ARCHIVE // AO // 2001
Angola
2001 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Internet users
(Internet Service Providers (ISPs))
[time series]
1 (2000)
Internet country code
[time series]
.ao
Internet users
[time series]
12,000 (1999)
Broadcast media
(Radio broadcast stations)
[time series]
AM 34, FM 7, shortwave 9 (1999)
Radios
[time series]
630,000 (1997)
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
general assessment: 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 - main lines in use)
[time series]
62,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
7,052 (1997)
Broadcast media
(Television broadcast stations)
[time series]
7 (1999)
Televisions
[time series]
150,000 (1997)
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]
kwanza (AOA)
Exchange rates
(Currency code)
[time series]
AOA
Debt - external
[time series]
$10.8 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid
(Economic aid - recipient)
[time series]
$493.1 million (1995)
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
Angola is an economy in disarray because of a quarter century 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 45% to GDP and 90% 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 resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to end its conflict and continue reforming government policies. Despite the increase in the pace of civil warfare in late 1998, the economy grew by an estimated 5% in 2000. The government introduced new currency denominations in 1999, including 1 and 5 kwanza notes. Internal strife discourages investment outside of the petroleum sector, which is producing roughly 800,000 barrels of oil per day. Angola has entered into a Staff Monitored Program (SMP) with the IMF. Continued growth depends on sharp cuts in inflation, further economic reform, and a lessening of fighting.
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
1.372 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports
[time series]
0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production
[time series]
1.475 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source
[time series]
fossil fuel: 32.2% hydro: 67.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)
Exchange rates
[time series]
kwanza per US dollar - 17,910,800 (January 2001), 10,041,000 (2000), 2,790,706 (1999), 392,824 (1998), 229,040 (1997), 128,029 (1996); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value
Exports
[time series]
$7.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
Exports - partners
[time series]
US 54%, South Korea 14%, Benelux 11%, China 7%, Taiwan 6% (1999)
Fiscal year
[time series]
calendar year
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP)
[time series]
purchasing power parity - $10.1 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
(GDP - composition by sector)
[time series]
agriculture: 7% industry: 60% services: 33% (1999 est.)
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita)
[time series]
purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
4.9% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
[time series]
$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Imports - partners
[time series]
South Korea 16%, Portugal 15%, US 13%, South Africa 10%, France 8% (1999)
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)
[time series]
325% (2000 est.)
Labor force
[time series]
5 million (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line
[time series]
NA%
Unemployment rate
[time series]
extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2000 est.)
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km
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
[time series]
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, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
12 30 S, 18 30 E
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]
contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 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
Capital
[time series]
Luanda
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
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumeddienne, 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 Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI chancery: 1615 M Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156
Executive branch
[time series]
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); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; 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 resumed
Diplomatic representation in the US
(FAX)
[time series]
[1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: New York
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, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Judicial branch
[time series]
Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges 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 - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7
National holiday
[time series]
Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Jonas SAVIMBI], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS] ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO]; UNITA-Renovada [Eugenio NGOLO "Manuvakola", leader] 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 [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE] 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
Introduction
Background
[time series]
Civil war has been the norm in Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the government and armed forces. A national unity government was installed in April of 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, rendering hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century.
Military
Military and security forces
(Military branches)
[time series]
Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure
[time series]
$1.2 billion (FY97)
Military expenditures
(Military expenditures - percent of GDP)
[time series]
22% (1999)
Military manpower - availability
[time series]
males age 15-49: 2,480,016 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service
[time series]
males age 15-49: 1,246,224 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age
[time series]
18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually
[time series]
males: 103,807 (2001 est.)
People
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 43.31% (male 2,266,870; female 2,222,262) 15-64 years: 53.98% (male 2,847,089; female 2,748,091) 65 years and over: 2.71% (male 127,798; female 153,921) (2001 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
46.54 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Death rate
[time series]
24.68 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
2.78% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
15,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
160,000 (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
193.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Languages
[time series]
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 38.59 years male: 37.36 years female: 39.87 years (2001 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]
-0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Population
[time series]
10,366,031 (July 2001 est.)
Population growth rate
[time series]
2.15% (2001 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
6.48 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Transnational Issues
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
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
247 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 31 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
[time series]
total: 216 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 96 under 914 m: 83 (2000 est.)
Roadways
(Highways)
[time series]
total: 76,626 km paved: 19,156 km unpaved: 57,470 km (1997)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 39,305 GRT/63,067 DWT ships by type: cargo 8, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)
Pipelines
[time series]
crude oil 179 km
Ports
(Ports and harbors)
[time series]
Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo
Railways
[time series]
total: 2,771 km (inland, much of the track is unusable because of land mines still in place from the civil war) narrow gauge: 2,648 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2000)
Waterways
[time series]
1,295 km