In 2009, Angola had a population of around 18 million people. The majority of the population were ethnically Ovimbundu, followed by Bakongo and other minorities. The main language spoken was Portuguese. The Angolan economy was largely dependent on oil exports, with much of the population living in poverty. In terms of foreign relations, Angola had strong ties to neighboring countries such as Namibia and Zambia as well as other African countries. Politically, Angola had recently gone through its first free elections in 1992 but had been struggling to establish a stable government since then. In 2009, the government faced widespread protests from citizens due to rising unemployment and economic hardship. See internetsailors for Angola in the year of 2011.
Yearbook 2009
Angola. According to countryaah, President José Eduardo dos Santos celebrated his 30th birthday in September without giving any hint of plans to step down. The presidential election that was scheduled to be carried out during the year was postponed until the parliamentary commission that writes a new constitution should be able to finish its work.
After the end of the 27-year-long civil war in 2002, the Angolan regime has been able to use the country’s large oil revenues to create stability, despite the fact that wealth is extremely unevenly distributed. However, the world economic crisis and the oil price race forced the regime to turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2009 with a request for a loan of up to US $ 890 million to avoid an acute budget crisis. See ABBREVIATIONFINDER for abbreviation AO which stands for the nation of Angola.
Angola – Luanda
Luanda
Luanda, formerly São Paulo de Luanda, capital of Angola; 2. 8 million residents (2014). Luanda, the country’s largest city, is located on the Atlantic coast of northern Angola. The city’s business sector includes, among other things, oil refinery, breweries and the textile, sugar, tobacco and cement industries. Luanda is also an export port for coffee, cotton, diamonds and salt. The city has universities (founded in 1962).
Luanda was founded by the Portuguese in 1575, became the colonial administrative center in 1627 and was one of the shipping ports for slave traffic to Brazil.
Shopping
Overview
Traditional handicrafts are offered in Luanda. There are hardly any shops outside of the big cities.
Nightlife
Introduction
There are several nightclubs and cinemas in Luanda. It is also advisable to book tickets in advance here. The popular kizombas feature African music and local food.
Culinary
Overview
As there are only a few restaurants and hotels, tables should be reserved in advance. First class service is available at Hotel Presidente Meridien.
Accommodation
Hotels
Many hotels in Angola have recently been renovated and now offer air conditioning, telephones, radios and private bathrooms. However, the offer is limited, so you should book well in advance. In Luanda, hotels are particularly expensive. More information is available from SATUL (Sociedade Angolana de Empreendimentos Turisticos e Hotelaria, LDA), Rua do Carmo 8, Luanda. (Tel: (02) 33 21 19). Accommodation is also available in Kissama National Park (see Resorts & Excursions).
Culture
Religion
(47%) indigenous religions and Christianity (predominantly Catholicism (38%) and Protestants (15%)).
Social Rules of Conduct
The usual forms of politeness should be observed. Photographing: Public facilities, events or buildings and soldiers may not be photographed. Failure to do so may result in loss of the film, photographic equipment or arrest. Tipping is officially frowned upon. If not included in the bill, about 10%. Cigarettes and the like are gladly accepted.
Climate
Best travel time
Hot and humid north during summer months November to April; somewhat cooler and considerably drier in the winter months from May to October. In the south it is almost constantly hot, in winter it is slightly cooler.
Country data
Phone prefix
+244
Area (sq km)
1246700
Population
32,466,923
Population density (per square km)
16
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
112