Angola Country Information

When you get to experience Angola's miles of unspoiled coastline, or drive through the expansive African plains to gaze upon all the amazing wildlife in a SUV 4x4, or take a walk though the historic structures of Portuguese colonialsim you will have realized how much Angola has to offer.

Angola has had a tough history. Tourism has largely remained dormant for this country due in much from the violence of civil war. After 27 years of crippling warfare placing this country as having one of the slowest growing economies, the Angolan citizens finally saw an end to the fight in 2002. Now with some of its borders opening up and airports operating much of undiscovered Angolans sites are yearning for visitation from open minded travelers. With the country ushering in a new phase of peace and creation of new opportunities for its citizens it is hopeful that this will attract tourists to come to Angola to create some fond memories. For travelers coming to Angola there are diverse sites to encouter. If you stop in the capital city of Luanda you will find pristine coastline and a pretty lively nightlife that includes high-end bars and restaurants. It is also home to one of Africa's largest wildlife parks that is ready for you to experience.

Angola's infrastructure is gradually improving as well as its safety. This country remains on the list for die-hard adventurers or to those or who those that thrive on budget travelling. The country is climbing steadfast back to participate in the world and they hope to never fall back into war. With an open hand Angolan's want to welcome you to the country.

• Area: 1,246,700 sq km (481,353.561 sq mi)
• Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises to big interior plateau
• Climate: The south is arid and along the coast; north has cool, dry season (June to October) and hot, rainy season (October to April)

Angolans are a mix of different ethnic groups with the majority falling under Ovimbundu and Kimbundu. There are some Europeans still living in Angola but only comprise about 1% of the population. Surprisingly there are more than 100K Chinese immigrants living in Angola that came searching for work opportunities. The population is largely Roman Catholic, about 68%, that stemmed from Portuguese rule since the 16th century.

Angola earned its independence from Portugal on November 11, 1975. Under this new regime the country formed three branches of government similiar to here in the United States. There is an Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branch. The President is the Chief of State, the Vice President, and 85 cabinet members form the Executive Branch. The Legislative Branch is formed by a National Assembly of 220 members. The deputies will sever the assembly and also represent the 18 provinces that divide up Angola. The president appoints the Supreme Court judges as well as the provincial courts. There are two major political parties right now that include Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).