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Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture-products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $928 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei

Debt - external (Debt-external) [time series]

$12.5 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $451 million (1994)

Economic overview (Economy-overview) [time series]

Angola is an economy in disarray because of more than 20 years of nearly continuous warfare. Despite its abundant natural resources, output per capita is among the world's lowest. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 50% to GDP. Notwithstanding the signing of a peace accord in November 1994, sporadic 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 take advantage of its rich resources-gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, arable land, and large oil deposits-Angola will need to implement the peace agreement and reform government policies. Despite the high inflation and political difficulties, total output grew an estimated 9% in 1996, largely due to increased oil production and higher oil prices.

Electricity - capacity (Electricity-capacity) [time series]

617,000 kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita (Electricity-consumption per capita) [time series]

185 kWh (1995)

Electricity - production (Electricity-production) [time series]

18.62 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates [time series]

kwanza (NKz) per US$1-265,000 (August 1997), 201,994 (November 1996) note: the exchange rate is set by the National Bank of Angola (BNA); adjusted by BNA on 19 July 1997 at 265,000 kwanzas per US$1; black market rate was then 360,000 kwanzas per US$1

Exports [time series]

total value: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton partners: US 70%, EU

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year Communications

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$8.2 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP-composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 12% industry: 56% services: 32% (1994 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP-per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$800 (1996 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP-real growth rate) [time series]

9% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment), vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles and clothing; substantial military supplies partners: Portugal, Brazil, US, France, Spain

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate-consumer price index) [time series]

92% (mid-1997 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 2.783 million economically active by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 17, FM 13, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

78,000 (1991 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

50,000 (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (1997 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative (Area-comparative) [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

1,600 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues (Environment-current issues) [time series]

the 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

International environmental agreements (Environment-international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Climate Change

Geographic coordinates [time series]

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Geography - note (Geography-note) [time series]

Cabinda is separated from rest of country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Irrigated land [time series]

750 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 23% forests and woodland: 43% other: 32% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 20 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992

Country name [time series]

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

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald K. STEINBERG embassy: No. 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne, Miramar, Luanda mailing address: International mail: Caixa Postal 6484, Luanda; Pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (2) 345-481, 346-418

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio dos Santos FRANCA "N'dalu" chancery: 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 760, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979) head of government: Prime Minister Fernando Franca VAN DUNEM (since 8 June 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: President DOS SANTOS originally elected without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections in 28-29 September 1992, the last elections to be held, (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president and answerable to the Assembly election results: DOS SANTOS received 49.6% of the total vote, making a run-off election necessary between him and second-place finisher Jonas SAVIMBI; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war was resumed

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 785-1258

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[244] (2) 346-924

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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)

Government type [time series]

transitional government, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system

Independence [time series]

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC (observer), ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao, judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president

Legal system [time series]

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party-MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%; seats by party-NA

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Luanda

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], is the ruling party and has been in power since 1975; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Jonas SAVIMBI], is the largest opposition party and engaged in years of armed resistance before joining the current unity government in April 1997 note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but won few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures-dollar figure) [time series]

$1.2 billion (1998 est.)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures-percent of GDP) [time series]

31% (1993)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower-availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,476,766 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower-fit for military service) [time series]

males: 1,246,349 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower-military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower-reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 105,283 (1998 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 45% (male 2,471,108; female 2,401,631) 15-64 years: 52% (male 2,864,152; female 2,831,209) 65 years and over: 3% (male 137,432; female 158,980) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

43.58 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate [time series]

16.79 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

132.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages [time series]

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 47.86 years male: 45.6 years female: 50.23 years (1998 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% (1998 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan

Net migration rate [time series]

1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population [time series]

10,864,512 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.84% (1998 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.2 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes-international) [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

increasingly used as a transshipment point for cocaine and heroin destined for Western Europe and other African states ANGUILLA (dependent territory of the UK)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

252 (1997 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports-with paved runways) [time series]

total: 32 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports-with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 220 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 101 under 914 m: 82 (1997 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 72,626 km paved: 18,157 km unpaved: 54,469 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 48,384 GRT/78,357 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, oil tanker 1 (1997 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 179 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo

Railways [time series]

total: 2,952 km limited trackage in use because of land mines still in place from the civil war (1997 est.) narrow gauge: 2,798 km 1.067-m gauge; 154 km 0.600-m gauge

Waterways [time series]

1,295 km navigable