Angola

Broadcast media

state controls all broadcast media with nationwide reach; state-owned Televisao Popular de Angola (TPA) provides terrestrial TV service on 2 channels; a third TPA channel is available via cable and satellite; TV subscription services are available; state-owned Radio Nacional de Angola (RNA) broadcasts on 5 stations; about a half dozen private radio stations broadcast locally (2008)

Internet country code

.ao

Internet hosts

3,717 (2010) country comparison to the world: 142

Internet users

606,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 114

Telephone system

general assessment: limited system; state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; by 2010, the number of fixed-line providers had expanded to 5; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001 domestic: only about two fixed-lines per 100 persons; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 65 telephones per 100 persons in 2009 international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

303,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 112

Telephones - mobile cellular

8.109 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 73

Agriculture - products

bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish

Central bank discount rate

30% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 12 19.57% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.68% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 12.53% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$2.089 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 -$1.668 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$17.98 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $13.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Angola's high growth rate in recent years was driven by high international prices for its oil. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day (bbl/day), somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl/day Angola's government had wanted. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Diamond exports contribute an additional 5%. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food is still imported. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2008. 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. Land mines left from the war still mar the countryside, even though peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Since 2005, the government has used billions of dollars in credit lines from China, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure. The global recession temporarily stalled economic growth. Lower prices for oil and diamonds during the global recession led to a contraction in GDP in 2009, and many construction projects stopped because Luanda accrued $9 billion in arrears to foreign construction companies when government revenue fell in 2008 and 2009. Angola abandoned its currency peg in 2009, and in November 2009 signed onto an IMF Stand-By Arrangement loan of $1.4 billion to rebuild international reserves. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 14% in 2010, Luanda has been unable to reduce inflation below 10%. The Angolan kwanza depreciated again in mid 2010, which, along with higher oil prices, should boost economic growth in all sectors. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, also is a major challenge.

Electricity - consumption

3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Exchange rates

kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 92.08 (2010), 79.328 (2009), 75.023 (2008), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006)

Exports

$51.65 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $40.08 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton

Exports - partners

China 35.65%, US 25.98%, France 8.83%, South Africa 4.13% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$85.81 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$114.1 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $107.8 billion (2009 est.) $108.7 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 9.6% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $8,400 (2009 est.) $8,700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 -0.9% (2009 est.) 13.4% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 0.6% highest 10%: 44.7% (2000)

Imports

$18.1 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $15.74 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods

Imports - partners

Portugal 18.71%, China 17.39%, US 8.51%, Brazil 8.22%, South Korea 6.72%, France 4.51%, Italy 4.28%, South Africa 4.02% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Industries

petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 13.7% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

15.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Labor force

7.977 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 85% industry and services: 15% (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

680 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Natural gas - production

680 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - proved reserves

271.8 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Oil - consumption

70,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Oil - exports

1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Oil - imports

28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Oil - production

1.948 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Oil - proved reserves

13.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Population below poverty line

40.5% (2006 est.)

Public debt

20.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 21.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$16.89 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $13.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$24.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $29.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$4.883 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $3.933 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$91.55 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $79.88 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$17.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $22.06 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$8.74 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 74 $9.792 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

NA

Area

total: 1,246,700 sq km country comparison to the world: 23 land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Coastline

1,600 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m

Environment - current issues

overuse 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

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%) per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Geography - note

the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Irrigated land

800 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

Land use

arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005)

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Natural resources

petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium

Terrain

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Total renewable water resources

184 cu km (1987)

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

Capital

name: Luanda geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dan MOZENA embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000 FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections on 29-30 September 1992 (next were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed) election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants

Government type

republic; multiparty presidential regime

Independence

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2

National anthem

name: "Angola Avante" (Forward Angola) lyrics/music: Manuel Rui Alves MONTEIRO/Rui Alberto Vieira Dias MINGAO note: adopted 1975

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Political parties and leaders

National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [Ngola KABANGU]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA] (largest opposition party); New Democracy Electoral Union or ND [Quintino de MOREIRA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS] (ruling party in power since 1975); Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA] note: nine other parties participated in the legislative election in September 2008 but won no seats

Political pressure groups and leaders

Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Angola is 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 fighting picked up again by 1996. 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. President DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008 and, despite promising to hold presidential elections in 2009, has since made a presidential poll contingent on the drafting of a new constitution.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,991,424 females age 16-49: 2,893,898 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,506,489 females age 16-49: 1,451,427 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 151,237 female: 147,919 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009)

Military expenditures

3.6% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 32

Military service age and obligation

20-45 years of age for compulsory and 18-45 years for voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required; minimum age for women volunteers is 20; the MGA is entirely staffed with volunteers (2010)

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

43.33 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Death rate

23.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 160

Ethnic groups

Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

HIV/AIDS - deaths

11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

190,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Infant mortality rate

total: 178.13 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 1 male: 190.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 165.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 38.48 years country comparison to the world: 223 male: 37.48 years female: 39.52 years (2010 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.4% male: 82.9% female: 54.2% (2001 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)

Median age

total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan

Net migration rate

1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Population

13,068,161 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Population growth rate

2.063% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Religions

indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.05 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Urbanization

urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007)

Airports

193 (2010) country comparison to the world: 32

Airports - with paved runways

total: 31 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 162 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 78 under 914 m: 47 (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 7 country comparison to the world: 125 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1) registered in other countries: 15 (Bahamas 5, Liberia 1, Malta 7, former Netherlands Antilles 2) (2010)

Pipelines

gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe

Railways

total: 2,764 km country comparison to the world: 62 narrow gauge: 2,641 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 51,429 km country comparison to the world: 80 paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)

Waterways

1,300 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 55