Angola

File:Angolan-National-Anthem- US-Navy-Band.ogg

Angola (orthographic projection)

Location Angola AU Africa

Angola - Location Map (2013) - AGO - UNOCHA

Jean Roy de Congo

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola (Portuguese: República de Angola), is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa, bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Angola has an exclave province, the province of Cabinda, which borders the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The capital and largest city of Angola is Luanda.

History

The area of present-day Angola was inhabited by Khoisan speakers until the late first millennium BC, followed by migration by Bantu peoples. It was first encountered by Europeans in the 16th century, and it became a significant Portuguese trading area, primarily for slaves. After a protracted anti-colonial struggle, Angola gained independence from Portugal on November 11, 1975. Almost immediately, the country descended into a long civil war between the ruling MPLA and the insurgent forces of UNITA, which lasted until 2002.

Geography

Angola is divided into 18 provinces and covers an area of 1,246,700 square kilometers. The country's landscape varies considerably, ranging from the coastal lowlands to the high plateaus and mountains in the interior. The climate is predominantly tropical.

Economy

Angola's economy is one of the fastest-growing in the world, thanks to its vast natural resources. The country is a major exporter of oil, with the petroleum sector accounting for the majority of its revenue. Diamonds are also a significant export. However, the wealth is unevenly distributed, and a large portion of the population remains in poverty. Agriculture and other traditional sectors have struggled to recover from the long civil war.

Culture

Angolan culture reflects centuries of Portuguese influence, including the Portuguese language, which is the official language. The country has a rich tradition in the arts, especially in music genres such as Kizomba, Semba, and Kuduro. Literature and sports, particularly football, are also integral parts of Angolan society.

Demographics

Angola has a population of approximately 31 million people, comprising various ethnic groups. The Ovimbundu, Ambundu, and Bakongo are the largest ethnic groups. While Portuguese is the official language, several Bantu languages are also widely spoken.

Government and Politics

Angola is a unitary presidential republic. The President of Angola serves as both the head of state and the head of government, and the country has a multi-party system. The political landscape has been dominated by the MPLA since independence.

Challenges

Despite its rich natural resources, Angola faces several challenges, including economic inequality, a need for improved healthcare and education systems, and the need to diversify its economy beyond oil and diamonds.

See Also

• History of Angola
• Geography of Angola
• Economy of Angola
• Culture of Angola
• Demographics of Angola
• Politics of Angola