Angola's Southern Connection: Exploring Regional Ties

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa and the twenty-second largest in the world. Angola is bordered by Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north-east, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Angola has a rich history, home to some of the largest historical kingdoms in Africa, such as the Kingdom of Kongo and the Kingdom of Ndongo. The area now known as Angola was first inhabited around 25,000 BCE. The name Angola comes from the word ngola, an iron object that symbolised kingship among the Mbundu and Lunda people.

Angola was an overseas territory of Portugal from the 16th century until it gained independence in 1975. An intense civil war took place after Angola's independence, lasting from 1975 to 2002. Angola is now a relatively stable constitutional republic with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Angola is bordered by Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean

Angola is a country in southwestern Africa with a coastline on the South Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is bordered by Namibia to the south, Zambia to the southeast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and northeast, and the Republic of the Congo to the northwest.

The Republic of the Congo borders the small Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, which is separated from the rest of Angola by a strip of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola is 2,646 km (1,644 mi) long and consists of two non-contiguous sections. The border between the Republic of the Congo and Cabinda is 225 km (140 mi) long and runs from the Atlantic coast to the tripoint with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the mainland of Angola is 2,421 km (1,504 mi) long and runs from the Atlantic coast to the tripoint with Zambia.

Angola is the seventh-largest country in Africa and the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in the world in terms of both total area and population. It is officially known as the Republic of Angola.

Angola is a former Portuguese colony

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country in southwestern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa and the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in the world in terms of both total area and population.

The Portuguese first landed in what is now northern Angola in 1482, encountering the Kingdom of the Congo. They gradually took control of the coastal area through a series of treaties and wars throughout the 16th century. The Portuguese colony of Angola was founded in 1575 when Paulo Dias de Novais arrived with a hundred families of colonists and four hundred soldiers. Luanda, the capital and most populous city of Angola, was established in the same year and was granted the status of city in 1605. Benguela was fortified in 1587 and became a township in 1617.

The Portuguese interest in Angola quickly turned to the slave trade. By the 19th century, Angola was the largest source of slaves for the Americas. The banning of the slave trade in the 19th century severely disrupted the economy of the Kingdom of Kongo, which was highly dependent on the slave trade. European settlers gradually began to establish themselves in the interior.

Portugal secured administrative control over the interior in the early 20th century. However, there was strong resistance from native groups such as the Cuamato, the Kwanyama, and the Mbunda. The present borders of Angola were not achieved until the early 20th century.

After a protracted anti-colonial struggle from 1961 to 1974, Angola achieved independence in 1975 as a one-party Republic. However, competing movements still struggled for power in the new nation, and the country descended into a devastating civil war in the same year. The civil war ended in 2002, and Angola has since emerged as a relatively stable constitutional republic.

Angola's culture has been heavily influenced by Portuguese culture, especially in language and religion, and the culture of the indigenous ethnic groups of Angola, predominantly Bantu culture. It is the largest and wealthiest of the Portuguese-speaking African states, and Portuguese influences have been felt for some 500 years.

Angola has a rich history, including the Kingdom of Kongo and the Kingdom of Ndongo

The Kingdom of Kongo was a kingdom in Central Africa, located in present-day northern Angola, western Democratic Republic of the Congo, southern Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. It was founded around 1390 and was an independent state until 1862, after which it became a vassal state of the Kingdom of Portugal.

The Kingdom of Ndongo, 1515-1909, was an early-modern African state located in the highlands between the Lukala and Kwanza Rivers, in what is now Angola. It was one of several vassal states to the Kingdom of Kongo and was ruled by a king called the Ngola.

The history of these kingdoms is closely intertwined with the history of the Portuguese Empire. Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão reached the Kingdom of Kongo in 1483 and established relations with the Kingdom of Ndongo the following year. The Portuguese referred to the entire area as "Angola," derived from the title "ngola" held by the kings of Ndongo and Matamba.

The Portuguese established settlements, forts, and trading posts along the coast, with their primary early trading post in Soyo. In 1575, they founded the city of Luanda, which later became the capital of Portuguese Angola. The Portuguese colony that became Angola did not achieve its present borders until the early 20th century, facing strong resistance from native groups.

The economy of the Kingdom of Kongo was initially based on industries such as copper, ivory, salt, and hides, with slaves playing a minor role. However, the development of Portuguese sugar-growing colonies led to a growing demand for slaves, and the slave trade became the primary economic sector for the kingdom.

The slave trade also played a significant role in the relations between the Kingdom of Ndongo and the Portuguese. The Portuguese sought to gain control of the slave trade in the region, leading to conflicts with the Kingdom of Ndongo, including the First Portuguese-Ndongo War in 1579.

The Kingdom of Kongo faced internal struggles over succession and external threats from rival warriors known as the Jagas. In exchange for Portuguese assistance in restoring the kingdom, Álvaro I allowed the Portuguese to settle in Luanda and create the colony of Angola.

The Kingdom of Ndongo also experienced internal conflicts and sought military assistance from the Portuguese, which led to further entanglements. The complex dynamics between the kingdoms and the Portuguese resulted in shifting alliances, wars, and power struggles throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Battle of Mbwila in 1665 marked a significant turning point, as the Portuguese defeated the Kingdom of Kongo, killing the reigning king, and the kingdom ceased to function as a unified entity. The Kingdom of Ndongo also faced internal strife and was eventually incorporated into the Portuguese colony of Angola.

Angola has a diverse population, with Ovimbundu, Ambundu, Bakongo, and Bakongo people forming the largest ethnic groups

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country in Southern Africa with a diverse population of roughly 35 million people. The country is home to a variety of ethnic groups, with Ovimbundu, Ambundu, Bakongo, and Bakongo people forming the largest groups.

The Ovimbundu people, who speak Umbundu, make up around a third of Angola's population. They inhabit the Bié Plateau and can also be found in the cities of Benguela, Lobito, and Luanda. Traditionally a rural people, many Ovimbundu migrated to urban areas during the 20th century in search of employment.

The Ambundu, or Mbundu, people constitute around a quarter of the population and speak Kimbundu. They are concentrated around the capital city of Luanda and the north-central provinces, as well as the Malanje highlands. While some Ambundu still speak their native language, many, especially among the younger generation, speak Portuguese as their first language.

The Bakongo people, also known as the Kongo or Esikongo, account for about one-eighth of the population and speak Kikongo. They are found in the far north of the country, including the city of Luanda, as well as in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo.

The Bakongo are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and their involvement in businesses, syncretic churches, and political movements. They predominate in Angola's oil-rich north-west, including the province of Cabinda, which holds a significant portion of the country's oil wealth.

In addition to these three main groups, Angola is also home to numerous other ethnic communities, including the Chokwe, Lunda, Ganguela, Ovambo, Herero, and Xindonga, as well as smaller groups such as the San and Kwisi. The country also has a significant population of people of mixed European and African descent, known as mestiços, who make up about 7% of the population.

Angola's diverse population reflects its history, which includes centuries of Portuguese colonial influence, various indigenous customs and traditions, and the impact of migration and trade. The country's ethnic makeup has played a role in its politics, with different communities and geographical regions influencing the country's factionalism and civil conflicts.

Angola has a growing economy, driven primarily by oil production

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country in Southern Africa with a growing economy driven primarily by oil production. It is the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in both total area and population and is the seventh-largest country in Africa. Angola has an exclave province, the province of Cabinda, that borders the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has been a member of OPEC since 2007.

Angola's economy is among the fastest-growing in the world, especially since the end of the civil war in 2002. The country has vast mineral and petroleum reserves, with the petroleum industry accounting for almost 75% of the country's revenues. Angola is the second-largest oil producer in Africa and has an average daily oil production of approximately 1.16 million barrels, with a peak of 2 million barrels per day in 2010. The country has an estimated 9 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and 11 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves.

The Angolan government has implemented various measures to boost the oil sector, including regulatory reforms, restructuring of the National Oil Company Sonangol, and the creation of the National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG) to regulate upstream operations. Angola has also attracted foreign investment in the oil sector, with major international oil companies dominating the market.

In addition to oil, Angola's economy is also supported by its diamond industry. The country has diamonds, gold, copper, and other natural resources. However, high poverty rates, social inequality, and economic problems persist due to the country's history of armed conflict and authoritarian rule.

Angola's growing economy has led to improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The standard of living has increased, with a rise in life expectancy and a decrease in child mortality rates. However, social and economic inequality remains a challenge, with a disproportionate concentration of wealth among a small portion of the population.

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