Legend:  Definition
 Field
Listing  Rank
Order
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Background:
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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. The death of
insurgent leader Jonas SAVIMBI in 2002 and a subsequent cease-fire
with UNITA may bode well for the country. |
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Location:
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Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia
and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
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Geographic coordinates:
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12 30 S, 18 30 E |
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Map references:
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Africa
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Area:
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total: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1,246,700 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly less than twice the size of Texas |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 5,198 km
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
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Coastline:
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1,600 km |
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Maritime claims:
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contiguous zone: 24 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry
season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
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Terrain:
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narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,
bauxite, uranium |
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Land use:
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arable land: 2.41%
permanent crops: 0.4%
other: 97.19% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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750 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau |
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Environment - current issues:
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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 |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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Geography - note:
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the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of
the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Population:
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10,766,471 (July 2003 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,363,829; female 2,317,610)
15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,941,999; female 2,842,923)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 134,330; female 165,780) (2003
est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 18.2 years
male: 18.2 years
female: 18.2 years (2002) |
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Population growth rate:
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1.97% (2003 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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45.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Death rate:
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25.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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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: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 193.82 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 180.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 206.26 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 36.96 years
male: 36.13 years
female: 37.83 years (2003 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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6.38 children born/woman (2003 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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5.5% (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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350,000 (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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24,000 (2001 est.) |
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Nationality:
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noun: Angolan(s)
adjective: Angolan |
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Ethnic groups:
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Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European
and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% |
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Religions:
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indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998
est.) |
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Languages:
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Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 42%
male: 56%
female: 28% (1998 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Angola
conventional short form: Angola
local short form: Angola
former: People's Republic of Angola
local long form: Republica de Angola |
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Government type:
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republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential
system |
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Capital:
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Luanda |
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Administrative divisions:
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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 |
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Independence:
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11 November 1975 (from Portugal) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 11 November (1975) |
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Constitution:
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11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March
1991, and 26 August 1992 |
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Legal system:
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based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently
modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of
free markets |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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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; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was
appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not a position
of real power
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by universal ballot for a NA-year
term; 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
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Legislative branch:
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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 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the
president) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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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 [interim leader: PAULO Lukamba "Gato"], 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]
note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992
elections but only won a few seats and have little influence in
the National Assembly |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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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 |
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International organization participation:
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ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),
ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN,
UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258
consulate(s) general: Houston and New York
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156
chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELL
embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar
area of Luanda), Luanda
mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;
pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington,
DC 20521-2550
telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224
FAX: [244] (2) 446-924 |
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Flag description:
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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)
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Economy - overview:
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Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter century
of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace was established
after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI on February 22, 2002,
but consequences from the conflict continue including the impact
of wide-spread land mines. 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 more than half of exports. Much of the country's
food must still be imported. To fully take advantage of its rich
natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic
fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue
reforming government policies. While Angola made progress in bringing
inflation down further, from 325% in 2000 to about 106% in 2002,
the government has failed to make sufficient progress on reforms
recommended by the IMF such as increasing foreign exchange reserves
and promoting greater transparency in government spending. Increased
oil production should bring about 6% GDP growth in 2003. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $18.36 billion (2002 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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9.4% (2002 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 8%
industry: 67%
services: 25% (2001 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage
share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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106% (2002 est.) |
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Labor force:
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5 million (1997 est.) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.) |
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Unemployment rate:
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extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half
the population (2001 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $928 million
expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures
of $963 million (1992 est.) |
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Industries:
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petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium,
and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing;
brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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1% |
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Electricity - production:
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1.45 billion kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 36.4%
hydro: 63.6%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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1.348 billion kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2001) |
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Oil - production:
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742,400 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - exports:
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NA (2001) |
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Oil - imports:
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NA (2001) |
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Oil - proved reserves:
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5.691 billion bbl (37257) |
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Natural gas - production:
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530 million cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - consumption:
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530 million cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - imports:
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0 cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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79.57 billion cu m (37257) |
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Agriculture - products:
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bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca),
tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
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Exports:
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$8.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal,
fish and fish products, timber, cotton |
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Exports - partners:
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US 41.2%, China 13.7%, France 8%, Belgium 6.3%, Taiwan 6.3%, Japan
4.9%, Spain 4.3% (2002) |
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Imports:
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$4.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines,
food, textiles, military goods |
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Imports - partners:
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Portugal 20.2%, US 13.9%, South Africa 12.4%, France 6.7%, Brazil
5.8%, Belgium 5.3%, Netherlands 4% (2002) |
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Debt - external:
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$9.9 billion (2002 est.) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$383.5 million (1999) |
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Currency:
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kwanza (AOA) |
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Currency code:
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AOA |
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Exchange rates:
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kwanza per US dollar - 43.53 (2002), 22.06 (2001), 10.04 (2000),
2.79 (1999), 0.39 (1998); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was
revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value |
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Railways:
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total: 2,761 km
narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge
(2002) |
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Highways:
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total: 51,429 km
paved: 5,349 km
unpaved: 46,080 km (1999) |
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Waterways:
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1,295 km |
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Pipelines:
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gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km;
oil 845 km; refined products 56 km (2003) |
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Ports and harbors:
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Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, Porto
Amboim, Soyo |
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Merchant marine:
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total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,311 GRT/48,924 DWT
ships by type: cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.) |
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Airports:
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243 (2002) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 32
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2002) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 211
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 30
914 to 1,523 m: 95
under 914 m: 80 (2002)
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This page was last updated on 18 December,
2003
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