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blackspade (m)
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Angola Angola and it's recent transformation is amazing to say the least. This country has been through over 30 years of civil war, and has been in peace since 2002. Since then, the country has recorded the fastest economic growth in the world in 2007, and it's on it's way to becoming an economic heavyweight in Southern Africa. Although there is some obvious corruption going on within their government, everyone is benefiting from this turnaround, with their economy becoming more and more diversified as the days go on. Here's a little information about the country before I start with the pictures:
Area: 1,246,700 m2
Language: Portuguese (Official), Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Fiote, Chokwé
Major Cities: Luanda (Capital), Huambo, Benguela, Lubango, Lobito, Malange, Kuito, Cabinda
Religion: Majority Roman Catholic, then indigenous religions
Head of State: José Eduardo dos Santos (MPLA)
GDP (PPP): $114.6 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3-6% (2009 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,100 (2008 est.)
Geography: Angola lies on the west coast of Africa, between latitude 5° & 18°S and longitude 11º & 24°E. It borders the Republic of Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, Namibia to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the northeast. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west. Angola’s terrain can be described as falling into three major zones. A narrow coastal plain, expanding to 200km in places and climbing to an altitude of 400m, a chain of coastal mountains, and vast plateaus rising to between 1,000 and 2,000m high. The highest being Mount Moco (2,620m). The country’s main rivers flow down from the interior toward the Atlantic Ocean. Its principal hydrographic basins are the Zaire, Kwanza and Cunene, which flow into the Atlantic, and the Zambezi, flowing into the Indian Ocean.
Population: Because of the civil war that ravaged the country for almost 30 years, there has not been an accurate census conducted since the early 1970s. Estimates point to a population ranging from about 12 million to over 16 million inhabitants.
Ethnic Groups: Several ethnic groups exist: the Ovimbundu (center), is the most significant group, accounting for some 38% of the population, with the Mbundu (northwest), the second most important, accounting for 23%. In the north, live the Bakongo, comprising approximately 13% of the population, while there are other small minorities such as the Lunda-Chokwe (east), Nganguela (south), Cuanhama, Nyaneca and Nkhumbi. Mesticos (Mixed Portuguese & Black African) comprise about 3% of the population. Since the early 2000s, there been a significant increase in the number of Chinese calling Angola their home, mostly due to China's ever increasing interest in Angola.
Political & Administrative Organization: Angola was a Portuguese colony for some 500 years, having won independence on November 11, 1975. In the wake of a period (between 1977 and 1990) in which a one-party system was in place, the situation began to change after May 1991, with Angola becoming a multi-party democracy. The 1975 Constitution was amended several times, thereby ensuring, since 1992, the pluralism of parties, universal suffrage, broader individual rights and guarantees, and the separation of legislative, executive, and judiciary functions. The Angolan political system is a semi-presidential one, with the President of the Republic, who is head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, being elected by direct and universal vote for a five-year period, renewable up to a maximum of three mandates. The current president of the Republic is José Eduardo dos Santos, who has also taken on the role of head of government since 1998.
Legislative power is entrusted to the 233-member National Assembly, elected for a four-year period. For the past 30 years, the Angolan political scene has been dominated by 2 parties – the MPLA (in power) and UNITA. The government holds executive power, with the cabinet accountable to the National Assembly. Judicial power is exercised by the courts. In administrative terms, the country is divided into 18 provinces, run by governors. The 18 provinces are: Bengo, Benguela, Bié, Cabinda, Kuando Kubango, Cunene, Huambo, Huíla, Kwanza North, Kwanza South, Luanda, Lunda North, Lunda South, Malange, Moxico, Namibe, Uíge, and Zaire. These provinces are subdivided into 164 municipalities, taking in 376 communes and 1,671 village settlements.
I hope everyone enjoys the pictures, and if you can, please leave a comment! |
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