NationalityAngolan(s) |
Ethnic Composition
| Ovimbundu |
37% |
| Kimbundu |
25% |
| Bakongo |
13% |
| Mestico (mixed European and Native
African) |
2% |
| European |
1% |
| Other |
22% |
|
Religious Composition
| Indigenous beliefs |
47% |
| Roman Catholic |
38% |
| Protestant |
15% |
|
Languages SpokenPortuguese is the official language of government and business
in Angola. Bantu and other African languages are
spoken. |
Education and LiteracyAngola's overall adult literacy is around 42 percent. Among
males it is 56 percent and females 28 percent. |
Labor ForceTotal:
5 million
By occupation:
| Agriculture |
85% |
| Industry and service |
15% |
|
Geography |
Land Mass Total774,663 sq mi (1,246,700 sq km) |
Land1,246,700 sq km |
Water0 km |
Land BoundariesTotal:
5,198 km
Border countries:
Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511
km (of which 220 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda
Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km,
Zambia 1,110 km |
Coastline1,600 km |
Maritime claimExclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm |
Climate/WeatherSemiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool,
dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to
April). |
TerrainNarrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau.
|
Elevation extremesLowest:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest:
Morro de Moco 2,620 m |
Natural ResourcesPetroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar,
gold, bauxite, uranium. |
Land use
| Arable land |
2% |
| Permanent crops |
0% |
| Permanent pastures |
N/A% |
| Forests and woodland |
N/A% |
| Other |
97% |
(1998) |
Natural hazardsLocal heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau.
|
Environment - current issuesOveruse 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. |
Geography NoteCabinda is separated from rest of the country by the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. |
Demographics |
Population10,593,171 (July 2002) |
Age structure
| 0-14 years: |
43.3% |
Male: 2,318,326 |
Female: 2,272,726 |
| 15-64 years: |
53.9% |
Male: 2,904,595 |
Female: 2,806,430 |
| 65 years and over: |
2.8% |
Male: 131,316 |
Female: 159,778 |
|
Growth Rate2.18% (2002) |
Life Expectancy38.87 years
Female: 40.18
years
Male:
37.62 years |
GDP Per CapitaPurchasing power parity
US$1,330 (2001) |
Infant Mortality191.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2002) |
Sex ratio
| At birth: |
1.05 male(s)/female |
| Under 15 years: |
1.02 male(s)/female |
| 15-64 years: |
1.04 male(s)/female |
| 65 years and over: |
0.84 male(s)/female |
| Total population: |
1.02 male(s)/female |
|
Net migration rate0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002) |
Economy & Trade |
| Angola is an economy in disarray because of a quarter century
of nearly continuous warfare. Subsistence agriculture provides
the main livelihood for 85 percent of the population. Oil
production and the supporting activities are vital to the
economy, contributing about 45 percent to GDP and 90 percent of
exports. Violence continues, millions of land mines remain, and
many farmers are reluctant to return to their fields. As a
result, much of the country's food must still be imported. To
fully take advantage of its rich natural resources - gold,
diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil
deposits - Angola will need to end its conflict and continue
reforming government policies. Internal strife discourages
investment outside of the petroleum sector, which could
produce roughly 800,000 barrels of oil per day. While
Angola made progress in bringing inflation down further, from
over 300 percent in 2000 to about 110 percent in 2001, the
government has failed to make sufficient progress on reforms
recommended by the IMF, such as increasing foreign exchange
reserves and promoting greater transparency in government
spending. Angola's GDP was slated to be among the
world's fastest growing in 2002 when oil production from
the Girassol field, which began production in December 2001,
topped 200,000 barrels per day as expected. Petroleum still
controls the lion's share of the economy, and the rising prices
of the first half of 2003 presage good times. However,
continued regional turmoil along with the ebb and flow of
refugees pressurizes the Angolan economy. |
UnemploymentExtensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than
half the population. (2001) |
Inflation Rate110% (2001) |
IndustriesPetroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,
uranium, gold, cement, basic metal products, fish processing,
food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar, textiles.
|
ExportsUS$7 billion (f.o.b., 2001) |
ImportsUS$2.7 billion (f.o.b., 2001) |
Total TradeGDP US$13.3 billion (2001) |
Top Export PartnersUS 44.5%, EU 17.3%, China 22.7%, South Korea 8.1% (2000) |
Top Import PartnersEU 47.4%, South Korea 16%, South Africa 15.9%, US 11.3%, Brazil
5.5% (2000) |
Top ExportsCrude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas,
coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton |
Top ImportsMachinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts,
medicines, food, textiles and clothing, substantial military
goods. |
IndustriesPetroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,
uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish
processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar;
textiles |
Debt - externalUS$10.4 billion (2001) |
Economic aidUS$383.5 million (1999) |
Fiscal Year:Calendar year |
Business Workweek
|
| |
Monday - Friday |
Saturday -
Sunday |
| Offices |
8:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. and 2p.m. to 6p.m. |
Closed |
| Retail |
8:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. and 2p.m. to 6p.m. |
Some stores are open on
Saturday as well. |
| Banks |
8a.m. to 12:30p.m. and 2p.m. to 3p.m. |
Closed |
| Government |
7:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. |
Closed |
|
Holidays |
Official Holidays
| Holidays |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
| New Year's Day |
January 1 |
January 1 |
January 1 |
| Commencement of Armed Struggle Day
(Inicio de Luta Armada) |
February 4 |
February 4 |
February 4 |
| Women's Day |
March 8 |
March 8 |
March 8 |
| Youth Day |
April 14 |
April 14 |
April 14 |
| Workers' Day (Labor Day) |
May 1 |
May 1 |
May 1 |
| Children's Day |
June 1 |
June 1 |
June 1 |
| Armed Forces Day |
August 1 |
August 1 |
August 1 |
| National Heroes' Day |
September 17 |
September 17 |
September 17 |
| Independence Day |
November 11 |
November 11 |
November 11 |
| Pioneer's Day |
December 1 |
December 1 |
December 1 |
| Foundation of the MPLA Worker's Party
Day |
December 10 |
December 10 |
December 10 |
| Family Day |
December 25 |
December 25 |
December 25 |
|
