Why in news?
President Droupadi Murmu recently became the first Indian head of state to visit Angola. She addressed the Angolan Parliament and met President João Lourenço to discuss cooperation in energy, infrastructure, defence, health, agriculture and digital technologies. Memoranda of understanding were signed on fisheries, aquaculture, marine resources and consular matters, and Angola joined the International Big Cat Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
Background
Angola is situated on the west coast of southern Africa. It gained independence from Portugal on 11 November 1975 after a long liberation struggle. Angola shares borders with the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east and Namibia to the south, and it has a coastline of about 1,650 km along the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The capital and largest city is Luanda. Angola covers roughly 1.246 million square kilometres and is rich in natural resources such as oil, diamonds, iron ore, copper and phosphates.
Geography and climate
- Landscape: The country consists of a narrow coastal plain and a vast inland plateau. Its highest point is Mount Moco (2,620 m).
- Rivers: Major rivers include the Kwanza, Zaire (Congo), Cunene, Cubango and Bengo, which are vital for irrigation, transport and hydroelectric power.
- Climate: Angola experiences a tropical climate along the coast, a semi‑arid climate in the south and centre, and a more humid climate in the north. Seasons are divided into a rainy period (October to April) and a dry season (May to September).
Economy and society
- Natural resources: Oil production accounts for a large share of Angola’s GDP and export earnings. Diamonds, iron ore, phosphates and fisheries also contribute to the economy.
- Population and language: Angola has about 35 million inhabitants comprising many ethnic groups. Portuguese is the official language, and several Bantu languages are widely spoken.
- Post‑war recovery: A civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002 devastated infrastructure and livelihoods. Since then, Angola has been rebuilding, but challenges remain in diversifying the economy, reducing poverty and improving governance.
Source: News On AIR; UN Facts Sheet