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The World Factbook 2002
| Angola |

Introduction | Angola

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. The death of Jonas SAVIMBI and a cease fire with UNITA may bode well for the country.

Geography | Angola

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 water: 0 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km
Area - comparative: | slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: | 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
Coastline: | 1,600 km
Maritime claims: | contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
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: 1% other: 97% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: | 750 sq km (1998 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, Ship Pollution 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 | Angola

Population: | 10,593,171 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: | 0-14 years: 43.3% (male 2,318,326; female 2,272,726) 15-64 years: 53.9% (male 2,904,595; female 2,806,430) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 131,316; female 159,778) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: | 2.18% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: | 46.18 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: | 24.35 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: | 191.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 38.87 years female: 40.18 years (2002 est.) male: 37.62 years
Total fertility rate: | 6.43 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | 2.78% (1999 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
Ethnic groups: | Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions: | indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
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 | Angola

Country name: | 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
Government type: | republic, 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 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

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"]
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

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, 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 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: New York telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 chancery: 2100 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELL embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumeddienne, 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, 445-727 FAX: [244] (2) 446-924
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

Economy - overview:

Angola is an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare. 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 natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to end its conflict and continue reforming government policies. Internal strife discourages investment outside of the petroleum sector, which is producing roughly 800,000 barrels of oil per day. While Angola made progress in bringing inflation down further, from over 300% in 2000 to about 110% in 2001, 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. Angola's GDP could be among the world's fastest growing in 2002 if oil production from the Girassol field, which began production in December 2001, reaches 200,000 barrels per day as expected.

GDP: | purchasing power parity - $13.3 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: | 5.4% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: | purchasing power parity - $1,330 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 6% industry: 70% services: 24% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: | NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 110% (2001 est.)
Labor force: | 5 million (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: | extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 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
Industrial production growth rate: | NA%
Electricity - production: | 1.19 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: | fossil fuel: 40.34% hydro: 59.66% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: | 1.107 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: | 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: | 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: | bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Exports: | $7 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Exports - commodities: | crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
Exports - partners: | US 44.5%, EU 17.3%, China 22.7%, South Korea 8.1% (2000)
Imports: | $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Imports - commodities: | machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Imports - partners: | EU 47.4%, South Korea 16%, South Africa 15.9%, US 11.3%, Brazil 5.5% (2000)
Debt - external: | $10.4 billion (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: | $383.5 million (1999)
Currency: | kwanza (AOA)
Currency code: | AOA
Exchange rates: | kwanza per US dollar - 32.8716 (January 2002), 22.058 (2001), 10.041 (2000), 2.791 (1999), 0.393 (1998), 0.229 (1997); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value
Fiscal year: | calendar year

Communications | Angola

Telephones - main lines in use: | 69,700 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: | 25,800 (2000)
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 36, FM 7, shortwave 9 (2000)
Radios: | 815,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations: | 7 (2000)
Televisions: | 196,000 (2000)
Internet country code: | .ao
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): | 1 (2000)
Internet users: | 30,000 (2001)

Transportation | Angola

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 est.)
Highways: | total: 76,626 km paved: 19,156 km unpaved: 57,470 km (1997)
Waterways: | 1,295 km
Pipelines: | crude oil 179 km
Ports and harbors: | Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo
Merchant marine: | total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 39,305 GRT/63,528 DWT ships by type: cargo 8, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Airports: | 244 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: | total: 32 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: | total: 212 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 80 (2001)

Military | Angola

Military branches: | Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force
Military manpower - military age: | 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability: | males age 15-49: 2,532,469 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: | males age 15-49: 1,272,509 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: | males: 103,807 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: | $1.2 billion (FY97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: | 22% (1999)

Transnational Issues | Angola

Disputes - international: | none
Illicit drugs: | used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states

This page was last updated on 1 January 2002