Angola is a country in west-central Southern Africa with a population of roughly 37.2 million people. It is officially called the Republic of Angola and is the seventh-largest country in Africa. Angola is divided into eighteen provinces, one of which is the province of Cabinda, which is an exclave bordering the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The capital of Angola is Luanda, which is also the country's primary port and major industrial, cultural, and urban centre.
Mpumalanga is one of the nine provinces of South Africa and does not appear to be located in Angola.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Country | Angola |
Number of Provinces | 18 |
Capital | Luanda |
Population | 35,159,000 |
Area | 1,246,700 sq km |
Borders | Namibia, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Atlantic Ocean |
Government | Unitary Multiparty Republic |
Head of State | President João Lourenço |
Official Language | Portuguese |
Religion | Roman Catholic, Protestant, Other |
Currency | Kwanza |
What You'll Learn
Angola's capital, Luanda, is located in the Luanda Province
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 has a population of over 35 million people. The country is divided into 18 provinces, and its capital and most populous city is Luanda.
Luanda is located in the Luanda Province, which is one of the 18 provinces of Angola. The city is situated on the country's northern coast and serves as a major port and commercial centre. Luanda was founded in 1575 by Paulo Dias de Novais, who led a group of 100 families of settlers and 400 soldiers to establish São Paulo de Loanda. The city has a rich history, blending Portuguese colonial landmarks with traditional African housing styles and modern industrial complexes.
Luanda is known for its high cost of living, particularly for expatriates. The city's housing market is characterised by limited supply and high demand, with prices often exceeding the means of the average Angolan. This disparity is partly due to the country's economic growth, driven by its developing oil industry, and the limited supply of high-quality housing following the civil war that ended in 2002.
Luanda is also a cultural hub, reflecting centuries of Portuguese influence intertwined with indigenous customs and traditions. The city has a diverse population, with the Ambundu and Ovimbundu ethnic groups forming a majority of its residents.
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Angola has 18 provinces in total
Angola is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It is officially known as the Republic of Angola and is the seventh-largest country in Africa. Angola has 18 provinces in total and a total surface area of 1,246,700 square kilometres. The country has an Atlantic maritime shoreline that measures 1,650 kilometres.
Angola's 18 provinces are divided into municipalities and communes (townships). The provinces are:
- Cabinda
- Benguela
- Luanda
- Zaire
- Mbridge
- Queve
- Cunene
- Cuando
- Kwanza
- Panguila
- Muxima
- Huambo
- Bié
- Malanje
- Lunda Norte
- Lunda Sul
- Moxico
- Namibe
The capital of Angola is Luanda, which is also the country's most populous city. It is a port city on the northern coast that blends Portuguese-style colonial landmarks with traditional African housing styles and modern industrial complexes.
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Angola is bordered by Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean
The border with the Democratic Republic of Congo is of particular interest as it consists of two non-contiguous sections. The first section runs along the Atlantic coast and forms the border between Angola's province of Cabinda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This section is approximately 225 kilometres long and extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the tripoint with the Republic of Congo. The second section is much longer, stretching for 2,421 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean to the tripoint with Zambia.
Angola's southern border is shared with Namibia, and to the southeast lies Zambia. The Republic of the Congo borders the country's northern exclave, Cabinda, which is separated from the rest of Angola by a strip of land belonging to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Finally, to the west, Angola boasts a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, with natural harbours in Luanda, Lobito, Moçâmedes, and Porto Alexandre.
Angola's diverse landscape includes a semi-desert Atlantic littoral, a sparsely populated rainforest interior, rugged highlands, and the densely populated northern coast and river valleys. The country has a tropical climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons, and its economy is largely driven by the extraction of natural resources, including diamonds, oil, gold, copper, and fossil fuels.
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The country has a population of over 35 million people
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. As of 2023, Angola's population is estimated to be over 35 million people.
Angola is a multicultural and multiethnic country with a rich history that dates back to the Paleolithic Age. The country gained independence in 1975 after a protracted anti-colonial struggle, and since then, it has emerged as a relatively stable constitutional republic. Angola's economy is among the fastest-growing in the world, driven mainly by its vast mineral and petroleum reserves. However, economic growth is uneven, with wealth concentrated in a small portion of the population.
Angola is divided into eighteen provinces, with Luanda as its capital and most populous city. The country has a diverse range of cultures, including Ovimbundu, Ambundu, Bakongo, and others, each with its own traditions and languages. Portuguese, introduced during the colonial era, is the official language.
Angola's population faces significant social and economic challenges. Life expectancy is low, while infant mortality rates are high. The country has a low standard of living, with most people adopting survival strategies in urban areas. The government has implemented initiatives to address these issues, including fighting corruption and investing in critical infrastructure.
Angola's diverse ethnic communities contribute to a rich cultural landscape, with Portuguese influence intermingled with indigenous customs and traditions. The country has a growing sports culture, with basketball and football being popular sports.
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Angola is the seventh-largest country in Africa
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is the seventh-largest country in Africa. It is located on the west-central coast of the continent, with a land border of 4,837 km. Angola is bordered by Namibia to the south, Zambia to the southeast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east and north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country has an area of 1,246,700 sq km and is divided into 18 provinces.
Angola's landscape is diverse, ranging from a semidesert Atlantic littoral in the west to a rainforest interior in the east. The country has two distinct climatic regions: the Coastal Region, with high temperatures and low humidity; and the Interior Region, which is further divided into three zones. The North Zone experiences high rainfall and temperatures; the Altitude Zone, which includes the central plateau regions, has a dry climate and low temperatures; and the Southwest Zone, which is semi-arid due to its proximity to the Namib Desert.
Angola is rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas, copper, diamonds, and gold. The country's economy is among the fastest-growing in the world, largely driven by the oil sector. However, economic growth is uneven, with wealth concentrated in a small portion of the population. Angola's population of approximately 37 million is multicultural and multiethnic, with a majority of Bantu origin. The official language is Portuguese, and the country has a variety of ethnic groups, each with its own traditions and languages.
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Frequently asked questions
Mpumalanga is a province in South Africa, not Angola.
Luanda is the capital of Angola.
As of 2024, Angola's population is estimated to be 35,159,000.