The 1994 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Namibia

       and Zaire

       Map references:

       Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

       Area:

       total area:

       1,246,700 sq km

       land area:

       1,246,700 sq km

       comparative area:

       slightly less than twice the size of Texas

       Land boundaries:

       total 5,198 km, Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zaire 2,511 km, Zambia

       1,110 km

       Coastline:

       1,600 km

       Maritime claims:

       exclusive fishing zone:

       200 nm

       territorial sea:

       20 nm

       International disputes:

       none

       Climate:

       semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry

       season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

       Terrain:

       narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

       Natural resources:

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

       bauxite, uranium

       Land use:

       arable land:

       2%

       permanent crops:

       0%

       meadows and pastures:

       23%

       forest and woodland:

       43%

       other:

       32%

       Irrigated land:

       NA km2

       Environment:

       current issues:

       population pressures contributing to overuse of pastures and

       subsequent soil erosion; desertification; deforestation of tropical

       rain forest attributable to the international demand for tropical

       timber and domestic use as a fuel; deforestation contributing to loss

       of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and

       siltation of rivers and dams; scarcity of potable water

       natural hazards:

       locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

       international agreements:

       party to - Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,

       Climate Change

       Note:

       Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire

      @Angola, People

      Population: 9,803,576 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.67% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 45.43 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 18.55 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: −0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 145.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.77 years male: 43.72 years female: 47.92 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.48 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Ethnic divisions: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (est.) Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% Labor force: 2.783 million economically active by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry 15% (1985 est.)

      @Angola, Government

      Note:

       Civil war has been the norm since independence on 11 November 1975; a

       cease-fire lasted from 31 May 1991 until October 1992 when the

       insurgent National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)

       refused to accept its defeat in internationally monitored elections;

       fighting has since resumed throughout much of the countryside.

       Nevertheless, the two sides are negotiating the details for holding

       the second round of presidential elections.

       Names:

       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

       Digraph:

       AO

       Type:

       transitional government nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong

       presidential system

       Capital:

       Luanda

       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

       Independence:

       11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

       National holiday:

       Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

       Constitution:

       11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March

       1991, and 26 August 1992

       Legal system:

       based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently

       modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free

       markets

       Suffrage:

       18 years of age; universal

       Executive branch:

       chief of state:

       President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979)

       head of government:

       Prime Minister Marcolino Jose Carlos MOCO (since 2 December 1992)

       cabinet:

       Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

       Legislative branch:

       unicameral

       National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional):

       first nationwide, multiparty elections were held 29–30 September 1992

       with disputed results; further elections are being discussed

       Judicial branch:

       Supreme Court (Tribunal da Relacao)

       Political parties and leaders:

       Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose

       Eduardo DOS SANTOS, is the ruling party and has been