Angola

Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola

transitional government, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential systemIndependence 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

Angola as the 2001 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 117 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalLuanda

Position12 30 S, 18 30 E

Area1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km

LocationSouthern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Populationas each edition published it

10.37 million July 2001 est. · 8.53m in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.15% 2001 est. · 2.67% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 18.2 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

38.59 years 2001 est. · 45.26 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

6.48 children per woman 2001 est. · 6.7 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

193.72 deaths per 1,000 live births 2001 est. · 158 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$1,000 2000 est. · $950 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

4.9% 2000 est. · 1.7% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Civil war has been the norm in Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the government and armed forces. A national unity government was installed in April of 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, rendering hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century.

Geography

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

18 fields

Coastline

1,600km

contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Irrigated land

750sq km

(1993 est.)

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km

Land boundaries

total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 220 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 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)

Terrain

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m

Natural resources

petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium

Land use

arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 23% forests and woodland: 43% other: 32% (1993 est.)

Natural hazards

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Environment - current issues

overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures;
desertification;
deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity;
soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams;
inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

Cabinda is separated from rest of country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

People

18 fields

Population

10,366,031

(July 2001 est.)growth rate: 2.15% (2001 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2001 est.)

Birth

46.54Death

24.68Net migration

-0.34

Ethnic groups

Ovimbundu 37%Kimbundu 25%Bakongo 13%mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%European 1%other 22%

Religions(1998 est.)

indigenous beliefs 47%Roman Catholic 38%Protestant 15% (1998 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2.78%

(1999 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.31% (male 2,266,870; female 2,222,262) 15-64 years: 53.98% (male 2,847,089; female 2,748,091) 65 years and over: 2.71% (male 127,798; female 153,921) (2001 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate

193.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 38.59 years male: 37.36 years female: 39.87 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.48 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

160,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

15,000 (1999 est.)

Nationality

noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan

Languages

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% (1998 est.)

Government

Transitional government, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system; President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979)

20 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

54%

MPLA 54%UNITA 34%others 12%

National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional, 220 seatsone dot, one seat

MPLA 129UNITA 70PRS 6FNLA 5PLD 3others 7

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola

Government type

transitional government, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system

Capital

Luanda

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

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Constitution

11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992

Legal system

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979);
note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979);
note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary;
the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election;
the civil war resumed

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%;
seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the president)

Political parties and leaders

Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA];
National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO];
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Jonas SAVIMBI], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance;
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS] ruling party in power since 1975;
Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO];
UNITA-Renovada [Eugenio NGOLO "Manuvakola", leader] note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but won few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly

Political pressure groups and leaders

Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI chancery: 1615 M Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156

FAX

[1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumeddienne, Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6484, Luanda;
pouch:
American Embassy Luanda,
Department of State,
Washington,
DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (2) 345-481,
346-418

FAX

[244] (2) 346-924

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

Economy

Angola is an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare.

32 fields

Real growth rate

4.9%

(2000 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

325%

(2000 est.)

Labor force

5million

(1997 est.)

Debt - external

$10.8billion

(2000 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

54%

13%

14%

South Korea

16%

Portugal

15%

11%

Benelux

South Africa

10%

France

China

Taiwan

Exports $7.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)Imports $2.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)(1999)

Electricity

Electricity production

1.475 billion (1999)Electricity consumption

1.372 billion (1999)

Economy - overview

Angola is an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare. Despite its abundant natural resources, output per capita is among the world's lowest. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 45% to GDP and 90% of exports.

Violence continues, millions of land mines remain, and many farmers are reluctant to return to their fields. As a result, much of the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage of its rich resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to end its conflict and continue reforming government policies.

Despite the increase in the pace of civil warfare in late 1998, the economy grew by an estimated 5% in 2000. The government introduced new currency denominations in 1999, including 1 and 5 kwanza notes. Internal strife discourages investment outside of the petroleum sector, which is producing roughly 800,000 barrels of oil per day.

Angola has entered into a Staff Monitored Program (SMP) with the IMF. Continued growth depends on sharp cuts in inflation, further economic reform, and a lessening of fighting.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $10.1 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 7% industry: 60% services: 33% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate

extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2000 est.)

Budget

revenues: $928 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992 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

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 32.2% hydro: 67.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Agriculture - products

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

Exports

$7.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton

Imports

$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods

Economic aid - recipient

$493.1 million (1995)

Currency

kwanza (AOA)

Currency code

AOA

Exchange rates

kwanza per US dollar - 17,910,800 (January 2001), 10,041,000 (2000), 2,790,706 (1999), 392,824 (1998), 229,040 (1997), 128,029 (1996);
note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

10 fields

Mobile cellular

7,052

(1997)

Internet users

(2000)

Fixed lines

62,000

(1997) · country code .ao

Telephone system

general assessment:: telephone service limited mostly to government and business use;
HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 34, FM 7, shortwave 9 (1999)

Radios

630,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

7 (1999)

Televisions

150,000 (1997)

Internet users

12,000 (1999)

Transportation

9 fields

Networkskm

Railways

2,771 (2000)Waterways

1,295

Railways: (inland, much of the track is unusable because of land mines still in place from the civil war) narrow gauge: 2,648 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge

Railways

total: 2,771 km (inland, much of the track is unusable because of land mines still in place from the civil war) narrow gauge: 2,648 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2000)