Official Name Republic of Angola

Population 12,127,500

Capital City Luanda (2.2 million)

Largest Cities Luanda, Huambo, Lombito

Currency Kwanza


Latitude/Longitude 12º30 S, 18º30 E

Languages Portuguese (official), Bantu and varied African dialects


National Day 11 November; Independence Day

Religions Traditional beliefs (47%), Catholic (38), Protestant (15%)

Land

Land Area 1,246,700 sq km (481,353 sq miles) - slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Landforms The Central African Plateau covers much of the country (4,000 - 6,000 ft). The coastal plain runs the entire length of the country along the Atlantic Ocean, while the land slopes lower in the east. Major rivers include the Congo, Cubango, Cuando and Kwango and many tributaries.

Highest Point Morro de Moco 2,620 m (8,592 ft)

Lowest Point Atlantic Ocean, sea level

Land Divisions 18 provinces; including Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige and Zaire

Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish

Industries:petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair

Resources: Proven Oil Reserves (1/1/00E): 5.4 billion barrels. Natural Gas Reserves (1/1/00E): 1.6 trillion cubic feet.Alluvial diamonds occur widely over the northeastern quarter of the country, with a high proportion of gemstones, and there are several kimberlite pipe formations that may be mined. Large iron ore reserves exist in the southwestern part of the country, but they are low-grade. Other minerals are known to exist in commercial quantities in Angola, especially in the area of the escarpment, but a great deal of systematic prospecting work needs to be done to gain a complete picture of the country's mineral resources. Angola's hydroelectric potential is one of the largest in Africa, estimated at more than 7,500 megawatts. Owing to the beneficial effects of the cold Benguela Current, Angola also has some of the richest fishing grounds in Africa, especially in the far south of the country. Stickleback, sardine, mackerel, catfish, mullet, and tuna are abundant, as are crabs, lobsters, and prawns. Timber resources are significant, with some 130 million acres of forest.