Angola's Official Name: A Country's True Identity

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country located in southwestern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa in terms of size and the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in both total area and population. Angola has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Paleolithic Age. The country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has since faced a variety of challenges, including a prolonged civil war and socioeconomic issues such as poverty and high maternal and child mortality rates. Today, Angola is known for its diverse natural landscapes, ranging from rainforests to savannas, and its abundant natural resources, including diamonds, metals, and petroleum.

Angola's official name is the Republic of Angola

The formation of Angola as a nation-state has its roots in the Kingdom of Kongo, which flourished in the 14th century and became a powerful force in the region through its involvement in the Atlantic slave trade with the Portuguese Empire. The Portuguese established their first trading post in the region in the 15th century, and their influence grew over time, eventually leading to the establishment of Angola as a Portuguese colony.

Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, marking the end of a protracted anti-colonial struggle. However, the country soon descended into a devastating civil war between competing nationalist movements. The civil war lasted for nearly 30 years and had a devastating impact on the country.

Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Angola has emerged as a relatively stable constitutional republic. The country is rich in natural resources, including minerals and petroleum, and has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. However, economic growth is uneven, and most of the nation's wealth is concentrated in a small portion of the population.

Angola is a culturally diverse country, with a variety of ethnic groups and indigenous customs and traditions. The official language is Portuguese, a legacy of the country's colonial past, but there are also numerous indigenous languages spoken throughout the country.

It is located in southwestern Africa

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is located in southwestern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa and the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in both total area and population. 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 north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country has a coastline of approximately 1,650 km along the Atlantic coast.

Angola has a diverse landscape, ranging from the semi-desert Atlantic littoral bordering Namibia's "Skeleton Coast" in the west to the rugged highlands and plateaus in the east and south. The country also includes the Cabinda exclave in the north, which borders the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Angola's climate is tropical, with two distinct seasons: the rainy season from October to April and the dry season, known as "cacimbo," from May to September. The coastal region has high humidity and temperatures above 23°C, while the interior region is divided into the North Zone with high rainfall and temperatures, the Altitude Zone with a dry climate and low temperatures, and the Southwest Zone with a semi-arid climate due to its proximity to the Namib Desert.

The country's main river is the Kwanza, which flows for over 1,000 km and is a source of hydropower. Other important rivers include the Cubango, Longa, Cuito, Cunene, Queve, Cuango, and Cuando.

Angola's location in southwestern Africa has shaped its history, culture, and economy. The country has a rich biodiversity, with various wildlife species and natural habitats such as rainforests, savannahs, and deserts. The country's natural resources, including minerals, petroleum, and fertile soils, have contributed to its economic growth and development.

Angola has a population of over 35 million people

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country in west-central Southern Africa with a population of over 35 million people. 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 a total area of 1,246,700 square kilometres (481,353 square miles) and a population density of 30 people per square kilometre (79 per square mile).

Angola's population is relatively young, with a median age of 16.5 years, and urban, with 68.1% of the population living in cities. Luanda, the capital and most populous city, is home to 6.5 million people, or 27% of the country's total population.

Angola's population is ethnically diverse, with the Ovimbundu, Ambundu, and Bakongo peoples being the largest ethnic groups. The country's culture reflects centuries of Portuguese influence, particularly in the predominance of the Portuguese language and the Catholic Church, intermingled with various indigenous customs and traditions.

Angola's economy is among the fastest-growing in the world, largely due to its vast mineral and petroleum reserves. However, economic growth is uneven, with wealth concentrated in a disproportionately small part of the population. Most Angolans have a low standard of living, with low life expectancy and high infant mortality rates.

The country has a presidential republic government

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. The country has a presidential republic government, with a multiparty democracy and an executive presidency composed of the President of the Republic, the National Assembly, the Government, and the Courts. The current president is Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, who has been in office since 26 September 2017.

The Republic of Angola's government is divided into three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is composed of the President, the Vice-Presidents, and the Council of Ministers, which is appointed by the President. The legislative branch is a unicameral legislature, the National Assembly of Angola, with 220 seats. The National Assembly is elected from multi-member province-wide and nationwide constituencies using party-list proportional representation. The legislative power rests with the 220 parliamentarians elected to the National Assembly.

The judicial branch is composed of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and the Court of Auditors. The President of the Republic, together with the parliament, appoints the majority of the members of the two highest bodies of the judiciary, namely the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. The President also appoints the members of the Court of Auditors, the Military Supreme Court, and the General-Attorney.

The Republic of Angola gained independence from Portugal on November 11, 1975, and adopted a new constitution in 2010, which outlines the government structure and the rights and duties of citizens. The legal system is based on Portuguese civil law and customary law and has recently been modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets.

Angola is rich in natural resources, including diamonds and oil

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country located in southwestern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa in terms of size, with an area of 1,246,700 km2. Angola has a diverse landscape, ranging from the semidesert Atlantic littoral bordering Namibia to the densely populated towns and cities of the northern coast. The country is rich in natural resources, including diamonds and oil, which have played a significant role in its economy and history.

Angola has large reserves of petroleum and natural gas, with production concentrated in the maritime zones off the Cabinda exclave and the Congo River estuary. Oil provides around half of the country's fiscal revenues, making it the largest source of revenue. Angola has become one of the largest exporters of petroleum in sub-Saharan Africa, and production has nearly tripled since independence. The quality of crude oil is generally good, with a low sulfur content.

In addition to its petroleum resources, Angola is also known for its diamond mining sector. The country is the third-largest producer of diamonds in Africa and has only explored about 40% of its diamond-rich territory. Diamonds are the second-largest export for Angola, and production is expected to increase in the coming years. The national diamond company, Endiama, holds a significant role in approving diamond concessions and licensing buyers.

Apart from diamonds and oil, Angola possesses a variety of other natural resources. There are large reserves of iron ore in the southwestern part of the country, as well as deposits of copper, manganese, gold, phosphates, uranium, feldspar, and platinum. The country also has significant hydroelectric potential, with most of its electricity coming from dams on major rivers.

The exploitation of natural resources has had both positive and negative impacts on Angola's economy and society. On the one hand, the oil and diamond industries have contributed significantly to the country's economic growth, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. On the other hand, there have been challenges such as corruption, human rights violations, and diamond smuggling. Additionally, the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002 disrupted the country's infrastructure and affected the development of other sectors like agriculture and tourism.

Overall, Angola's natural resources, particularly diamonds and oil, have played a pivotal role in shaping the country's economy and position in the region. The country continues to attract foreign investment and explore new opportunities to diversify its resource portfolio further.

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