Angola

Republic of AngolaRepublica de Angola

republicIndependence 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

Angola as the 2008 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 135 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, UTC+1
Position12 30 S, 18 30 E
Area1,246,700 sq km
LocationSouthern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Populationas each edition published it
12.53 million July 2008 est. · 8.53m in 1990
Population growth% a year
2.136% 2008 est. · 2.67% in 1993
Median ageyears
18 years 2008 est. · 18.2 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
37.92 years 2008 est. · 45.26 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
6.2 children per woman 2008 est. · 6.7 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
182.31 deaths per 1,000 live births 2008 est. · 158 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$7,800 2007 est. · $950 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
16.7% 2007 est. · 1.7% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Angola is rebuilding its country after 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. President DOS SANTOS has announced legislative elections will be held in September 2008, with presidential elections planned for sometime in 2009.

Geography

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

20 fields

Land useshare of 1,246,700 sq km

arable land 2.65%permanent crops 0.23%other 97.12% (2005)irrigated 800 sq km (2003)
Area
1,246,700sq km
land: 1,246,700 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Texas
Coastline
1,600km
territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Highest point
2,620m
Morro de Mocolowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Land boundaries
5,198km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

12 30 S, 18 30 E

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

Natural resources

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total:
0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%)
per capita:
22 cu m/yr (2000)

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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

People

21 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2008 est.)

151,609
65 and over2.7%
192,353
3,416,914
15-6453.6%
3,302,552
2,760,264
0-1443.6%
2,707,665
MaleFemale
Population
12,531,357
(July 2008 est.)growth rate: 2.136% (2008 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2008 est.)

Birth
44.09Death
24.44Net migration
1.72

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2008 est.)37.92
36.99 · 38.9Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)182.31
194.38 · 169.64
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2001 est.)67.4%
82.9% · 54.2%Median age years (2008 est.)18
18 · 18
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

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.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.79 male(s)/female
total population:
1.02 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.2 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

21,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk:
very high
food or waterborne diseases:
bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:
malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
water contact disease:
schistosomiasis (2008)

Nationality

noun:
Angolan(s)
adjective:
Angolan

Languages

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Education expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2005)

Government

Republic; President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

81.6%
MPLA 81.6%UNITA 10.4%PRS 3.2%ND 1.2%FNLA 1.1%other 2.5%last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012)

National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional, 220 seats, elected 5-6 September 2008one dot, one seat

MPLA 191UNITA 16PRS 8ND 2FNLA 3

Percent of vote

MPLA 81.6%UNITA 10.4%PRS 3.2%ND 1.2%FNLA 1.1%other 2.5%

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

republic; multiparty presidential regime

Capital

name:
Luanda
geographic coordinates:
8 50 S, 13 14 E
time difference:
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992

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); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections:
  • president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution;
  • 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 in 2009)
election results:
  • Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary;
  • the run-off was not held because SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election;
  • the civil war resumed leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012)
election results:
percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, ND 2, FNLA 3

Judicial branch

Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (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 between Ngola KABANGU and Lucas NGONDA];
  • National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party) [Isaias SAMAKUVA];
  • Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975) [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS];
  • Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA]

note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats; they and more than 100 other smaller parties 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]

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE
chancery:
2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
[1] (202) 785-1156
FAX:
[1] (202) 785-1258
consulate(s) general:
Houston, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Dan MOZENA
embassy:
number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda
mailing address:
international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550
telephone:
[244] (222) 64-1000
FAX:
[244] (222) 64-1232

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's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with record oil prices and rising petroleum production.

49 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$95.46billion
(2007 est.)official exchange rate: $61.36 billion (2007 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,800
(2007 est.)
Real growth rate
16.7%
(2007 est.)industrial production growth: 23.9% (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2007 est.)

agriculture 9.5%industry 65.8%services 24.6% (2007 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

32.1%
US
10.9%
32%
China
10.5%
Portugal
19.7%
Brazil
10.3%
4.5%
South Africa
6.6%
5.9%
France
6.3%
5.3%
Taiwan
UK
4.6%
Germany
4.3%
Exports $45.03 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)Imports $12.29 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)(2007)

Budget

Revenues
$20.18 billionExpenditures
$15.53 billion (2007 est.)

Electricity

Electricity production
3.513 billion (2006 est.)Electricity consumption
3.084 billion (2006 est.)

Economy - overview

Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with record oil prices and rising petroleum production. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well.

Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002.

Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006.

Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings;

it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2007, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted.

To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation.

Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola.

Labor force

7.148 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:
85%
industry and services:
15% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

9.1% of GDP (2007 est.)

Public debt

12% of GDP (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate

19.57% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

17.7% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$4.153 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$7.216 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.385 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products

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

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

Oil - production

1.91 million bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - consumption

55,640 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports

1.23 million bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

19,550 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves

9.035 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

680 million cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

680 million cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$13.58 billion (2007 est.)

Exports

$45.03 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Imports

$12.29 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external

$8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Currency (code)

kwanza (AOA)

Exchange rates

kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003)

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
3.307 million
(2007)
Internet users
3,562
(2008)
Fixed lines
98,200
(2006) · country code .ao

Telephone system

general assessment:
  • system inadequate;
  • fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons;
  • combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 25 telephones per 100 persons in 2007
domestic:
  • state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005;
  • demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor;
  • Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network;
  • Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns;
  • a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001
international:
  • country code - 244;
  • landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia;
  • satellite earth stations - 29 (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001)

Internet users

100,000 (2007)

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

5
over 3,047 m
2
8
2,438 to 3,047 m
5
12
1,524 to 2,437 m
30
5
914 to 1,523 m
95
1
under 914 m
69
Paved 31Unpaved 201

Networkskm

Roadways
51,429Railways
2,761Waterways
1,300 (2007)
Roadways: paved: 5,349 km · unpaved: 46,080 km (2001) · Railways: narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2006)

Airports

232 (2007)

Pipelines

gas 234 km; liquid petroleum gas 85 km; oil 896 km; oil/gas/water 5 km (2007)

Railways

total:
2,761 km
narrow gauge:
2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2006)

Roadways

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

Merchant marine

total:
6
by type:
cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned:
1 (Spain 1)
registered in other countries:
6 (Bahamas 6) (2008)

Ports and terminals

Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe

Military

Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Angolan National Air Force (FANA) (2007)

6 fields
Military expenditures
5.7%of GDP
(2006)

Military branches

Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Angolan National Air Force (FANA) (2007)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years plus time for training (2001)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49:
2,856,492
females age 16-49:
2,755,864 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49:
1,430,658
females age 16-49:
1,371,689 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male:
142,791
female:
139,539 (2008 est.)

Transnational Issues

3 fields

Disputes - international

Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin):
12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo)
IDPs:
61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007)

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Angola.” The World Factbook 2008. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/angola/2008.