The Republic of Angola is located in the Southern Africa region, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, situated between Namibia - on the southern border; Zambia -on the Southeast border and the Democratic Republic of Congo - on the northern border. It is one of the largest African countries totaling: 1,246,700 sq. km with a long coastline: 1,600 km.

Population: 11,177,537 (July 1999); 10,766,471 (July 2003 est.)
Independence from Portugal: November 11, (1975)

National holiday: November 11

Angola economy has been completely disrupted and disorganized by more than 35 years of continuous warfare. First against the colonial power: Portugal; for quite 10 years. And after the independence, from 1975 till April 4, 2002, by a civil war between the MPLA ruling party and the Rebels of UNITA led by their indomitable chief Jonas Molheiro Savimbi.

Savimbi who for years escaped all the traps laid down on his path by enemies failed to analyze the geostrategical changes which occurred, first, after the disintegration of former USSR; and second, after the deadly Airliners suicidal attacks of September 11, 2001

He failed to accordingly adjust his political and survival strategy to the new "reality". He had not understood that, since these political events, freedom fighters are no more acclaimed and supported as such by the international community. They are branded terrorists.

Savimbi died on combat on February 22, 2002 and the warring parties - UNITA and the MPLA led government signed a ceasefire agreement on March 15, 2002. Click here for more.

Finally a peace accord was signed at Luanda on April 4, 2002 by Angola's armed forces chief General Armando da Cruz Neto and UNITA's chief-of-staff General Abreu Muengo Ukwachitembo "Kamorteiro". President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and rebel leader Paulo Lukamba "Gato" looked on as the signatures, which put to an end 27-years of strife.

Since then the peace process is on solid consolidation path. Unita reunited its two main political factions in a single entity and held a national congress (June 24-27, 2003) in preparation for the general election ballots scheduled for the end of Year 2004. On its side the MPLA-led government is playing the democratic game to some extent. Unita, for instance, received US $ 13 million of public funds to finance its political activity - based on the number of votes (1, 347,000) gained during the controversial election of 1992.

With peace now firmly on track would the war-torn and impoverished Angola (endowed with huge mineral resources and plenty of arable land suitable for the establishment of a strong agribusiness) enter a sustained economic development process?

In an analysis released in BBC Online on February 25, 2002 Justin Pearce wrote: "...Without the alibi of a war budget, Luanda will be under pressure at home and abroad to ensure that a decent proportion of the country's oil earnings goes towards improving the lives of Angolans..."

Unfortunately things are moving slowly. Indeed, in the quarterly analysis of the humanitarian situation in Angola, released end April 2004, the UN noted:

"Despite various breakthroughs at the central level - notably, the adoption by the government of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the constructive dialogue with the World Bank and IMF [International Monetary Fund] - the transition [from war to recovery] seems to be on hold". There have been several protests and incidents of civil unrest in recent months. The population has yet to see the dividends of the end of the hostilities and is beginning to express its growing frustration. The path to recovery is a very long one and is, regrettably, being slowed down by the absence of integrated community-based projects by both the government and international organisations,"

Let's hope for the better. Indeed, the country is endowed with huge natural resources as above listed. These resources could be assets for a quick economic recovery if a strategic economic development scheme, which integrates the agriculture sector, related industrial sector and resulting services is implemented.

As everything - from road to global infrastructure - is to be rebuilt from the scratch due to massive war destruction "the Catch-up Factor" will drive the economy upward with sustained double digit growth rate

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GNP: US$ 3.4 billion (2000); 5.69 billion (2002 est.))
GNP- growth rate: 4.9% (2000); 9% (2002 est.)
GNP-: US$ 330 (2000); 555 (2002 est.)

Click here for the difference between GNP and Parity Purchasing Power

GNP-composition by sector:

1. agriculture: 8%
   

2. industry: 67%
   
3. services: 25% (2002)

Exports: US$ 7.8billion (f.o.b., 2000); 8.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Commodities: crude oil: 90%; diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton.

Imports: US$ 2.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000); 4.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles and clothing; substantial military goods

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An entry visa is compulsory for visitors from any country; applications are to be made with and visa obtained from Angolan Embassy of visitor / traveller country. It is highly advised to take such administrative steps long in advance of the trip date to Angola as delay mays occur in obtaining the visa.

Visitors are advised to take malaria prophylaxis before, during and after a visit. Vaccination against yellow fever, cholera and typhoid are also required vaccines for rabies and hepatitis A and B are also recommended For more you may explore following link.

USA The Embassy of Angola 2100-2108 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Tel: +(1) 202-785-1156 Fax: +(1) 202-785-1258 Email: Click here

Canada The Embassy of Angola Albert Street Suite 900 Ottawa, Ontario K1E 5P8 Tel: +(1) 613 234-1152 Fax: (+1) 613 234-1179 75 Email: Click here

TAAG (Angolan Airlines): the flag airline covers the whole country and links it with several capitals in the world.

Other foreign companies have permanent operation links with the country: TAP, AIR-FRANCE, AEROFLOT, LAC (R. of Congo), LINA-CONGO (Congo-Brazzaville), AIR GABON, AIR NAMIBIA, SAA, ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES.

Here are listed few hotels in Luanda, the Capital-City; with phone numbers, Fax, Telex and E-mail when available.

Hotel and accommodation costs are expensive in Luanda and room rates often fluctuate. it is advised to get information on the prevailing pricing and amenities available when booking.