Location 
The territory of the Republic of Angola is located on the western coast
of Austral Africa, south of the equator, bordered by the Republic of the
Congo on the north, on the east the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
and by Zambia, to the south by Namibia and to the west the Atlantic Ocean.
It also includes the enclave of Cabinda to the north, in between the Congo
and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Territory
Angola has a total surface area of 1,246,700 km2, and an Atlantic maritime
shoreline measuring 1650 km.
Its coastline is quite regular, having few bays and few capes.
The vast Angolan territory is divided into 18 provinces.
Climate
The climate is tropical in the north and subtropical in the
south, with temperate climates in the higher altitudes. There are two
distinct seasons: one hot and humid, in which the rainfall levels are
quite high, another is colder and dryer, called cacimbo.
Hydrografics
The hydrographical characteristics of Angola are directly related to altitude,
since the rivers flow downstream from the plateau zone and mountain ridge
to the lower areas.
The biggest and most navigable river is the Cuanza, measuring 1000 km.
The primary hydrographical basins are the rivers Zaire, Mbridge,
Cuanza (the largest), Queve or Cuvo, Cunene and Cuando.
Dilolo is the primary lake and Panguila and Muxima the lagoons.
Population
In Angola, a census has not been taken since 1970, therefore population
data, geographical distribution and yearly variation are not very precise.
Estimates from the Economit Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 1996 measured a total
of 11,9 million inhabitants, which represents a very low population density, of
nearly 9 to 10 inhabitants per km2.
General Information
- Official Language: Portuguese
- President: José Eduardo dos Santos
- Government: multi-party democracy with semi-presidential system constituted by the following branches of the State: President of the Republic, National Assembly, government and courts.
- Party in Power: MPLA
- Opposition/ principal party: UNITA
Cultural and Historical Information
- Ethnic Origins: mainly Bantu.
- Political Origin: Portuguese colony (500 years).
- Independence Day: November 11, 1975, after 14 years of civil war.
- First party in charge: MPLA
- First President: Agostinho Neto (1975-1979)
- First city founded: 1605 - Luanda
- First Democratic Elections: September 1992
- Primary National Languages: Umbundu, Kimbundu, kikongo, tchokwe
- Official Currency: Kwanza
- Primary Ports: Luanda, Namibe and Lobito.
- National Holidays: January 1 and 4, February 4, March 8, May 1 and 25, June 1, September 17, November 2 and 11 and December 25.
Source: Angola a Fabulous Country. Luis Palanque. LPE Internacional