Chief
of State: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since
21 September 1979)
Head of Government: President
Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979)
Government Type: republic, nominally
a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system
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Population:
12,127,071 (July 2006 est.)
Languages: Portuguese (official),
Bantu and other African languages
Religion: indigenous beliefs
47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
Life Expectancy: 38.62 |
Currency:
kwanza (AOA)
GDP(per capita): $3,200 (2005
est.)
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 half of GDP
and 90% of exports. Increased oil production supported
12% growth in 2004 and 19% growth in 2005. 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 half of
the population, but half of the country's food must
still be imported. In 2005, the government started using
a $2 billion line of credit from China to rebuild Angola's
public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects
are scheduled for completion by 2006. The central bank
in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program
using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of
circulation, a policy that was more sustainable in 2005
because of strong oil export earnings, and has significantly
reduced inflation. Consumer inflation declined from
325% in 2000 to about 18% in 2005, but the stabilization
policy places pressure on international net liquidity.
To fully take advantage of its rich national resources
- gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries,
and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue
reforming government policies and to reduce corruption.
The government has made sufficient progress on reforms
recommended by the IMF such as promoting greater transparency
in government spending but continues to be without a
formal monitoring agreement with the institution.
Exports: crude oil, diamonds,
refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish
and fish products, timber, cotton
Import: machinery and electrical
equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food,
textiles, military goods |
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Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Area: total: 1,246,700 sq km
land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
Background:
Angola is slowly 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. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold
legislative elections in 2006.
Independence Day: 11 November
1975 (from Portugal)
Capital City: Luanda
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 |
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