Angola

§1. Angola Introduction

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.

§2. Angola Geography

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 kmē
  land: 1,246,700 kmē
  water: 0 kmē

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 220 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: 0%
  permanent pastures: 23%
  forests and woodland: 43%
  other: 32% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:
  750 kmē (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

§3. Angola People

Population:
  10,366,031 (July 2001 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.)

Population growth rate:
  2.15% (2001 est.)

Birth rate:
  46.54 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate:
  24.68 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Net migration rate:
  -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (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 - 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.)

§4. Angola Government

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)

§5. Angola Economy

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 - real growth rate:
  4.9% (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%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  325% (2000 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 (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

Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%

Electricity - production:
  1.475 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source:
  fossil fuel: 32.2% hydro: 67.8%
  nuclear: 0%
  other: 0% (1999)

Electricity - consumption:
  1.372 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (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

Exports - partners:
  US 54%, South Korea 14%, Benelux 11%, China 7%, Taiwan 6% (1999)

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

Imports - commodities:
  machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines,
  food, textiles, military goods

Imports - partners:
  South Korea 16%, Portugal 15%, US 13%, South Africa 10%, France 8% (1999)

Debt - external:
  $10.8 billion (2000 est.)

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

§6. Angola Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
  62,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
  7,052 (1997)

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 country code:
  .ao

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
  1 (2000)

Internet users:
  12,000 (1999)

§7. Angola Transportation

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)

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/63,067 DWT
  ships by type: cargo 8, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)

Airports:
  247 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 31 over 3,047 m: 4
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
  914 to 1,523 m: 6
  under 914 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 216 over 3,047 m: 2
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 30
  914 to 1,523 m: 96
  under 914 m: 83 (2000 est.)

§8. Angola Military

Military branches:
  Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force

Military manpower - military age:
  18 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
  males age 15-49: 2,480,016 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
  males age 15-49: 1,246,224 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
  males: 103,807 (2001 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
  $1.2 billion (FY97)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
  22% (1999)

§9. Angola Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
  none

Illicit drugs:
  increasingly used as a transshipment point for cocaine and heroin destined
  for Western Europe and other African states
