Discover Fascinating Angola Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Angola.
Angola
Background
π¦π΄ Angola: A Brief History
Angola is a country rich in history! It was home to multiple kingdoms until the mid-19th century, with the Kongo and Ndongo being the most famous. β¨ In the 16th century, the Portuguese arrived and began to set up their colony. After many years of struggle and change, Angola finally gained its independence from Portugal in 1975! π The country faced challenges, including a long civil war that lasted 27 years, which thankfully ended in 2002.
Angola's journey has been filled with ups and downs, but the spirit of its people shines bright! π
Year of Independence
1975
Duration of Civil War
27 years
Year Civil War Ended
2002
Exports - commodities
π¦π΄ Angola is well-known for its rich natural resources! The country's exports include a variety of valuable commodities. Hereβs a list of key exports as of 2022:
- Crude Petroleum
- Natural Gas
- Diamonds
- Ships
- Refined Petroleum
These commodities play a significant role in Angola's economy and are integral to its international trade. ππ
Key Exports
Crude Petroleum, Natural Gas, Diamonds, Ships, Refined Petroleum
Exports - partners
π¦ Angola has a diverse range of export partners! In 2022, the largest share of Angola's exports went to China, making up a whopping 40% of total exports! π Following behind, India received 9%, and both the Netherlands, France, and the UAE each accounted for 7%. π Let's take a closer look at these partnerships and understand Angola's trade dynamics! πβοΈ
Largest Export Partner
China - 40%
Second Largest Export Partner
India - 9%
Equal Third Export Partners
Netherlands, France, and UAE - 7% each
Angola's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
π Angola's Capital: The capital city of Angola is Luanda! It's a vibrant city full of culture, history, and beautiful landscapes. Luanda is not just the political hub of Angola, but also its economic center, with bustling markets and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. ποΈExplore Luanda to experience the rich heritage of Angola!
Imports - commodities
π Angola imports various important commodities to support its economy and meet the needs of its people. Here are some of the key items that make up its imports in 2022:
- Refined Petroleum: A crucial energy resource for the country.
- Wheat: A staple food item that many Angolans rely on for their daily meals. π
- Cars: Essential for transportation and mobility. π
- Poultry: A significant source of protein for the population. π
- Palm Oil: Used in cooking and various products.
The variety of these imports highlights the diverse needs and preferences of Angolans!
Climate
π Climate in Angola: Angola has a really interesting climate! The southern part and the coast near Luanda are semi-arid, which means they get very little rain. π But if you head to the northern part, youβll experience a cool and dry season from May to October, followed by a hot and rainy season that lasts from November to April. π§οΈπ This variety makes Angola unique and beautiful in its own way!
Executive branch
π Executive Branch of Angola
In Angola, the executive branch is led by the President Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO, who has been in office since September 26, 2017. This means he is both the chief of state and the head of government! π
The President plays a crucial role in shaping the country's policies and making important decisions. Having a consistent leader ensures stability and continuity in governance, which is vital for Angola's progress. π
Current President of Angola
Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO
Date President Took Office
26 September 2017
Legislative branch
π¦π΄ Angola has a unicameral National Assembly, which means it has one legislative chamber. This assembly has a total of 220 seats available for representatives to sit in and make important decisions for the country! ποΈ
Number of Seats in National Assembly
220
Natural resources
π Angola is rich in natural resources! It has a treasure chest of minerals and materials that contribute to its economy. Some of the most notable resources include:
- Petroleum: A vital source of energy and economic income.
- Diamonds: Sparkling gems that are highly valued around the world.
- Iron Ore: Essential for steel production and various industries.
- Phosphates: Useful in fertilizers that help crops grow.
- Copper: A key metal used in electrical wiring and construction.
- Feldspar: Commonly used in glass and ceramics.
- Gold: Known for its beauty and as a form of investment.
- Bauxite: The main source of aluminum, used in many products.
- Uranium: Important for nuclear energy and certain technologies.
These resources play a significant role in shaping Angola's economic landscape! π
Total Natural Resources Listed
9
Economic overview
Angola is a middle-income π¦π΄ country located in Africa, but it faces some big challenges. The economy heavily relies on oil, which means it's very oil-dependent. Sadly, many people are experiencing widespread poverty π. Recently, inflation is rising rapidly π, and the currency is losing value. To help solve these issues, Angola is trying to diversify its economy by boosting agricultural production πΎ.
Corruption is also a big problem in public institutions π. On the bright side, there are major infrastructure investments coming from China and the US ποΈ, which could help the economy grow! Also noteworthy is that Angola made headlines by exiting OPEC in 2023! πͺ
Economic classification
middle-income
Dependence on oil
oil-dependent
Corruption issue
significant
Recent OPEC status
exited OPEC in 2023
Government type
π Angola is a presidential republic! This means that the President is both the head of state and the head of government, playing a key role in shaping the countryβs political landscape. ποΈ In this type of government, the President holds significant powers, making important decisions that affect the lives of Angolans every day.
Ethnic groups
In Angola, the population is made up of diverse ethnic groups! π Hereβs how the mix breaks down:
- Ovimbundu: 37% π₯³
- Kimbundu: 25% π
- Bakongo: 13% π
- Mestico (mixed European and native African): 2% π©βπ€βπ¨
- European: 1% πͺπΊ
- Other: 22% π
Together, these groups create a vibrant culture in Angola! Let's visualize this mix with a pie chart for easier understanding. π₯§
Percentage of Ovimbundu
37%
Percentage of Kimbundu
25%
Percentage of Bakongo
13%
Percentage of Mestico
2%
Percentage of European
1%
Percentage of Other Ethnic Groups
22%
Ethnic Composition of Angola
Religions
In Angola, diverse beliefs shape the spirit of the nation! πβ¨ Here's a look at the major religions in the country based on the 2014 estimates:
- Roman Catholic: 41.1% - The most popular faith, it holds a significant influence on Angolan culture and traditions.
- Protestant: 38.1% - A close competitor to Catholicism, showcasing a rich tapestry of faith practices.
- Other beliefs: 8.6% - This category includes various indigenous and non-mainstream religions that make up the beautiful mosaic of Angolan spirituality.
- None: 12.3% - A reminder that some Angolans identify as non-religious.
Isn't it fascinating how diverse these beliefs are? Let's visualize this information! π
Percentage of Roman Catholics
41.1%
Percentage of Protestants
38.1%
Percentage of Other beliefs
8.6%
Percentage of Non-religious
12.3%
Religious Distribution in Angola (2014)
Languages
In Angola, the vibrant tapestry of languages reflects its rich cultural heritage! π The main language is Portuguese, spoken by 71.2% of the population, making it the official language of the country. But that's just the beginning! Here's a glimpse of other languages spoken:
- Umbundu: 23%
- Kikongo: 8.2%
- Kimbundu: 7.8%
- Chokwe: 6.5%
- Nhaneca: 3.4%
- Nganguela: 3.1%
- Fiote: 2.4%
- Kwanhama: 2.3%
- Muhumbi: 2.1%
- Luvale: 1%
- Others: 3.6%
This diversity enriches daily life and showcases the uniqueness of each cultural group, making Angola a truly fascinating place! π
Percentage of population that speaks Portuguese
71.2%
Percentage of population that speaks Umbundu
23%
Percentage of population that speaks Kikongo
8.2%
Percentage of population that speaks Kimbundu
7.8%
Percentage of population that speaks Chokwe
6.5%
Percentage of population that speaks Nhaneca
3.4%
Percentage of population that speaks Nganguela
3.1%
Percentage of population that speaks Fiote
2.4%
Percentage of population that speaks Kwanhama
2.3%
Percentage of population that speaks Muhumbi
2.1%
Percentage of population that speaks Luvale
1%
Percentage speaking other languages
3.6%
Distribution of Languages in Angola
Imports - partners
π When it comes to trading, Angola has some key partners! In 2022, China was at the top of the list, accounting for a whopping 24% of Angola's imports. π’ Next up is Portugal, contributing 10% to the imports. The Netherlands and the UAE follow with 8% and 5% respectively, while India rounds out the list with 4%. This mix shows how Angolan imports are spread across different countries, making its trading relationships quite colorful! π¨
Top Import Partner
China
Percentage of Imports from China
24%
Percentage of Imports from Portugal
10%
Percentage of Imports from Netherlands
8%
Percentage of Imports from UAE
5%
Percentage of Imports from India
4%
Angola's Import Partners in 2022
Population
β¨ Let's dive into the population of Angola! As of now, the total population is a whopping 37,202,061 people! π Thatβs a large community filled with diverse cultures, languages, and traditions! How cool is that? π
Total Population
37,202,061
Area
Angola is a huge country in Southern Africa! π It spans a whopping 1,246,700 sq km in total area, which is entirely land since it has 0 sq km of water. That's a lot of land to explore and enjoy! ποΈ
Total Area of Angola
1246700 sq km
Land Area of Angola
1246700 sq km
Water Area of Angola
0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π Angola's Real GDP Growth Over the Years
Angola has shown some impressive changes in its economy in recent years! Let's take a peek at the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) numbers:
- 2021: $255.821 billion
- 2022: $263.611 billion
- 2023: $265.868 billion
As you can see, Angola's economy has been getting bigger and stronger! π Let's dive deeper into the numbers!
π What's Happening?
The Real GDP has been steadily increasing year by year. This is great news as it shows that more goods and services are being produced in Angola, benefiting everyone!
Real GDP in 2021
255.821
Real GDP in 2022
263.611
Real GDP in 2023
265.868
Angola's Real GDP Growth (2021-2023)
Real GDP per capita
π Let's take a look at the Real GDP per capita for Angola over the last few years! This number shows us how much money each person would have if we shared all the wealth in the country. It's an important way to understand how well the economy is doing!
Here are the estimated figures:
- 2023: $7,200
- 2022: $7,400
- 2021: $7,400
As we can see, there's been a little dip in 2023 compared to 2022! π
Real GDP per Capita in 2023
7200
Real GDP per Capita in 2022
7400
Real GDP per Capita in 2021
7400
Real GDP per Capita in Angola (2021-2023)
Imports
Angola's imports have shown a dynamic trend over the past few years! π Here's a quick overview of how much Angola brought in from other countries:
- 2021: $18.845 billion
- 2022: $28.564 billion
- 2023: $23.676 billion
It looks like there was an exciting jump from 2021 to 2022, but in 2023, the imports decreased a bit! Let's visualize this data to understand it better! π
Total Import Value in 2023
$23.676 billion
Total Import Value in 2022
$28.564 billion
Total Import Value in 2021
$18.845 billion
Angola's Import Trends (2021-2023)
Exports
β¨ Exports of Angola
Angola has been booming when it comes to exports! π Let's take a look at the estimated export values over the years:
- 2021: $33.675 billion
- 2022: $50.12 billion
- 2023: $36.961 billion
This shows an exciting increase from 2021 to 2022, and itβs interesting to note that there's a slight decrease from 2022 to 2023. π Looking at the numbers makes us curious about the ups and downs of trade!
Letβs visualize these changes to see how Angola's exports are performing over time!
Exports in 2021
33.675 billion USD
Exports in 2022
50.12 billion USD
Exports in 2023
36.961 billion USD
Angola's Export Estimates Over Time
Population growth rate
π Angola is experiencing a population growth rate of 3.33% as of 2024! This means the number of people living in Angola is increasing steadily. Population growth is important because it can impact everything from schools to jobs and healthcare. π Let's keep an eye on how this rate evolves in the coming years!
Estimated population growth rate for 2024
3.33%