5. Angola

Republic of Angola (Republica de Angola)

Capital:

Luanda

Currency: readjusted

Kwanza

Area: 1,246,699 sq.km Coastline: 1,600 km

Population: 24,383,301

Other Large Cities: Huambo, Lubango; Languages: Portuguese, Bantu; Religions: indigenous beliefs-47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant-15%; Literacy: 70.1%; Life Expectancy: 49.62; p.c.i: $ 7,978; HDI rank: 149; Date of Independence: 11th November, 1975.

Government Type

 Republic; President: Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

Climate: Tropical, Subtropical, Arid, Semi arid

of Regional Divisions: 18 Provinces S Geography: Angola lies on the Atlantic ti coast of south central Africa. Its small northern province, Cabinda, is separated from the rest of the country by part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Much of Angola is high plateau.

History:

Fighting between the Popular

Movement for Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, and then 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 have been lost in the quarter century of fighting. Savimbi's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the

MPLA's hold on power. Mission in India: Embassy of the Republic

of Angola, 5/50 F, Nyaya Marg, Chanakya puri, New Delhi-110 021; Tel: 26110701, 26882680; Fax: 26110701, 24673787.

E-mail: xietuang@del2.vsnl.net.in.

Consulate: Mumbai: Tel:22851430/ 1457/6070, Fax: 22875467. E-mail: amboffceluanda@netcabo.

co.ao Indian Mission in Angola: 18A Rua

Marques das Minus, Caixa Postal 6040, Maculusso, Luanda, Angola. Tel: (00 2442) 392281, 371089, Fax (00 2442) 371094. E-mail: ambofficeluanda@netcabo.co.ao