Angola, located in Southern Africa, had a population of approximately 12.5 million people in 2005. The majority of the population belonged to various Bantu ethnic groups, with minority populations of Ovimbundu and Mbundu ethnic groups. The economy was largely driven by oil and diamonds, which accounted for around 90% of GDP. Other major industries included agriculture, fishing and timber production. In terms of foreign relations, Angola maintained diplomatic ties with most countries in the region as well as major powers such as the United States and China.
According to ehistorylib, the politics of Angola in 2005 were relatively stable due to a successful transition to a democratic government after decades of civil war and authoritarian rule. Nevertheless, corruption remained a significant problem which hampered economic growth and development efforts. In addition, poverty was still widespread throughout the country and posed a threat to public safety and security. In response to these issues, the government sought assistance from international organizations such as the African Union and World Bank in order to help strengthen its institutions and reduce levels of crime and corruption.
Yearbook 2005
Angola. A long-anticipated process of conducting democratic elections beginning in 2006 began when an electoral law was adopted and an electoral commission began its work. According to countryaah, Luanda is the capital and one of the major cities within the country of Angola. It was stated that President José Eduardo dos Santos is allowed to run for up to three terms. dos Santos has been president since 1979 but has never been formally elected.
- Also see abbreviationfinder.org for how the acronym AO stands for the country of Angola and other meanings of this two-letter abbreviation.
Economy
| Inflation rate | 29.80% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% |
| Gross domestic product (GDP) | 193,600,000,000 USD |
| GDP growth rate | -2.50% |
| GDP per capita | 6,800 USD |
| GDP by sector | |
| Agriculture | 10.20% |
| Industry | 61.40% |
| Service | 28.40% |
| State budget | |
| Revenue | 14.07 billion |
| Expenditure | 10.78 billion |
| Proportion of the population below the national poverty line | 40.5% |
| Distribution of household income | |
| Top 10% | 44.7 |
| Lower 10% | 0.6 |
| Industrial production growth rate | 0.90% |
| Investment volume | 15.6% of GDP |
| National debt | 65.00% of GDP |
| Foreign exchange reserves | $ 18,100,000,000 |
| Tourism | 2014 |
| Number of visitors | 595,000 |
| Revenue | $ 1,597,000,000 |
While Angola is slowly normalizing after many years of war, and about 4 million displaced people have been able to return to their homes since 2002, several hundred thousand were reported to be living in extremely difficult conditions beyond the reach of relief efforts. Worst, the situation was reported to be in the southeastern province of Kuando Kubango, where some 400,000 people live scattered over vast, mined and almost roadless areas. Human rights organizations suspected that those in need were exposed not only to physical isolation but also to political isolation, as the province is a stronghold of the former guerrillas, now the opposition party, UNITA.
From the enclave Cabinda, sandwiched between the two Congo states, came occasional reports of army offensive against the separatist guerrilla Frente de Libertação do Estado de Cabinda (State of Cabinda’s Liberation Front, FLEC) and abuse of the civilian population.
Angola was affected in the second quarter by the most severe outbreak of the viral disease marburg fever. Nearly 400 people died, mainly in the northern province of Uige, before the epidemic subsided.
