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Angola is slowly 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. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold legislative
elections in 2006.
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Source: The World Factbook
Population: 11,190,786 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Luanda
Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
Government: republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system
Climate: semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to
April)
Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to
vast interior plateau
Geography: the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the
Congo
Ethnic groups: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African)
2%, European 1%, other 22%
Economy: Angola's high growth rate is driven by its
oil sector, but record oil prices and rising petroleum production have occurred without improved performance in other parts of
the economy. Oil production and its supporting activities, contribute about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports, and much
of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 22 year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict
such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace has been established after the
death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the
population, but much of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of
credit from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects are scheduled for completion by
2006. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy
kwanzas out of circulation, a policy that was more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings, and has
significantly reduced inflation. Consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to about 18% in 2005, but the stabilization
policy places pressure on international net liquidity. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold,
diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue reforming government
policies and to reduce corruption. The government has made sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF, such as
promoting greater transparency in government spending, and continues to be without a formal monitoring agreement with the
institution. Increased oil production supported 12% growth in 2004 and 14% growth in 2005.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 14.1% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting
more than half the population (2001 est.)
Internet country code: .ao
Dial code: +244
Cities
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Local currency is the Angolan Kwanza
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