Angola's Unique Traits: A Cultural And Geographic Overview

Angola is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It is the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in both total area and population and is the seventh-largest country in Africa. It is bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and east, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Angola's landscape is diverse, ranging from the ultra-desert of the Namib, through arid savannas of the coastal plains to a biologically diverse transition up the steep western Angolan Escarpment. Congolian rainforests are found in Cabinda and along the northern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with outliers penetrating southwards along the Angolan Escarpment, or up the tributaries of the Congo Basin. Above the escarpment, high mountains rise to 2,620 meters above sea level, with isolated remnants of Afromontane forests and grasslands. The country's three principal natural regions are 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, which extends eastward from the escarpment.

Angola's Geography and Climate

Angola is a country located on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa and the twenty-second largest in the world, with a total land size of 1,246,700 km2 (481,400 sq mi). Angola is bordered by Namibia to the south, Zambia to the southeast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and east, the Republic of the Congo to the northwest, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country consists of a sparsely watered and somewhat sterile coastal plain that extends inland for a distance varying from 50 to 160 km (31 to 99 mi). Slightly inland and parallel to the coast is a belt of hills and mountains, behind which lies a large plateau.

Angola has a tropical climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from September to May in the north and from November to February in the south, with the dry season, known as "Cacimbo," occurring from June to September. The climate is characterised by high humidity and hot temperatures, with average annual temperatures ranging from 19°C to 26°C. The warmest and rainiest region is the north, while the coldest is the southwest. The coastal plain experiences lower precipitation due to the cold Benguela Current, which flows northward along the coast and reduces rainfall.

The landscape of Angola is diverse, ranging from the semidesert Atlantic littoral bordering Namibia's "Skeleton Coast" to the densely populated rainforest interior and the rugged highlands of the south. The coastal plain rises abruptly to the east in a series of escarpments, leading to the rugged highlands. The highest point in the country is Mount Moco, at 2,620 meters. The central plateau, which covers the eastern two-thirds of the country, is largely buried under deep deposits of infertile windblown Kalahari sands.

Angola is rich in natural resources, including precious gems, metals, and petroleum. The country has four principal natural regions: the arid coastal lowland, stretching from Namibia to Luanda; the green hills and mountains rising inland from the coast; the high inland plains of dry savanna, known as the high plateau; and the rainforest in the north and in Cabinda. The Zambezi River and several tributaries of the Congo River have their sources in Angola, and the country's rivers flow in diverse patterns, with some flowing west to the Atlantic Ocean and others feeding into the Zambezi or Okavango River systems.

Angola's History and Politics

Angola has a long and complex history, with its formation as a nation-state originating from the Kingdom of Kongo, which was the hegemonic state of a number of other Kikongo-speaking kingdoms that flourished in and after the 14th century. The Portuguese first landed in what is today northern Angola in 1482, and their interest in the region quickly turned to the slave trade. By the 19th century, Angola was the largest source of slaves for the Americas.

Portugal granted independence to Angola on November 11, 1975, without establishing a new government. The country descended into a 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 a presidential regime, in which the President of the Republic is also head of state and 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 judiciary is made up of the Court of Auditors and the Supreme Military Court.

Angola's history has been marked by a struggle for power, with competing movements vying for control of the country. This has resulted in a devastating civil war and a prolonged humanitarian crisis. The country also faces huge social and economic problems, with high poverty rates and blatant social inequality. However, Angola has vast mineral and petroleum reserves, and its economy is among the fastest-growing in the world.

Angola's People and Culture

Present-day Angolan culture is mostly native Bantu, mixed with Portuguese culture. Angola is a multicultural and multiethnic society, with the diverse ethnic communities maintaining their own cultural traits, traditions, and native languages or dialects. The three dominant ethnic groups are the Ovimbundu, Ambundu, and Bakongo. Other groups include the Avambo, Chokwe, and Mbundu.

The official language of Angola is Portuguese, but for many black Angolans, it is a second or even third language. Angola's culture reflects centuries of Portuguese influence, with the predominance of the Portuguese language and the Catholic Church, intermingled with a variety of indigenous customs and traditions.

The Angolan people have a rich artistic heritage, with wooden masks and sculptures playing an important role in cultural rituals. Each ethno-linguistic group in Angola has its own unique artistic traits. Angolan artisans work with a variety of mediums, including wood, bronze, ivory, malachite, and ceramics.

One of the most famous pieces of Angolan art is the Cokwe thinker, a masterpiece of harmony and symmetry. The Lunda-Cokwe in the northeastern part of Angola is also known for its superior plastic arts. Other signature pieces of Angolan art include the Mwnaa-Pwo female mask and the polychromatic Kalelwa, Cikungu, and Cihongo masks.

The Bakongo, one of the major ethnic groups, are a matriarchal tribe, meaning the women hold the authority and power.

Angola's Economy and Natural Resources

Angola's economy is heavily influenced by its history of conflict, including its war for independence from Portugal and the subsequent civil war. The country's economy is largely driven by the production of raw materials and cheap labour. Angola's main natural resources include petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, and uranium.

Petroleum is the cornerstone of Angola's economy, accounting for over 90% of exports by value and 64% of government revenue in 2017. The country has an estimated 9 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves. Angola is the largest producer of petroleum in sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing Nigeria in the 2000s. The sector is dominated by the Sonangol Group, a conglomerate owned by the Angolan government.

Angola is also a significant diamond producer, being the third-largest in Africa. However, the industry has been plagued by corruption, human rights violations, and diamond smuggling, which has deterred foreign investment. The National Diamond Company (Emprêsa Nacional de Diamantes—Endiama) is responsible for approving diamond concessions and licensing buyers.

Agriculture is another important sector in Angola, with a third of the population relying on subsistence farming. The main crops include cassava, banana, maize, sweet potato, potato, and pineapple. Angola also has a significant fishing industry, benefiting from the rich fishing grounds along its southern coast.

In recent years, Angola has made efforts to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment. The country has abundant untapped natural gas resources, with proven reserves of 11 trillion cubic feet. The government is also prioritizing refinery development to reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum. Additionally, Angola has rich reserves of iron ore, as well as other minerals such as manganese, copper, gold, granite, marble, and uranium.

However, Angola faces several economic challenges, including high production costs, restrictions on foreign exchange, and a difficult business environment with many barriers for investors and operators. The country's infrastructure, including roads, railways, and imports, is also underdeveloped, hindering the transportation of goods and manpower.

Angola's Biodiversity and Wildlife

Angola boasts an incredibly diverse array of flora and fauna, with a rich natural heritage that is invaluable to the country. This biodiversity is not only a source of national pride but also a potential driver of economic growth through eco-tourism.

The country is home to over 300 species of mammals, including rare species such as the giant sable antelope, the black-faced lion, and the wild dog. Angola's bird life is equally impressive, with over 900 recorded species, 14 of which are endemic to the country. These include the Angolan cave chat and the black-headed bee-eater.

In addition to its fauna, Angola has a vast array of plant species, many of which are unique to the country. One such example is the Welwitchia mirabilis, a plant species endemic to the Namib Desert that can live for over a thousand years. The country also boasts a diverse range of trees, including the Angolan muninga and the African rosewood, which are unfortunately disappearing due to deforestation.

Angola's biodiversity is under threat from various human activities and extreme weather events. Habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade have put many species at risk of extinction. Climate change has also contributed to more frequent droughts and floods, which could have devastating effects on the country's unique ecosystems.

Conservation efforts are crucial to protecting Angola's biodiversity and safeguarding its future. By intensifying protection measures and addressing the root causes of these threats, Angola can preserve its natural heritage and ensure the survival of its incredible wildlife for future generations.

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