Angola Guide

Angola Guide

According to Abbreviationfinder, Angola is a country in southwestern Africa. Common borders with Namibia – in the south, Congo – in the northeast and north, Zambia in the east. The capital is Luanda. The official language is Portuguese.

The climate is seaside, tropical trade winds. The temperature in winter is +20*С, in summer +28*С.

Elephants, zebras, antelopes, buffalo lions, cheetahs, leopards live.

Resorts and attractions of Angola

The Republic of Angola is located in southwestern Africa and covers an area of ​​about 1.25 mil. sq. km. The population is 13.3 million. people Life expectancy in Angola is 39 years. Most of the population lives below the poverty line. The main religion is Christianity. African beliefs are widespread – fetishism, animalism, nature cults.

The history of the capital of Angola, Luanda, began in 1575. At that time, the city was founded by a native of Portugal.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it was the largest center of the slave trade. Then there were constant uprisings and armed attacks. Luanda was far from a peaceful place.

Angola – country information

Country name Angola
Official name English Republic
Capital Luanda
continent Africa
Area 1,246,700 km
Population 20 609 294 (2012)
Foundation of a state 11. 11. 1975
The highest mountains Mount Moco 2610 m
Longest rivers Cubango 1820 km (v. 1450 km)
State system a pluralist republic with a unicameral parliament, a de facto transitional government
The biggest cities Luanda (hl. město) 1 650 000, Benguela 325 00, Huambo 300 000
Official language Portuguese
Ethnicity/National Composition skupi Ovimbundu 39%, Mbundu 23%, Kongo 13.5%, Luimbe-Nganguela 5%, Humbe-Nyaneka 5%, Chokwe 4%, Luvale 3%, Luchazi 2%, others 3.5%
Religious affiliation Roman Catholics 56%, Protestants 9%, other Christians 24%, traditional faith 10%
Currency 1 new kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei
gross domestic product (GDP) US$6,092 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population 38.62 let (2006)

Angola – Neighboring States

State Capital Area Populace
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa 2,344,860 km 67 514 000
Kongo Brazzaville 342 000 km 4 448 000
Namibia Windhoek 824,292 km 2 113 077
Zambia Lusaka 752,618 km2 14 580 290

Country overview

Angola is a vast country on the southwest coast of Africa. It borders Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east and Zaire to the north. Its seaside enclave of Cabinda is separated from it by a strip of Zairean territory and touches the Congo in the north. The country has been wracked by a protracted civil war since independence in 1975.

Country data

Location: Southern Africa

Time zone: CET (during summer time: CET – 1)

Total area: 1,246,700 km²

Land area: 1,246,700 km²

Water area: 0 km²

Length of the state border: 5,369 km

including:
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2,646 km
Republic of the Congo: 231 km
Namibia: 1,427 km
Zambia: 1,065 km

Coastline: 1,600 km

Capital: Luanda

Provinces: 18
Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire

Telephone code: 00 244 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m

Population

Population: approx. 19.1 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 2.8% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 15

Life expectancy: 54 (male), 57 (female)

Official language: Portuguese (official) and Bantu

Religions:

  • 47% Muslim
  • 38% Roman Catholic
  • 15% Protestants

Climate

There is a humid tropical climate with high humidity. The heavy rainy season lasts from November to April, the dry season from May to October.

The northern mountains and the center of the country are often hit by heavy rains.

Temperatures are highest in the coastal region and in the north of the country. 25 to 30 ° C is normal during the day. Even at night it only cools down insignificantly. Towards the south and inland, the temperatures are more pleasant and the rains less frequent.

The average temperature here is a little over 18 ° C.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Kwanza (AOA)

Classification: 1 Kwanza = 100 Lwei

ATMs: only occasionally available in large cities. Devices are often out of order.

International credit cards: Very few shops and hotels accept them.

Regulations: The national currency may only be imported and exported up to an amount of 50,000 Kwanza.

The import of foreign currencies is unlimited. The export is allowed in the amount of the declared import minus the exchanged amounts. Please keep the exchange certificates in a safe place. However, some are not always issued at all exchange points.

Due to the unstable currency situation, you should only exchange money for direct use. There is a constant devaluation of the national currency.

We recommend that you carry the US dollar in small denominations as a foreign currency. $ 100 bills will only be changed if they were printed in 1996 or later

Customs regulations

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

It is recommended that you bring everything you need with you (e.g. clothing, linen, shoes, toiletries), as there are major supply problems even with basic needs.

Due to the high risk of theft, you should not take valuable items with you (video cameras, cameras,…).

In any case, it is recommended that you declare your valuables upon entry.

You are still allowed to bring:

  • a fair amount of tobacco products
  • an adequate amount of perfume in an open bottle

Note: The customs officer decides what is appropriate!

Travel advice

Due to Angola’s poor domestic, economic and financial situation, travelers should exercise particular caution.

There are repeated armed robberies and thefts.

When traveling to Angola, we recommend contacting the German embassy in Luanda and obtaining current information on the local situation.

During vehicle checks by the police, bribes are repeatedly extorted because of actual or alleged violations. Always insist on the correct issuance of a parking ticket.

Behavioral advice

Never leave valuables open in the vehicle or in your room.

You should always take your passport and important documents with you and keep them hidden on your body (e.g. hip pocket, neck pouch).

Never handle money, valuables or cell phones in public !!

In the capital, even during the day, armed attacks on motorists who have no means of escape in the traffic are frequent.

Tip: get yourself a small purse in which you can keep a lot of smaller bills so that you can satisfy the thief in the event of a robbery.

Economy

Due to the prevailing high unemployment, the strong inflation and the civil war, the economy has almost come to a standstill.

Only the fishing industry, which is of great importance for the country, will continue to be promoted. The existing oil reserves are exported for foreign exchange.

Agricultural production is geared towards making coffee. Tourism plays only a minor role in Angola.

Industries: Oil production, ore mining, fishing, agriculture

Natural resources: diamonds, petroleum, ores, fish, gold

Land use:

  • Usable land: 2%
  • Grain cultivation: 0%
  • Pasture area: 23%
  • Forests: 43%
  • other: 32%

Plants

The desert area in the south of the country is very barren and almost without vegetation. The Welwitscha mirabilis, a desert plant that grows in the coastal desert of Angola, is one of the naked animals of the Welwitschiaceae family. This plant species is only found in these regions and in the Namib Desert.

In the higher regions predominantly tropical forests grow. Umbrella acacias and baobabs are typical representatives of the tree species found in Angola.

Animals

The unique wildlife of Angola consists of many antelope species, elephants and leopards which live all over the country. Many rivers are inhabited by crocodiles, hippos, wildebeests and rhinos.

A popular travel destination, Kissama National Park is about 80 km south of Luanda and is home to numerous animal species. However, the park is closed during the rainy season.

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