2006 Edition

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.7% (male 2,678,185/female 2,625,933) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 3,291,954/female 3,195,688) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 148,944/female 186,367) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

244 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 5

total

31

under 914 m

1 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

total

213

under 914 m

81 (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

Background

Angola is slowly rebuilding its country after 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 legislative elections in 2006. Geography Angola

Birth rate

45.11 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$10 billion; including capital expenditures of $963 million (2005 est.)

revenues

$8.5 billion

Capital

geographic coordinates

8 48 S, 13 14 E

name

Luanda

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Constitution

11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992; note - a new constitution will likely be passed following the next legislative election

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

Currency (code)

kwanza (AOA)

Currency code

AOA

Current account balance

$4.054 billion (2005 est.)

Death rate

24.2 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$9.401 billion (2005 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Cynthia EFIRD

embassy

number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda

mailing address

international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;

pouch

US Embassy Luanda,US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550

telephone

[244] (222) 64-1000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITI

telephone

[1] (202) 785-1156

Disputes - international

many Cabinda exclave secessionists have sought shelter in neighboring states

Economic aid - recipient

$383.5 million (1999)

Economy - overview

Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with record oil prices and rising petroleum production. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about half of GDP and 90% of exports. Increased oil production supported 12% growth in 2004 and 19% growth in 2005. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for half of the population, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects are scheduled for completion by 2006. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation, a policy that was more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings, and has significantly reduced inflation. Consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to about 18% in 2005, but the stabilization policy places pressure on international net liquidity. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue reforming government policies and to reduce corruption. The government has made sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as promoting greater transparency in government spending but continues to be without a formal monitoring agreement with the institution.

Electricity - consumption

1.9 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - production

2.24 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

36.4%

hydro

63.6%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

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

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

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

Exchange rates

kwanza per US dollar - 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003), 43.53 (2002), 22.058 (2001)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Jose Eduardo 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 leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president

elections

president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; 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 September 2006 or 2007)

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

Exports

$26.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 39.8%, China 29.6%, France 7.8%, Chile 5.4%, Taiwan 4.4% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 785-1258

[244] (222) 64-1232

consulate(s) general

Houston, New York

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Angola

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

9.6%

industry

65.8%

services

24.6% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,800 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

19.9% (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$24.35 billion (2005 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$45.32 billion (2005 est.)

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 People Angola

Government type

republic; multiparty presidential regime

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.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

IDPs

40,000-60,000 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2005)

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006

Imports

$8.165 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Korea 20.8%, Portugal 13.6%, US 12.7%, South Africa 7.5%, Brazil 5.6%, France 5.3%, China 5.1% (2005)

Independence

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

Industrial production growth rate

13.5% (2004)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

172.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

197.56 deaths/1,000 live births

total

185.36 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

23% (2005 est.)

International organization participation

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

Internet country code

.ao

Internet hosts

2,525 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

172,000 (2005) Transportation Angola

Investment (gross fixed)

30.3% of GDP (2005 est.)

Irrigated land

800 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president)

Labor force

5.58 million (2005 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

85%

industry and services

15% (2003 est.)

Land boundaries

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

total

5,198 km

Land use

arable land

2.65%

other

97.12% (2005)

permanent crops

0.23%

Languages

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, other 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, other 7

elections

last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held September 2006)

Life expectancy at birth

female

39.83 years (2006 est.)

male

37.47 years

total population

38.62 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

53.8% (2001 est.) Government Angola

male

82.1%

total population

66.8%

Location

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

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2005)

Manpower available for military service

females age 17-49

2,462,601 (2005 est.)

males age 17-49

2,548,455

Manpower fit for military service

females age 17-49

1,256,390 (2005 est.)

males age 17-49

1,282,195

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 17-49

123,586 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

126,694

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

18 years (2006 est.)

male

18 years

total

18 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries

5 (Bahamas 5) (2006)

total

4 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,343 GRT/4,643 DWT

Military branches

Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Air and Air Defense Forces (FANA) (2006)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$2 billion (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

8.8% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Angola

Military service age and obligation

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Nationality

adjective

Angolan

noun

Angolan(s)

Natural gas - consumption

720 million cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

720 million cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

45.87 billion cu m (2005)

Natural hazards

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

3.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

46,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - production

1.6 million bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

25 billion bbl (2005 est.)

Pipelines

gas 235 km; liquid petroleum gas 122 km; oil 867 km; oil/gas/water 5 km (2006)

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 [Isaias SAMAKUVA] (largest opposition party); 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; they and the other 115 smaller parties 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's small-scale, highly factionalized armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province has largely ended

Population

12,127,071 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

70% (2003 est.)

Population growth rate

2.45% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo Military Angola

Public debt

38.3% of GDP (2005 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)

Radios

815,000 (2000)

Railways

narrow gauge

2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2005)

total

2,761 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

13,510 (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.197 billion (2005 est.)

Roadways

paved

5,349 km

total

51,429 km

unpaved

46,080 km (2001)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter

general assessment

telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links

international

country code - 244; satellite earth stations - 29; fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia (2005)

Telephones - main lines in use

94,300 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1,094,100 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

6 (2000)

Televisions

196,000 (2000)

Terrain

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Total fertility rate

6.35 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Waterways

1,300 km (2005)