Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola (Portuguese: República de Angola; IPA: [ʁɛ'publikɐ dɨ ɐ̃'gɔlɐ]), is a country in southern Africa. It was a Portuguese colony from 1575 until it gained its independence in 1975. After its separation from Portugal, it underwent a bloody civil war, which lasted until 2002. It is a member of the African Union. Its capital and largest city is Luanda, formerly known as Loanda. It uses West Africa Time. Its government is a republic and has a multi-party presidential regime.[1]
History
The earliest inhabitants of Angola were Khoisan hunters and gatherers. They were later replaced by Bantu migratory tribes. [2] In the late 15th century, the Portuguese arrived to the coasts of Angola, and, after a short Dutch occupation, gained control of the country until the late 20th century. Portugal did not acquire precious metals from Angola, as with its other colonies. Instead, Angola became one of Portugal's main source for slaves. Portugal officially established its first base in Angola in 1575. [3]
Provinces
Angola is divided into 18 provinces. These are Bengo, Benguela, Bié, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huíla, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uíge, and Zaire.[4] Each province is subdivided into municipalities or municípios, also translated as "city councils". There are 163 total city councils in Angola.[5]
Geography
Angola has a total area of 481,321 mi² (1,246,700 km²). It is the 23rd largest country in the world. [6] The country is bordered by Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the South Atlantic Ocean. The Angolan exclave of Cabinda borders the Republic of the Congo to the north.[7]
Demography
Angola has a total population of 12,127,071, as of the 2006 estimate. [8] 42% of the country's population is illiterate. Angola's ethnic groups include Ovimbundu (37% of the population), Kimbundu (25%), Bakongo (13%), mestico (mixed European and native African) (2%), European (1%), and others (22%).[1]
The country's population holds different religious beliefs, including indigenous beliefs (47%), Catholic beliefs (38%), and Protestant beliefs (15%), according to a 1998 estimate.[8] The official language in the country is Portuguese, but other Bantu and African languages are also spoken. [8]
Economy
The currency used in Angola is the Angolan kwanza. Due to warfare, Angola's economy is weak. The production of petroleum is one of its most productive industries, as it accounts for over 90% of the country's exports. The other is the production of diamonds. Angola is the fourth-largest diamond producer in the world, producing around 739 million USD in 2000. [9]
Military
Angola's military is composed by the Angolan Armed Forces. It is divided in three branches: the Army, the Navy (Marinha de Guerra), and the Angolan National Air Force, formerly known as the People's Air and Air Defence Force of Angola (Força Aérea Popular de Angola/Defesa Aérea e Antiaérea). Military service in Angola is compulsory. Conscripts must be at least 18 years old and must serve for two years, plus training time. [1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The CIA World Factbook (last updated October 4, 2007). Angola. Retreived on October 17, 2007.
- ↑ Thomas Collelo (Washington, 1991). Angola: A Country Study. Online version retrieved from the Library of Congress of the United States on October 20, 2007.
- ↑ The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition (2007, Columbia University Press). Angola: History until Independence. Retreived on October 20, 2007.
- ↑ Gwillim Law. Administrative Divisions of Countries ("Statoids") (last updated on October 14, 2007). Provinces of Angola. Retreived on October 17, 2007.
- ↑ Gwillim Law. Administrative Divisions of Countries ("Statoids") (last updated on October 14, 2007). City Councils of Angola. Retreived on October 17, 2007.
- ↑ The CIA World Factbook. Rank Order: Area. Retreived on October 18, 2007.
- ↑ Global Security. Cabinda. Retreived on October 18, 2007.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Multimedia History Company: Nation by nation. Angola Population. Retreived on October 18, 2007.
- ↑ Institute for Security Studies. Angola: Economy. Retreived on October 18, 2007.