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World > Africa > Angola
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Angola |
Introduction:
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Angola is 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. While President DOS SANTOS had pledged to hold legislative elections in 2007, he has since announced that legislative elections will be held in 2008, with Presidential elections planned for 2009. A specific election timetable has yet to be established.
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| Official name: |
Republic of Angola |
| Capital: |
name: Luanda
geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| Government type: |
republic; multiparty presidential regime |
| Population: |
12,263,596 (July 2007 est.) |
| Languages: |
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages |
| Official Currency: |
Angolan New Kwanza (AON) |
| Currency code: |
AON |
| Area: |
total: 1,246,700 sq km
land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Climate: |
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) |
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Map of Angola
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