The Republic of Angola is a country in South Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the north, Zambia in the east, and Namibia in the south. Its largest city and capital are Luanda.
Angola also has a province, Cabinda, which was once known as Portuguese Congo, which includes Belize, Buco-Zau, Cabinda, and Cacongo. Cabinda is separated from the main part of Angola by a narrow strip of land that belongs to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Currently, a Cabinda independence movement considers Angola's occupation of the territory to be illegal, and some factions have declared an independent Republic of Cabinda.
The history of Angola might be divided into three parts. During medieval times, the region was ruled by kings. Then came a few centuries in which the land was dominated by Brazilian conquerors who harvested Angolan people as slaves and spread disease throughout the land. During the time when the modern era began, in the early 1800s, and 1975, when the colonial period ended, Angola's coast and portions of the interior were under the control of Portugal.
The slave trade was abolished in 1836, and the Portuguese government freed its existing slaves in 1854. A few years after, slavery in Angola was abolished altogether. These decrees were not entirely enforceable however. During the slave period, approximately a half million Angolans were taken to Brazil or other places to work as slaves.
In the 1900s, the flow of migrations was reversed, and up to a half million Europeans migrated to Angola seeking gold, diamonds, and other resources. In 1975, when Angola achieved independence from colonial rule, the white population of Angola moved back to Europe, leaving African nationalists to struggle for control.
Under colonial rule ethnic Angolans were not permitted to form political parties or labor unions, so the first nationalist movements did not form until after World War II, led by a largely Westernized urban class. Portugal's refusal to address the demands of the Angolans for a degree of self-determination led to armed conflicts in 1961, and then an outright war that went on for more than a decade.
During the fighting, three distinct groups of militant nationalists emerged, supported to a degree by the Portuguese Communist Party. These groups were the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (NFLA), the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), and the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which was formed as a coalition with the Angolan Communist Party, and received assistance from the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China.
The overall nationalist movement was hampered by factionalism between these groups, as each competed for influence within the Angolan population and various international powers. When a ceasefire was called in 1974 and Portugal began a gradual withdrawal, these factions seized strategic positions, acquired arms, and worked to increase their individual military capabilities.
Almost immediately, the war with Portugal was followed by a civil war. Cuba sent troops to assist the MPLA, and the Soviet Union sent arms and advisors. The FNLA was clearly defeated, while UNITA was able to withdraw its officials and militia to the southern provinces, from which is continued an insurgent campaign against the MPLA.
Between 1975 and 1991, the MPLA established a political and economic system based on central planning and the implementation of a communist one-party state. All locally owned businesses were nationalized and incorporated into a single state-owned enterprise. Corruption was common, but the MPLA survived an attempted coup by the Communist Organization of Angola (OCA) in 1977, killing thousands of OCA members.
In 1990, the MPLA abandoned its Marxist ideology to declare a new platform based on social democracy. Angola became a member of the International Monetary Fund, and the country enjoyed some successes in attracting foreign investments. Peace was reached with UNITA in 1991; however, when the MPLA won a major electoral victory at the polls in 1992, UNITA objected and returned to war. In 2002, Jonas Savimbi, the founder, and leader of UNITA was killed and peace was made between the two groups again. UNITA gave up its military wing and joined the government as an opposition party.
The chief ethnic groups in Angola are the Ovimbundu, the Ambundu, and the Bakongo, along with other ethnic African groups, and a very small population of people of European or Chinese descent. Its languages include those originally spoken by its various ethnic groups, as well as Portuguese, which is the first language of about 40% of the population. Christianity dominates the religions of Angola, primarily Catholicism, followed by Congregational and Methodist.
Recommended Resources
Based in Angola, South Africa, the human resources recruitment company offers recruitment and payroll services for employees across the country, including local as well as expatriates. In cooperation with CA Global Headhunters and Africa HR Solutions, the company can also offer its service across other African countries. Its services and networks are introduced, and its expertise is highlighted.
http://africahr-angola.com/
Situated near the Angola capital of Luanda, the new airport is still under construction, slotted to replace the Luanda International Airport. Information about the construction project, which is in the hands of Chinese and Brazilian companies. Airport and flight information is put forth, along with a guide to local hotels, car rental services, and a profile of the county of Angola, including demographics, the economy, and government.
http://www.angolaairport.net/
Members of the African Business Travel Association, the tourist business offers tour guides, schedules tour packages, including those arranged through tour ships, issues air tickets, hotel transfers from the airport, car rentals, and special packages in Benguela, Angola. Descriptions of its services, suggestions for guest accommodations, hotel bookings, and a photo gallery are included.
http://www.benguelaturismo.com/en/
Founded along the Atlantic Ocean in 1905, Lobito is a town and municipality in Benguela Province in Angola, South Africa. The official municipal website offers a brief history and profile of the town, along with a promotional guide of things to do and see in Lobito, including Kissama National Park, Tunda Vala Fissure, Dilolo Lake, and the Dala Waterfalls. City council reports, contacts, and announcements are posted.
http://eplobito.com/
Known as Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, the Luanda Airport is currently the chief international airport in Angola, although a new facility has been under construction for years. Located in Luanda, in the Luanda Province, the airport was built between 1951 and 1954. Its site presents facts about the facility, offers flight status, and an airport map, as well as a guide to hotels and ground transportation services in Luanda.
https://www.luandaairport.com/
LIS is a private, non-profit, coeducational day school in Luanda, Angola, offering the International Baccalaureate program for the primary and middle school years. With a teaching staff from several countries, its location and schedules are published to the site, along with an overview of its recruitment and application processes, an academic calendar, and student demographics. Its affiliations are posted to the site.
http://www.lisluanda.com/
The program began as a result of a charitable project linking Saint Michael’s Grammar School in London with Saint Bakhita’s School for Girls in Luanda, Angola, and has sponsored fundraisers and established trusts to fund the education of children, particularly girls, in Luanda. A history and highlights of the program are put forth, including profiles of some of the children who were helped.
http://www.luandalinks.co.uk/
RCCG Mount Olives Luanda, Angola
Established by RCCG Mount Olives Abuja Nigeria, the congregation is affiliated with the Redeemed Christian Church of God. An overview of the church, its mission and vision, worship service schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and its faith clinic services are presented, along with a gallery of photographs, audio files of recent sermons, and manuals for a variety of Christian purposes.
https://www.rccgmountolivesangola.org/
Headquartered in Luanda, Angola, TSE Angola is a civil construction and infrastructure company involved in construction, civil engineering, electric and hydraulic infrastructures, and road construction. Started in 1991, TSE collaborates with other companies of the conglomerate. General information and data about the company are set forth, along with highlights of its projects, and contact data.
http://www.tse-angola.com/en
