Angola And The Gambia: Similarities And Differences Explored

Angola and Gambia are two different countries in Africa. Angola is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa, while Gambia is a country in West Africa. Angola is the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in both total area and population and is the seventh-largest country in Africa. On the other hand, Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland. Angola is about 110 times larger than Gambia in terms of area.

Geography and climate

Angola

Angola is located on the western or southwestern coast of Southern Africa, between Namibia and the Republic of the Congo. It is also bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia to the east. Angola's terrain features a sparsely watered and somewhat sterile coastal plain that extends inland from 31 to 99 miles. Slightly inland and parallel to the coast is a belt of hills and mountains, behind which lies a large plateau. The upland region forms one of Africa's largest watersheds. The coastal lowland rises from the sea in a series of low terraces, ranging in width from about 16 miles to more than 93 miles. The coast is mostly flat, with occasional low cliffs and bluffs of red sandstone. The Benguela Plateau and the coastal area in the immediate environs of Benguela and Lobito, the Bie Plateau, the Malanje Plateau, and a small section of the Hufla Plateau near the town of Lubango are among the most densely settled areas in Angola.

Angola has three principal natural regions: the coastal lowland, characterised by low plains and terraces; hills and mountains, rising inland from the coast into a great escarpment; and an area of high plains, called the high plateau (planalto), which extends eastward from the escarpment. The high plateau, with an altitude ranging from 3,900 to 5,900 feet, dominates Angola's terrain. The surface of the plateau is typically flat or rolling, but some areas reach heights of 8,200 feet and more.

Like the rest of tropical Africa, Angola experiences distinct, alternating rainy and dry seasons. In the north, the rainy season may last for up to seven months, usually from September to April, with a brief pause in January or February. In the south, the rainy season is shorter, beginning in November and lasting until February. The dry season (cacimbo) is often characterised by a heavy morning mist. In general, precipitation is higher in the north and interior areas and increases with altitude. Temperatures fall with distance from the equator and altitude but rise closer to the Atlantic Ocean. The coolest months are July and August, in the middle of the dry season, when frost may form at higher altitudes.

The Gambia

The Gambia is a small and narrow country in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal. The Gambia River forms the basis of the country's border. The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa and is almost an enclave of Senegal. The country extends inland for about 200 miles and is about 30 miles wide along the coast, narrowing to 15 miles at its eastern border. From sea level, interior elevations rise to 112 feet. The Gambia River, which begins in the Futa Jallon highlands in Guinea and empties into the Atlantic Ocean, is the country's dominant feature. The river is fringed with mangrove swamps for about 170 miles inland, followed by open savanna and, in places, red ironstone cliffs. The river is tidal throughout most of the country, and the intrusion of saltwater ranges from 90 miles upriver in the wet season to nearly 160 miles in the dry season.

The Gambia experiences a Sahelian climate, with a long, dry season (November to May) and a short, wet season (June to October). Average temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C during the dry season and 23°C to 33°C during the wet season. The beginning and end of the rains are marked by high temperatures and high humidity, while the dry season is known for its dusty and dry trade winds (harmattan) blowing in from the central Sahara. The Gambia's subtropical climate is influenced by its proximity to the ocean, with cooler temperatures along the coast due to the ocean's cooling effect. Rainfall varies from year to year, with an annual mean of 48 inches in the west to 34 inches upriver.

History and colonisation

Angola and Gambia have distinct histories and were colonised by different European powers. Here is a detailed overview of the history and colonisation of each country:

Angola

The history of Angola dates back to the arrival of the San hunter-gatherer societies and the rule of Bantu states such as the Kingdom of Kongo and Ndongo. In the 15th century, Portuguese colonists began trading, and in 1575, the Portuguese colony of Angola was officially founded with the arrival of Paulo Dias de Novais, who came with a hundred families and four hundred soldiers. Luanda, established in 1575, was granted city status in 1605.

The Portuguese gradually took control of the coastal areas through a series of treaties and wars throughout the 16th century, and their interest in Angola quickly turned to the slave trade. By the 19th century, Angola was the largest source of slaves for the Americas, and slavery was not abolished until 1836. In the 19th century, Portugal slowly established itself in the interior, and "effective occupation" was only achieved by the 1920s.

Angola became a province of Portugal in 1951 and was granted independence in 1975 after the Alvor Accords, which handed power to a coalition of three nationalist movements: the MPLA, UNITA, and the FNLA. However, ideological clashes led to armed conflict between these movements, resulting in a long period of civil war that lasted until 2002.

Gambia

The Gambia, on the other hand, has a history closely tied to that of neighbouring Senegal, and the region was known as Senegambia until the late 19th century. The first verifiable written accounts of the region come from Arab traders in the 9th and 10th centuries, and it was dominated by the Mali Empire in medieval times. In the 15th century, the region was visited by the Portuguese, who attempted to settle on the river banks, but no significant settlement was established.

The Gambia became a site of competition among European powers, with the English, French, Dutch, Swedish, and Courlanders all attempting to establish trade or settlements. The English presence in the region began in the 17th century, and the struggle between England and France for supremacy over the Gambia and Senegal lasted for a century and a half, from 1677 until the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, when British rights to the region were recognised.

The Gambia Colony and Protectorate was the British colonial administration from 1821 until independence in 1965. During this period, the British extended their territorial acquisitions beyond St. Mary's Island through treaties with native chiefs. The economy of the Gambia, like other African countries at the time, was heavily oriented towards agriculture, particularly groundnut production.

The push for self-governance gained momentum in the mid-20th century, and the House of Representatives was established in 1960. Full internal self-governance was achieved in 1963, and independence was declared in 1965, with Dawda Jawara as the first Prime Minister. The Gambia became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1970, and Jawara was elected as the first president.

Government and politics

Angola is a presidential republic, with a multi-party system. The President of the Republic is both the head of state and the head of government. The President is advised by a Council of Ministers, which, together with the President, form the national executive power. Legislative power rests with the 220 parliamentarians elected to the National Assembly. The President, together with the parliament, appoints the majority of the members of the judiciary. The judiciary is made up of the Court of Auditors and the Supreme Military Court.

The Angolan government is composed of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Political power has been concentrated in the presidency with the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). The MPLA has ruled Angola for almost 50 years.

In 2022, the ruling party, MPLA, won another outright majority and President Joao Lourenco won a second five-year term. However, there are concerns about democratic values under threat in Angola. Human rights organizations have reported that citizens who criticize the government's policies are subjected to discrimination, suppression, and persecution.

Gambia, on the other hand, is also a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The President is the head of state and government and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. There is no restriction on the number of terms. The President appoints the members of the Cabinet.

The Gambian legislature, the National Assembly, has 53 members, 48 of whom are elected for a five-year term, and 4 of whom are appointed. The Gambian constitution, ratified in 1996 and effective in 1997, guarantees universal suffrage for citizens aged 18 and above.

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) dominated Gambian politics for nearly 30 years until a coup in 1994. Since 1996, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction has been the dominant party.

The Gambia has experienced democratic gains with consecutive free and fair elections and improvements in human rights and governance. However, there are concerns about corruption, security sector reform, and declining enthusiasm among the population.

Demographics and culture

Angola and The Gambia are two distinct countries with different demographics and cultures. Here is an overview of the demographics and culture of each country:

Angola:

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country in west-central Southern Africa. It is the second-largest Lusophone country in both total area and population and the seventh-largest country in Africa. As of 2023, Angola's population is estimated at 37.2 million. The country has a diverse range of ethnic groups, with the three main groups being the Ovimbundu (37%), Ambundu (25%), and Bakongo (11%). The official language of Angola is Portuguese, but several Bantu and other African languages are also widely spoken. The largest religious group in Angola is Catholicism, with approximately half of the population adhering to it. Angola's culture reflects centuries of Portuguese influence, including the predominance of the Portuguese language and the Catholic Church, blended with various indigenous customs and traditions. The country has a rich cultural heritage with music, dance, and literature playing significant roles.

The Gambia:

The Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country in continental Africa, with a population of approximately 2.77 million people in 2024. The population is predominantly young, with a median age of 19.9 years. The country is religiously diverse, with Muslims making up 96.4% and Christians 3.5% of the population. The official language of The Gambia is English. The Gambian culture is influenced by its diverse ethnic groups and historical trade connections. The country has a rich literary tradition, with oral literature and griots playing a significant role. The music and dance of The Gambia are also closely linked to the traditions of its neighbouring country, Senegal.

Economy and trade

Angola and The Gambia are two distinct countries with different economies and trade patterns. Here is an overview of their economies and trade:

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a large country in Southern Africa with a long coastline and central plateau. It has a population of over 33 million people and is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Angola's economy has been heavily influenced by the effects of decades of conflict in the late 20th century, including the war for independence from Portugal and the subsequent civil war. The country's economic fortunes have been tied to global oil demand, resulting in volatile growth and high levels of poverty and inequality. Oil production and exports are vital to Angola's economy, contributing significantly to its GDP and export earnings. However, the country is trying to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on the oil sector.

Angola's economic growth in 2023 was revised down to 0.8%short of expectations due to a major maintenance shutdown in the oil industry. The non-oil sector also slowed down, and the country faced challenges in generating enough jobs for its growing working-age population. However, Angola's economy is expected to rebound, driven by non-oil sectors, and the government is working to promote economic diversification. Angola's other economic activities include commercial agriculture, mining, and the production of raw materials.

The Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, is the smallest country in continental Africa, surrounded mostly by Senegal and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It has a population of around 2.5 million people and is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. The Gambia's economy is much smaller than Angola's and is dominated by farming, fishing, and tourism. Agriculture accounts for a significant portion of its GDP and employs a large percentage of the population. However, the country faces challenges such as rising hunger, poverty, and malnutrition, with agriculture being vulnerable to climate-related crises.

The Gambia's economy has grown in recent years, with a 5.3% growth rate in 2023 driven mainly by agriculture and industry. The country has a liberal, market-based economy with low import duties and minimal administrative procedures. It has a diverse range of trading partners, including Senegal, the United States, and Japan. The Gambia's exports include agricultural products, fisheries, and re-exports from its ocean port. The country faces challenges in reducing poverty and improving social protection, with efforts being made to strengthen transparency and accountability in governance.

Frequently asked questions