GeoFroggy

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Background

Angola is 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. President DOS SANTOS has announced legislative elections will be held in September 2008, with presidential elections planned for sometime in 2009.

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Area Comparative

Slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

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

Natural Hazards

Locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Environment Current Issues

Overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

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

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

Africa

Irrigated Land 2003

800 sq km

Area 2008

Total

1,246,700 sq km
Land

1,246,700 sq km
Water

0 sq km

Coastline

1,600 km

Geographical Coordinates

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Land use 2008

Arable Land
2.65%
Permanent Crops
0.23%
Other
97.12%

Terrain

Narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Elevation

Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest Point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m

Land Boundaries

Total
5,198 km
Democratic Republic Of The Congo
2,511 km
(of
which km
Is The Boundary Of Discontiguous Cabinda Province)Republic Of The
Congo km
Namibia
1,376 km
Zambia
1,110 km

Natural Resources

Petroleum
Diamonds
Iron ore
Phosphates
Copper

Feldspar
Gold
Bauxite
Uranium

Angola