2004 Edition

Background

Angola has begun to enjoy the fruits of peace since 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. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold national elections in 2006.

Area

land

1,246,700 sq km

total

1,246,700 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Coastline

1,600 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Morro de Moco 2,620 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

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

Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

border countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of

total

5,198 km

Land use

arable land

2.41%

other

97.35% (2001)

permanent crops

0.24%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Natural resources

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

Terrain

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,410,326; female 2,363,368) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,998,892; female 2,897,837) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 137,340; female 170,789) (2004 est.)

Birth rate

45.14 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate

25.86 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups

Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

21,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

240,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

179.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

male

204.97 deaths/1,000 live births

total

192.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Life expectancy at birth

female

37.55 years (2004 est.)

male

36.06 years

total population

36.79 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

28% (1998 est.)

male

56%

total population

42%

Major infectious diseases

typhoid fever, malaria, trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis

overall degree of risk

very high (2004)

Median age

female

18.1 years (2004 est.)

male

18.1 years

total

18.1 years

Nationality

adjective

Angolan

noun

Angolan(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population

10,978,552 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate

1.93% (2004 est.)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)

Sex ratio

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

6.33 children born/woman (2004 est.)

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

Capital

Luanda

Constitution

11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992; note - new constitution has not yet been approved

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Angola

conventional short form

Angola

former

People's Republic of Angola

local long form

Republica de Angola

local short form

Angola

Diplomatic representation from the US

Luanda), Luanda

20521-2550

FAX: [244] (2) 446-924

chief of mission

Ambassador Christopher William DELL

embassy

number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of

mailing address

international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;

pouch

American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC

telephone

[244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224

Diplomatic representation in the US

FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258

chancery

2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI

consulate(s) general

Houston and New York

telephone

[1] (202) 785-1156

Executive branch

September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

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

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)

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

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21

election results

DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a

elections

president elected by universal ballot for a NA-year term;

head of government

President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21

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)

Government type

republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system

Independence

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets

Legislative branch

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

others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7

election results

percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%,

elections

last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA)

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Political parties and leaders

Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed

Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA], 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]

but only won a few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly

leadership

Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the

note

about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections

Political pressure groups and leaders

Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE]

struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province

note

FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

million (2003 est.)

expenditures

$6.012 billion, including capital expenditures of $963

revenues

$4.874 billion

Currency

kwanza (AOA)

Currency code

AOA

Current account balance

$-475 million (2003)

Debt - external

$9.164 billion (2003 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$383.5 million (1999)

Economy - overview

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 and to reduce corruption. 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 supported 7% GDP growth in 2003.

Electricity - consumption

1.348 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

1.45 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates

kwanza per US dollar - 74.6063 (2003), 43.5302 (2002), 22.0579 (2001), 10.041 (2000), 2.791 (1999), 0.393 (1998); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value

Exports

$9.669 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 47.7%, China 23.4%, Taiwan 8%, France 7.4% (2003)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $20.42 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

8%

industry

67%

services

25% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.5% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

$4.08 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Portugal 18.2%, South Africa 12.4%, US 12.2%, Netherlands 11.6%, France 6.5%, Brazil 6.1%, UK 4.2% (2003) Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: $638.4 million (2003)

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2000)

Industries

petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

76.6% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

31.7% of GDP (2003)

Labor force

5.57 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Natural gas - consumption

530 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

530 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

79.57 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption

31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

742,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

5.691 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line

70% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Internet country code

.ao

Internet hosts

17 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

41,000 (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)

Radios

815,000 (2000)

Telephone system

and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links

tropospheric scatter

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

domestic

limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and

general assessment

telephone service limited mostly to government

international

country code - 244; satellite earth stations - 2

Telephones - main lines in use

96,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

130,000 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

6 (2000)

Televisions

196,000 (2000)

Airports

244 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5

over 3,047 m

4

total

32

under 914 m

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95

over 3,047 m

2

total

211

under 914 m

80 (2004 est.)

Highways

paved

5,349 km

total

51,429 km

unpaved

46,080 km (1999)

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries

4 (2004 est.)

total

7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 26,123 GRT/42,879 DWT

Pipelines

gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km; oil 837 km; refined products 56 km (2004)

Ports and harbors

Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Namibe (Mocamedes), Porto Amboim, Soyo

Railways

narrow gauge

2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2003)

total

2,761 km

Waterways

1,300 km (2004)

Military branches

Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Air and Air Defense Forces (FANA)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$265.1 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.9% (2003)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

2,620,219 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

1,317,328 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation

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

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

113,103 (2004 est.)

Disputes - international

continues to give shelter to refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo while many Angolan refugees and Cabinda exclave secessionists reside in neighboring states

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 @Anguilla

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 40,000 - 60,000 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2004)