Angola's Geographic Location: A Map Overview

Angola is a country located in southwestern Africa, with a population of over 34 million people. It is bordered by Namibia in the south, Zambia to the east, 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 capital and largest city of Angola is Luanda, which is known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. The country has a total area of 1,246,700 square kilometres, making it slightly larger than South Africa and roughly twice the size of the US state of Texas. Angola is rich in natural resources, including diamonds, oil, iron, gold, copper, and bauxite.

Angola is in southwestern Africa

Angola is a country located in southwestern Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and east, Zambia to the east, and Botswana and Namibia to the south. The exclave province of Cabinda is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Republic of the Congo to the north, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southeast.

Angola covers a total area of 1,246,700 square kilometres (481,400 square miles) and has a population of approximately 34 million people. The official language is Portuguese, and several Bantu languages are also widely spoken. In terms of size, Angola is slightly larger than South Africa and roughly twice as large as the US state of Texas.

The geography of Angola can be divided into three major regions: the coastal lowlands, the interior hills and mountains, and the eastern high plateau. The coastal lowlands stretch along the Atlantic Ocean and consist of a narrow strip of low-lying land that includes the country's capital, Luanda, and major ports such as Lobito and Namibe. Beyond the coastal lowlands, the terrain ascends to interior hills and mountains, forming a series of escarpments that create dramatic landscapes with steep slopes and deep valleys.

The eastern high plateau region, also known as the Planalto, is the most extensive geographical region of Angola. It boasts elevations typically between 1,200 and 1,800 meters (4,000 to 6,000 feet) and is substantially cooler and drier than the coastal areas. The fertile soils of this region have traditionally supported the country's agricultural activities.

Angola is a major exporter of agricultural products, such as coffee, maize, and tobacco, due to its favourable climate and fertile soils. It is also a significant producer of petroleum and diamonds, ranking as the second-largest producer in sub-Saharan Africa. However, despite its natural wealth, Angola faces challenges such as deforestation, soil erosion, and poor rankings in life expectancy and infant mortality rates.

It is bordered by Namibia, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola is bordered to the north and northeast by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The border between the two countries is 2,646 km (1,644 mi) long and consists of two non-contiguous sections. The first section runs along the border with Angola's province of Cabinda, starting in the west on the Atlantic coast and extending 225 km (140 mi) to the tripoint with the Republic of the Congo. The second section is much longer, at 2,421 km (1,504 mi), and runs from the Atlantic coast to the tripoint with Zambia. The border between Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo follows several rivers, including the Congo, Mpozo, Lufo, Luvemba, Lubishi, Kwango, Utunguila, Lola, Wamba, Kombo, Lucaia, Kwenge, Luita, Congolo, Lovua, Chicapa, Kasai, and Luao.

To the southeast, Angola is bordered by Zambia. Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to the southwest by Namibia. The border between Angola and Zambia is part of the Luapula-Kalungwishi-Luvua drainage basin, which forms the boundary between the two countries for about 250 km. The Zambezi River also flows along the border between Zambia and Namibia to the south of Angola.

To the south, Angola is bordered by Namibia. The border between the two countries runs along the Kunene River, which rises in the eastern part of Angola and flows for about 1,050 km (650 mi) before forming the border between the two countries for the final 350 km of its course to the Atlantic Ocean. The border between Angola and Namibia is a remnant of colonial occupation in southwest Africa and was established in the late nineteenth century. It runs east-west along a line of constant latitude and divides the traditional lands of the Ovambo people. The border between the two countries also passes through the Etosha Pan, a dry lake in Namibia that is known for its salt residue left behind by the evaporation of water.

The exclave province of Cabinda is separated from Angola by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola is a country located in southwestern Africa. It is bordered by Namibia in 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 is a large country with diverse landscapes, including rainforests, rugged highlands, and a semi-desert Atlantic littoral.

One of the unique features of Angola's geography is the presence of an exclave province called Cabinda, which is separated from the rest of Angola by a strip of land belonging to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This separation gives Cabinda a distinct position and cultural identity within Angola.

Cabinda, also known as the Portuguese Congo or Kabinda, has a rich history and was once a protectorate of the Portuguese Empire. It has an area of approximately 7,200 square kilometres and a population of over 800,000 people. The capital city, also named Cabinda, is a cultural hub and an important administrative centre.

The province is bordered by the Republic of the Congo to the north and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southeast. This unique geographical position has had a significant impact on Cabinda's history and political status. The separation from the rest of Angola, due to the intervening territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has contributed to a sense of distinct identity and political movements advocating for self-determination.

The status of Cabinda has been a subject of dispute, with some political organisations in the territory challenging its inclusion in Angola. The complex history of colonial rule and the fusion of three kingdoms—N'Goyo, Loango, and Kakongo—have shaped Cabinda's cultural and political landscape.

Angola's landscape includes coastal lowlands, interior hills, mountains, and an eastern high plateau

Angola is a large country located on the west coast of Southern Africa. It is bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north and northeast, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country has a varied landscape, which includes coastal lowlands, interior hills, mountains, and an eastern high plateau.

The coastal lowlands in Angola consist of a sparsely watered and somewhat sterile plain that extends inland from the Atlantic Ocean. This region varies in width from about 15 miles (25 km) near Benguela to more than 90 miles (150 km) in the Cuanza River Valley, just south of the capital city of Luanda. The lowlands are characterised by low plains and terraces, with occasional cliffs and bluffs of red sandstone. The northern part of this region is covered by thick brush, while the southern part is marked by sand dunes and dry scrub.

Inland from the coastal lowlands, there is a belt of hills and mountains that run parallel to the coast. This region is known for its rugged terrain, with a series of escarpments and cuestas that rise abruptly from the lowlands. The northern part of this region gradually rises to an average elevation of 1,600 feet (500 metres), while the southern part forms a steep escarpment that extends from east of Luanda down to Namibia. The highest peak in this region is Mount Moco, which reaches an elevation of 8,600 feet (2,620 metres).

East of the hills and mountains lies the vast high plateau, which dominates Angola's terrain. The plateau has an altitude ranging from 3,900 to 5,900 feet (1,200 to 1,800 metres) and is mostly flat or rolling. However, some areas, such as the Benguela Plateau and the Hufla Plateau, reach heights of over 8,200 feet (2,500 metres). The high plateau is home to several important rivers, including the Cuanza and the Cunene, which provide water for irrigation and the potential for hydroelectric power.

The easternmost part of Angola is covered by the Zambezi River basin and the Okavango River basin, which flow into the Indian Ocean. This region is characterised by savanna grassland and woodland, with some areas of dense thorn scrub. The landscape gradually slopes downward towards the centre of the African continent, with elevations ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 feet (900 to 1,800 metres).

Angola is a major exporter of agricultural products

Angola is a country located in southwestern Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and east, Zambia to the east, and Namibia to the south. Angola has a population of approximately 36 million people and is slightly larger than South Africa in terms of area.

Angola is a significant importer of food and agricultural goods, with foreign purchases totalling more than $2.75 billion from over 60 countries in 2022. The country imports over half of its food, presenting a range of export opportunities for foreign producers. Angola was the largest US poultry market in Africa and the sixth-largest globally in 2022, importing more than $232 million worth of American poultry and poultry products. Chicken is the most widely consumed and affordable protein in the country. Angola's poultry imports meet a substantial portion of the market demand, as the country produces an estimated 42,000 tons of chicken meat per year, accounting for only 13% of the total market demand.

In addition to poultry, other major US agricultural exports to Angola include dry beans, beef livers, turkey, pork, wine, and food preparations. From all sources, the largest import categories for Angola are palm oil, poultry meat and edible offal, rice, wheat, wheat flour, soybean oil, sausages, and sugar. Angola has the natural resources to become one of the leading agricultural countries in Africa, with diverse and fertile ecology suited for a variety of crops and livestock.

Prior to the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002, Angola was a major exporter of agricultural products, including coffee, sisal, sugarcane, bananas, and cotton. The country was also self-sufficient in all food crops except wheat. However, the civil war disrupted agricultural production and displaced millions of people. Since the end of the war, Angola has been working to rebuild its infrastructure and economy, and the agricultural sector is expected to grow.

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