Angola Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Angola

Former Name

People's Republic of Angola

Capital City

Luanda

Government Type

republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system

Climate

semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Geography

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

Languages

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

History

Angola is slowly rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold legislative elections in 2006.

Currency

Angola Kwanza (AOA)