Angola is a country in the southern hemisphere, located in west-central Southern Africa. It is officially called the Republic of Angola and has a population of roughly 37.2 million people. The capital and most populous city is Luanda, which is 863.67 miles (1,389.94 km) south of the equator. Angola has embassies in various countries, including the United States, Japan, and Washington, D.C.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Hemisphere | Southern |
Distance from the equator | 863.67 miles (1,389.94 km) south of the equator |
What You'll Learn
- Angola is located 863.67 miles (1,389.94 km) south of the equator
- Angola is officially the Republic of Angola
- The US Embassy in Angola is located in Luanda
- Angola is a member of the UN, African Union, Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and the Southern African Development Community
- Angola's capital and most populous city is Luanda
Angola is located 863.67 miles (1,389.94 km) south of the equator
Angola is a country in west-central Southern Africa. It is officially called the Republic of Angola and is the continent's seventh-largest country by area. Angola is located 863.67 miles (1,389.94 km) south of the equator, placing it in the southern hemisphere.
The country has a rich history, with human habitation dating back to the Paleolithic Age. Its formation as a nation-state can be traced to the Kingdom of Kongo, which flourished in the 14th century and became a powerful entity through its involvement in the Atlantic slave trade with the Portuguese Empire.
Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after a protracted anti-colonial struggle. However, the country soon descended into a devastating civil war between competing movements. This conflict ended in 2002, and Angola has since emerged as a relatively stable constitutional republic.
Angola is a culturally diverse nation with strong Portuguese influences. It is the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in terms of both area and population. The country has vast mineral and petroleum reserves, contributing to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
Luanda, the capital and most populous city, is located on the Atlantic coast. Angola's geography is characterised by distinct rainy and dry seasons, with rainfall being higher in the north. The country's terrain consists of coastal plains, highlands, and plateaus, making it the 22nd largest country in the world by area.
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Angola is officially the Republic of Angola
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 second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in both total area and population. The capital and most populous city is Luanda.
The formation of Angola as a nation-state originates from the Kingdom of Kongo, the hegemonic state of a number of other Kikongo-speaking kingdoms that flourished in and after the 14th century. The Kingdom of Kongo became extremely wealthy and powerful through establishing the Atlantic slave trade with the Portuguese Empire. Its first explorers established relations with Kongo in 1483, and additional migrants gradually began building coastal settlements and trading posts.
The banning of the slave trade in the 19th century severely disrupted Kongo's undiversified economic system. European settlers gradually began to establish themselves in the interior. The Portuguese colony that became Angola did not achieve its present borders until the early 20th century. There had been strong resistance by native groups such as the Cuamato, the Kwanyama, and the Mbunda.
After a protracted anti-colonial struggle (1961-1974), Angola achieved independence in 1975 as a one-party Republic. But competing movements still struggled for power in the new nation. The country descended into a devastating civil war the same year, between the ruling People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba; the insurgent National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, an originally Maoist and later anti-communist group supported by the United States and South Africa; and the militant organization National Liberation Front of Angola, backed by Zaire.
The MPLA stayed in power and since the end of the civil war in 2002, Angola has emerged as a relatively stable constitutional republic. Angola has vast mineral and petroleum reserves. Its economy is among the fastest-growing in the world, especially since the end of the civil war. However, most Angolans have a low standard of living; life expectancy is among the lowest in the world, while infant mortality is among the highest.
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The US Embassy in Angola is located in Luanda
The US Embassy in Luanda plays a crucial role in fostering relations between the United States and Angola. It is responsible for diplomatic activities, promoting cooperation, and providing assistance to American citizens in Angola. The Embassy actively engages in initiatives to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
One notable initiative is the US-Angola Energy Security Dialogue, where the Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, Geoffrey R. Pyatt, visited Luanda to discuss energy security and transition with Angolan authorities. This dialogue underscores the importance of energy cooperation between the two countries.
The Embassy also facilitates educational and cultural exchanges through programs like the Mandela Washington Fellowship. This program enables Angolan scholars to deepen their knowledge in American universities, fostering a mutual understanding and strengthening the educational ties between the US and Angola.
Furthermore, the Embassy is committed to ensuring the safety and security of American citizens in Angola. It provides emergency assistance and regularly issues travel advisories, such as the Level 2 advisory, urging travellers to exercise increased caution due to the potential risks of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions.
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Angola is a member of the UN, African Union, Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and the Southern African Development Community
Angola is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and the Southern African Development Community.
Angola is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa and the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in both total area and population. The capital and most populous city is Luanda.
Angola is a founding member state of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), also known as the Lusophone Commonwealth. The CPLP is an international organisation and political association of Lusophone nations across five continents, where Portuguese is an official language. The CPLP was founded in 1996 in Lisbon by Angola and six other nations. The CPLP currently has nine full member states and 33 associate observers.
Angola has been a member of the United Nations since 1975, the year it gained independence. It was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2014 and 2015.
Angola is also a member of the African Union, which promotes cooperation and integration between countries in Africa.
Angola is further a member of the Southern African Development Community, with which it has participated in peace missions in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.
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Angola's capital and most populous city is Luanda
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. Luanda is the capital and most populous city of Angola. It is the administrative centre, the chief seaport, and the major industrial, cultural, and urban centre of Angola.
Luanda was founded in January 1576 as São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda by Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais. It served as the centre of the slave trade to Brazil before the institution was prohibited.
Luanda is divided into two parts: the Baixa de Luanda (lower Luanda, the old city) and the Cidade Alta (upper city or the new part). Luanda is the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishop and is also the location of most of Angola's educational institutions.
The inhabitants of Luanda are primarily members of African ethnic groups, mainly Ambundu, Ovimbundu, and Bakongo. The official and the most widely used language is Portuguese, although several Bantu languages are also used, chiefly Kimbundu, Umbundu, and Kikongo.
Luanda has been ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world for expatriates. The city has a thriving building industry, an effect of the nationwide economic boom experienced since 2002, when political stability returned with the end of the civil war.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Angola is 863.67 miles (1,389.94 km) south of the equator, in the southern hemisphere.
Yes, the Embassy of the Republic of Angola is located in Washington, D.C.
Yes, the US Embassy is located in Luanda, Angola.
The capital of Angola is Luanda.