Angola is a Southern African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Its terrestrial borders confine with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (North and East), with Zambia (East) and Namibia (South). Angola also includes the Cabinda enclave within the Republic of the Congo.
Angola is an independent state since November 11th 1975. It includes 18 provinces: Bengo, Benguela, Bié, Cabinda, Cuando-Cubango ,Kwanza-Norte, Kwanza-Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huíla, Luanda, Lunda-Norte, Lunda-Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uíge e Zaire.
REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA
President: José Eduardo dos Santos
Government: multiparty presidential regime.
Capital: Luanda (4.500.000)
Other large cities: Huambo, Lobito, Benguela, Lubango, Namibe, Malanje e Cabinda
Population: 18.000.000 (est. 2008)
Currency: Kwanza (KZR)
Languages: Português (official); Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Tchokwe (main national languages).
Climate: Tropical. Dry season (cacimbo), May to Septembre; rainy season (hot), October to April.
Average Temperatures: 27ºC (max.); 17ºC (min.)
GEOGRAPHY
Area: 1.246.700 sq km
Highest point: Monte Môco 2 620 m (Huambo)
Land Boundaries: West - Atlantic Ocean; North - Republic of the Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo; East - Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Zambia; South - Republic of Namibia.
Border extension: coastline 1.650 km; land: 4.837 km. The interior is a vast plateau (60% of the land) 1 000 to 2 000 m high, with a vast and dense hydrographic net.
Main rivers: Kwanza, Cunene e Cubango.
ECONOMY
GDP: 61,1 billions US dollars (est. 2009)
Exports Fob: 67,2 billions (2008)
Imports Fob: 17 billions (2008)
Inflation rate: 12,3 % (est. 2009)
Average Exchange Rate 1USD=xAOA 80,10 (2009)
Average Exchange Rate 1EUR=xAOA 108,74 (2009)
Exports - commodities: crude oil, diamonds, minerals, timber, fish, coffee, cotton and sisal.
Imports - commodities: food, drinks, vegetables, electrical equipment and vehicles.
Labor force by occupation: agriculture 68,5%; industry 4,5%; services 26,8%.
Main Commercial Partners: USA, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, France, China, Spain, Brazil and South Africa.
Largest Ports: Luanda, Lobito and Namibe
From 2005 to 2008 the average growth rate was about 17,5% per year, which has placed Angola on the fore of the countries with the world largest growth rates in recent years.
Angola will grow more than 7,1% in 2011
Angola, the second biggest oil exporter of the sub-saharan region, will resume its economic growth at a more consistent pace, being predictable that it reaches 5,9% the current year and more than 7,1% in 2011, after the more limited growth of 0,7% in 2009.
Source: Jornal de Angola
