2009 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 fighting picked up again by 1996. 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 held legislative elections in September 2008, and announced plans to hold presidential elections in 2009.

Area

total: 1,246,700 sq km country comparison to the world: 23 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: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

43.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Death rate

24.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Education expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 159

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

HIV/AIDS - deaths

11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

190,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Infant mortality rate

total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 1 male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 38.2 years country comparison to the world: 223 male: 37.24 years female: 39.22 years (2009 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 (2009)

Median age

total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan

Net migration rate

1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Population

12,799,293 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Population growth rate

2.095% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

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 (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Urbanization

urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 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 was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed) election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held 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); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants

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, FNLA 3, ND 2

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Political parties and leaders

National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [Ngola KABANGU]; 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: nine other parties participated in the legislative election in September but won no seats

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 armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006

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: $28.99 billion expenditures: $21.44 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

19.57% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 19.57% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.53% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 17.7% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

$17.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $9.402 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$14.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Economy - overview

Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has taken advantage of high international oil prices. 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 2008, 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

3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Exchange rates

kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004)

Exports

$66.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $44.4 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

China 33%, US 28.7%, France 6%, South Africa 4.6%, Canada 4.1% (2008)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 9.2% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $8,200 (2007 est.) $6,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

12.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 21.1% (2007 est.) 18.6% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$84.95 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$112.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $100.5 billion (2007 est.) $82.94 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$17.08 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $13.66 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Portugal 17.6%, China 15.7%, US 11.3%, Brazil 7.6%, South Korea 6.8%, South Africa 4.8% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

14.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

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)

12.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 12.2% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Labor force

7.569 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Labor force - by occupation

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

Natural gas - consumption

680 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 204

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Natural gas - production

680 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - proved reserves

269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Oil - consumption

64,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Oil - exports

1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Oil - imports

28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Oil - production

2.015 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Oil - proved reserves

9.04 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Population below poverty line

40.5% (2006 est.)

Public debt

15.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 12% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$18.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$2.477 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$16.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $14.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$7.893 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 $1.166 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$8.446 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 $4.153 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$10.41 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 $7.216 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

NA

Internet country code

.ao

Internet hosts

3,508 (2009) country comparison to the world: 139

Internet users

550,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 105

Radio broadcast stations

AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001)

Telephone system

general assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008 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 (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

114,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 141

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.773 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 74

Television broadcast stations

6 (2000)

Airports

192 (2009) country comparison to the world: 32

Airports - with paved runways

total: 30 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 162 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 78 under 914 m: 46 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 6 country comparison to the world: 128 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 2 km; oil 87 km (2008)

Ports and terminals

Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe

Railways

total: 2,764 km country comparison to the world: 61 narrow gauge: 2,641 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 51,429 km country comparison to the world: 78 paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)

Waterways

1,300 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 55

Angolan Armed Forces (FAA)

Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009)

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: 1,467,833 females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 146,738 female: 143,478 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 13

Military service age and obligation

22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009)

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 page last updated on November 11, 2009

Refugees and internally displaced persons

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