Angola

Overview

Angola is a sparsely populated country in southern Africa, bordering the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north and north-east, Zambia to the east and Namibia to the south, with the western boundary of the country being the Atlantic Ocean (1 600 km of coastline). The southern boundary with Namibia is delineated by the lower Kunene River, with approximately 87 % of the Kunene River basin falling in Angola.

Oil production supports a large portion of Angola’s economy, with service industries also contributing significantly. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people. The climate is semiarid in the south and along the coast to Luanda; the northern part of Angola has a cool, dry season (May to October) and a hot, rainy season (November to April).

Key Indicators and Data

Capital city Luanda
Area 1 246 700 km²
Population (2009) 12 799 000
Population density 10.3 per km²
Date of independence November 11, 1975
Human Development Index (2007) 0.564; 143rd out of 182 countries
Access to improved drinking water sources (2002) Urban: 60 %; Rural: 38 %
Access to Improved Sanitation (2002)

Urban: 86 % ; Rural: 18 %
GDP (2007 est) US$ 70.53 billion (total); US$ 8 300 (per capita)
Economic Growth Rate (2004-2007) >15 %
Primary sectors Agriculture 9.6 %; Industry 65.8 %; Services 24.6 %
Main exports Crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, timber, cotton, fish and fish products
Neighbouring countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Namibia, and Zambia
Area of land in the Kunene River basin 92 400 km2
Percentage of the Kunene River basin 86.8 %

Sources: WHO (2009), Globalis GVU UNEP (2009), World Factbook (2010), BBC Monitoring (2009), UNHDR (2008); World Water (2002)

 
The coat of arms of Angola.
( click to enlarge )