2008 Edition

Background

Angola is 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. President DOS SANTOS has announced legislative elections will be held in September 2008, with presidential elections planned for sometime in 2009.

Area

total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 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

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%) per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000)

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

800 sq km (2003)

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

Land use

arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005)

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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

Total renewable water resources

184 cu km (1987)

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.6% (male 2,760,264/female 2,707,665) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 3,416,914/female 3,302,552) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 151,609/female 192,353) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

44.09 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

24.44 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2005)

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

total: 182.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 194.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 169.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 37.92 years male: 36.99 years female: 38.9 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.4% male: 82.9% female: 54.2% (2001 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2008)

Median age

total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan

Net migration rate

1.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population

12,531,357 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

2.136% (2008 est.)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 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: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.2 children born/woman (2008 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

name: Luanda geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dan MOZENA 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

chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156

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); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by 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 in 2009) election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held because 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

FAX

[1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York

[244] (222) 64-1232

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; multiparty presidential regime

Independence

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, ND 2, FNLA 3

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 between Ngola KABANGU and Lucas NGONDA]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party) [Isaias SAMAKUVA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975) [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS]; Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA] note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats; they and more than 100 other 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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $20.18 billion expenditures: $15.53 billion (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate

19.57% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

17.7% (31 December 2007)

Currency (code)

kwanza (AOA)

Currency code

AOA

Current account balance

$13.58 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$441.8 million (2005)

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 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. 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 most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2007, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola.

Electricity - consumption

3.084 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

3.513 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Exchange rates

kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003)

Exports

$45.03 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 32.1%, China 32%, France 5.9%, Taiwan 5.3%, South Africa 4.5% (2007)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 9.5% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,800 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

16.7% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$61.36 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$95.46 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$12.29 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Portugal 19.7%, US 10.9%, China 10.5%, Brazil 10.3%, South Africa 6.6%, France 6.3%, UK 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate

23.9% (2007 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; ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

12.2% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

9.1% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force

7.148 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Natural gas - consumption

680 million cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

680 million cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Oil - consumption

55,640 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports

1.23 million bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

19,550 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production

1.91 million bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

9.035 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

70% (2003 est.)

Public debt

12% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$227 million (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$17.23 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.385 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$4.153 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$7.216 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

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

Internet country code

.ao

Internet hosts

3,562 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

100,000 (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001)

Radios

815,000 (2000)

Telephone system

general assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 25 telephones per 100 persons in 2007 domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001 international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2007)

Telephones - main lines in use

98,200 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.307 million (2007)

Television broadcast stations

6 (2000)

Televisions

196,000 (2000)

Airports

232 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 31 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 under 914 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 201 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: 69 (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 6 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1) registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 6) (2008)

Pipelines

gas 234 km; liquid petroleum gas 85 km; oil 896 km; oil/gas/water 5 km (2007)

Ports and terminals

Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe

Railways

total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2006)

Roadways

total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)

Waterways

1,300 km (2007)

Angolan Armed Forces (FAA)

Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Angolan National Air Force (FANA) (2007)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,856,492 females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,430,658 females age 16-49: 1,371,689 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 142,791 female: 139,539 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

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

Disputes - international

Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement

IDPs

61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007)

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo)