movements laid the foundations for the civil war, which has consumed Angola for most of the past four decades.
In 1976, the Marxist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) formally achieved victory, although it never fully defeated the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), which, with South African support and the dominating leadership of Jonas Savimbi, sustained a continuous and effective guerrilla war in the south and centre of the country. Cold war politics contributed to this becoming Africa's longest civil war, with an estimated cost of 500,000 lives.
But in February 2002, Savimbi was killed during a clash with the Angolan army. Within weeks of his death, military leaders on both sides had signed a ceasefire, paving the way for a final political settlement. This was achieved within weeks and the people and government of Angola celebrated their first year of continuous peace for more than a quarter of a century in April 2003. Although there is still some sporadic fighting, notably between government forces and separatist groups in the oil-rich Cabinda enclave, most of the country has now embarked upon the monumental task of reconstruction.
Long-awaited presidential elections, the first since 1992, are scheduled for 2009. In preparation, a package of electoral laws was approved in April 2005, although a new constitution, already six years under debate, has not yet been finalised. It is possible that local government elections, the first ever, might take place in 2008, although no final decision has been taken.
In 1976, the Marxist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) formally achieved victory, although it never fully defeated the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), which, with South African support and the dominating leadership of Jonas Savimbi, sustained a continuous and effective guerrilla war in the south and centre of the country. Cold war politics contributed to this becoming Africa's longest civil war, with an estimated cost of 500,000 lives.
But in February 2002, Savimbi was killed during a clash with the Angolan army. Within weeks of his death, military leaders on both sides had signed a ceasefire, paving the way for a final political settlement. This was achieved within weeks and the people and government of Angola celebrated their first year of continuous peace for more than a quarter of a century in April 2003. Although there is still some sporadic fighting, notably between government forces and separatist groups in the oil-rich Cabinda enclave, most of the country has now embarked upon the monumental task of reconstruction.
Long-awaited presidential elections, the first since 1992, are scheduled for 2009. In preparation, a package of electoral laws was approved in April 2005, although a new constitution, already six years under debate, has not yet been finalised. It is possible that local government elections, the first ever, might take place in 2008, although no final decision has been taken.
Language
The official language is Portuguese. African languages (Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo and Chokwe being the most common) are spoken by the majority of the population.
Religion
Mainly Roman Catholic (51%). There are also other Christian minorities. Local animist beliefs are held by a significant minority.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the European-style round two-pin type.
Social Conventions
Normal social courtesies should be observed. Drug trafficking or carrying incurs severe penalties. Homosexuality is illegal.
Photography: It is inadvisable to photograph public places, public buildings or public events. Copies of photography permits should be deposited with your embassy; permits should be carried at all times.
Photography: It is inadvisable to photograph public places, public buildings or public events. Copies of photography permits should be deposited with your embassy; permits should be carried at all times.
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