Angola's Surface Area: Understanding The Country's Geographical Extent

Angola, officially the Republic of 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 has a total area of 1,246,700 square kilometres (481,351 square miles) and a coastline of 1,610 kilometres (1,000 miles) on the South Atlantic Ocean. Comparatively, the area is slightly less than twice the size of Texas. The capital of Angola, Luanda, is located on the north-central coastline. The highest point in Angola is Morro de Moco at 2,620 meters (8,596 feet). Angola also includes the exclave of Cabinda.

Angola's size and geographical location

Angola is a large country located on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. With a surface area of 1,246,700 square kilometres, it is the seventh-largest country in Africa and the 22nd largest in the world. Angola is roughly square in shape and bordered by Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north-east, the Republic of the Congo to the north-west, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country's diverse landscapes include the Namib Desert, arid savannas, rainforests, and the Angolan Escarpment.

The coastal lowlands of Angola, lying below 200 metres in altitude, occupy 5% of the country's land surface. This is followed by a stepped and mountainous escarpment rising to 1,000 metres (23%) and an extensive interior plateau of 1,000-1,500 metres (65%). The coastal lowlands are composed of fossiliferous marine sediments and, in the north, deep red Pleistocene sands. The escarpment zone is complex, comprising crystalline rocks such as granites, gneisses, schists, quartzites, and amphibolites. The marginal mountain chain, mostly at 1,800-2,200 metres, includes the Benguela, Huambo, and Huila Highlands, with the highest peaks reaching 2,620 metres at Mount Moco.

Angola's river systems fall into two categories. The first comprises coastal rivers that drain the central and western highlands, flowing rapidly westwards. Most of these rivers are relatively short and highly erosive, carrying high sediment loads. The second category includes the vast interior plateaus, drained by nine large hydrographic basins, seven of which are transnational. These rivers, including the Cuanza, the largest river entirely within Angola, drain the Kalahari Sands and are slow-moving and crystal clear.

Angola's climate is tropical and heavily influenced by the seasonal movements of the rain-bearing intertropical convergence zone and the cold Benguela Current off the coast. The rainy season lasts from September to May in the north and from December to March in the south, with rainfall decreasing rapidly from north to south and towards the coast. The Maiombe forest in Cabinda receives the highest rainfall, about 1,800 mm per year, while the southernmost part of the coastal plain gets as little as 50 mm. Temperatures generally decrease with distance from the equator, proximity to the coast, and increasing elevation.

The country's climate and weather conditions

Angola has a total of five different climate zones. The coastal areas have a warm desert climate, which transitions into a warm steppe climate inland and in the northern part of the coast. The north of Angola is the only area with a tropical savannah climate. The country has roughly two seasons: a dry and cool winter, and a warm and humid summer.

The winter months in Angola are from May to October, with the average temperature on the coast being 16°C. The summer months are warm and humid, with the wet season running from October to May, and sometimes bringing heavy rainfall to the north. April is usually the wettest month. The average temperature in the summer is 21°C.

The diverse climate zones in Angola offer a variety of experiences for travellers. The cool sea breeze and desert landscapes along the coast contrast with the lush greenery and abundant wildlife of the northern tropical savannah. Inland, the warm steppe climate offers unique vegetation and cultural experiences.

The country's rich biodiversity is evident in its national parks, such as Kissama and Iona National Parks, which are great destinations for wildlife viewing and eco-tourism. The average annual temperature in Angola is 27.6°C, and the country receives over 1750 hours of sunshine per year. The water temperature is pleasant for bathing, averaging 24°C.

The climate in Angola can be described as tropical and humid, with high humidity and hot temperatures throughout the year. The warmest and rainiest region is the north, while the coldest is the southwest. The rainy season typically lasts from November to April, with April 2016 recording the highest temperature of 35.6°C. The month with the highest average temperature was January 1952, with an average of 23.7°C.

The coldest day in recorded history was in August 2013, when the temperature dropped to 16°C. The coldest winter on record was in 1968, with an average temperature of 18.9°C. The climate varies across the country, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. In the north, the rainy season can last up to seven months, usually from September to April, with brief breaks in January or February.

In the south, the rainy season starts later, in November, and lasts until February. The dry season, known as cacimbo, is characterised by heavy morning mist. Precipitation is generally higher in the north, and it increases with altitude and distance from the equator. Temperatures tend to be lower at higher altitudes and farther from the Atlantic Ocean. For example, the average annual temperature in Soyo, at the mouth of the Congo River, is about 26°C, while in Huambo on the central plateau, it is under 16°C.

The coolest months are typically July and August, during the middle of the dry season, when frost may form at higher altitudes. Angola's diverse climate and weather conditions provide a range of experiences for its inhabitants and visitors alike.

Angola's topography and geomorphology

Coastal Lowland

The coastal lowland is characterised by low plains and terraces that rise from the sea in a series of low terraces. The region varies in width from about 25km near Benguela to more than 150km in the Cuanza River Valley, just south of the capital, Luanda. The coastal lowland is markedly different from Angola's highland mass, with the Atlantic Ocean's cold, northward-flowing Benguela Current substantially reducing precipitation along the coast. This makes the region relatively arid or nearly so south of Benguela, where it forms the northern extension of the Namib Desert. Portions of the northern coastal plain are covered by thick brush.

Hills and Mountains

The belt of hills and mountains parallels the coast at distances ranging from 20km to 100km inland. The Cuanza River divides the zone into two parts. The northern part rises gradually from the coastal zone to an average elevation of 500m, with crests as high as 1,000m to 1,800m. South of the Cuanza River, the hills rise sharply from the coastal lowlands and form a high escarpment, extending from a point east of Luanda and running south through Namibia. The highest peak is Mount Moco (2,620m), and the escarpment is steepest in the far south in the Serra da Chela mountain range.

High Plateau

The high plateau (planalto) lies to the east of the hills and mountains and dominates Angola's terrain. The surface of the plateau is typically flat or rolling, but parts of the Benguela Plateau and the Humpata Highland area of the Hufla Plateau in the south reach heights of 2,500m and more. The Malanje Plateau to the north rarely exceeds 1,000m in height. 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 have long been among the most densely settled areas in Angola.

The biodiversity and ecosystems of Angola

Angola is a biologically diverse country with a wide array of flora, fauna, and ecosystems. It is the second most ecologically diverse country in Africa, with representatives of seven of Africa's nine biomes and 15 of the continent's ecoregions. Its biodiversity and ecosystems are, however, poorly researched and documented.

Angola's Biodiversity

Angola's biodiversity is shaped by its geographic location, geological history, climate, and physiography. Its terrain ranges from the ultra-desert of the Namib through arid savannas of the coastal plains to biologically diverse transitions up the steep western Angolan Escarpment. The Congolian rainforests are found in Cabinda and along the northern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with outliers extending southwards along the Angolan Escarpment or up the Congo Basin tributaries. Above the escarpment are high mountains, with isolated remnants of Afromontane forests and grasslands.

Angola's river systems fall into two categories: coastal rivers and interior plateau rivers. The coastal rivers are relatively short and highly erosive, carrying high sediment loads. The interior plateau rivers are vast and slow-moving, draining into the Kalahari Basin.

Angola's Ecosystems

Angola's ecosystems are influenced by its diverse geomorphological, geological, pedological, climatic, and biotic characteristics. The country has representatives of seven of Africa's nine biomes:

• Tropical and subtropical moist forests
• Montane grasslands and shrublands
• Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, shrublands, and woodlands
• Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
• Deserts and xeric shrublands
• Flooded grasslands and savannas

Angola also has 15 of the continent's ecoregions, including the Zambezian Cryptosepalum Dry Forest, the Southern Congolian Forest-Savanna Mosaic, and the Angolan Miombo Woodland.

Conservation Efforts

Given the richness of Angola's biodiversity and ecosystems, conservation efforts are crucial. The Angolan government, in collaboration with international organizations, has undertaken projects to address urgent coastal adaptation needs and promote climate-resilient land management. These initiatives focus on restoring ecological habitats, sustainable harvesting practices, and waste management. Additionally, early warning climate forecasting systems are being established to help communities prepare for extreme weather events.

The country's natural resources and economy

Angola has a wealth of natural resources, including petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, bauxite, uranium, gold, granite, copper, feldspar, and rich wildlife. The country also has one of the largest hydroelectric potentials in Africa.

Angola's economy is heavily dependent on the oil sector, which has led to volatile growth and high levels of poverty and inequality. Oil production has brought in significant revenue, but the country has struggled to diversify its economy and create jobs. The non-oil sector, including agriculture, is expected to drive economic growth in the future.

Angola's economy has been growing rapidly in recent years, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. However, the country faces challenges such as high unemployment, poverty, and income inequality. The government has implemented reforms to improve macroeconomic management and public sector governance, and there is a focus on diversifying the economy away from oil.

Angola has a multi-party system, with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) being in power since independence in 1975. The country has a population of over 33 million and is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

Angola's exports are dominated by petroleum and diamonds, with almost half of its exports going to China. The country also imports a significant amount of goods, including machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, medicines, food, and textiles. Overall, Angola has a positive balance of trade.

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