Angola's Unique Border: A Historical Quirk

Angola is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. It is 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, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. What is unusual about the borders of Angola is that it has an exclave province, Cabinda, which is separated from the rest of the country by a strip of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cabinda borders the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Angola's borders include Zambia to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north-east, Namibia to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west

Angola's border with Zambia spans 1,065 kilometres, while its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 2,646 kilometres long, including 225 kilometres that separate the exclave province of Cabinda from the rest of Angola. The border with Namibia is 1,427 kilometres long.

The province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of Angola by a strip of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has borders with both the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Angola's coastline is 1,650 kilometres long, washed by the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

The province of Cabinda is an exclave of Angola, separated from the rest of the country by a strip of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa and has an unusual exclave province called Cabinda. The province of Cabinda is separated from the rest of Angola by a strip of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has borders with both the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Cabinda is located along the Atlantic coast just north of Angola's border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is approximately 7,283 square kilometres (2,812 sq mi) in size and has a population of over 700,000 people. The region is known for its tropical forest and the production of hardwoods, coffee, cocoa, crude rubber, and palm oil. However, Cabinda is best known for its oil production, earning it the nickname "the Kuwait of Africa". The province's considerable offshore oil reserves now account for more than half of Angola's total oil output.

The recognition of Cabinda as part of Angola came about through the signing of the Treaty of Alvor in 1975, after Angola gained self-determination from Portugal in the late 20th century. Despite this recognition, there has been a long-standing secessionist movement in Cabinda, with groups such as the Movement for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda demanding self-rule.

The border between the province of Cabinda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is approximately 225 kilometres (140 mi) long. This border, along with the rest of Angola's borders, was first established during the Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century when European powers divided the continent into colonies. During this period, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was recognised as a Belgian colony, while Angola was a Portuguese colony. Despite the existence of official border crossings and security patrols, the border between Cabinda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains porous, with issues such as illegal crossings and smuggling posing threats to the security and economic well-being of both countries.

Angola's border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the longest of its borders, spanning 1,644 miles

The border between Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo was first demarcated in the 19th century during the Scramble for Africa, when European colonial powers divided the African continent into colonies. During the demarcation, the two countries were recognised as separate colonies—the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Belgian colony and Angola as a Portuguese colony. Despite the border's porosity and the thousands of illegal crossings made each year, the two bordering nations recognise the demarcation, and so there have been no territorial conflicts over it.

The border experiences problems with smuggling, as cheap products from Angola find their way into the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo celebrate the availability of cheap Angolan products, the smuggling is a direct threat to the economic well-being of the country, as its locally manufactured products struggle to compete. In 2016, when the Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced an outbreak of Ebola, Angola closed the border, stating that it was necessary to contain the spread of the disease.

Angola's border with Zambia was established in the 19th century by European colonial powers and has numerous border crossings

The establishment of the Angola-Zambia border is closely tied to the colonial history of the region. During the 19th century, European powers, particularly Portugal, sought to consolidate their control over the territory that is now Angola. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 played a significant role in delineating the borders of Portuguese colonies in Africa, including Angola. However, it is important to note that the specific boundaries of Angola, including its border with Zambia, were not fully resolved until the 1920s.

The impact of colonial powers on the region's borders had lasting effects, and the Angola-Zambia border remains a significant geographical feature today. The border between the two countries is characterised by a range of natural landmarks, including rivers and flood plains. The Kwando River Eastern flood plain, in particular, is notable as it forms part of the boundary between the two nations.

The border between Angola and Zambia is also significant for the flow of trade and movement of people between the two countries. There are numerous border crossings along the frontier, facilitating travel and the exchange of goods between the nations. The improved relations between Angola and Zambia since Angola's civil war in the 1990s have also played a role in increasing cross-border interactions.

Angola's border with Namibia spans 886 miles and follows the natural course of two major rivers: the Kavango and the Cunene

The Kavango and Cunene rivers are among the few perennial rivers in the region. The Kavango is around 620 miles long, while the Cunene is approximately 650 miles in length. The Kavango flows through a break in the escarpment between the Malanje highlands and the Bié Plateau, while the Cunene traverses a swampy plain on leaving the highlands, with divergent branches running southeast.

The border between Angola and Namibia is a remnant of colonial occupation in southwest Africa, established in the late 19th century. It trends east-west along a line of constant latitude and divides the traditional lands of the Ovambo people. The border witnessed a surge in crossings at the turn of the 21st century when Angola was engaged in a bloody civil war, with thousands of Angolans seeking refuge in Namibia between 1999 and 2002.

The Kavango and Cunene rivers are important sources of water for irrigation in the dry coastal strip of Angola and Namibia, and also offer potential for hydroelectric power. The Epupa Falls lie on the Cunene River, which forms part of the border between the two countries.

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