What do we know about Angola
Published: 06:12 AM,Dec 18,2024 | EDITED : 10:12 AM,Dec 18,2024
Capital Luanda
Muscat: As President Joao Lourenco of the Republic of Angola will pay an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on Thursday, we look at some of the interesting facts about the country.
It is situated in the western part of Southern Africa and its neighboring countries are the Republic of Congo to the north, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the East, the Republic of Namibia to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the West.
The country's area extends to 1,246.700 sqm, including 1,650 kilometers in the Atlantic Ocean and a land Border spread over 4,837 kilometers.
Angola's main river is the Kwanza. after which the national currency is named. Of its 1,500 kilometers of length, only 240km are navigable.
The Angolan rivers provide opportunities for businesses of tourist interest of mixed commerce-tourism type and even eco-tourism.
Angola is a rich country in mineral resources. Its subsoil is estimated to hold 35 of the 45 most relevant minerals in the world trade, with oil stress. natural gas. diamond, phosphate, and bituminous substances. iron, copper, magnesium, gold, and ornamental rocks.
In the Maiombe forest, there are gorillas, chimpanzees, and parrots. In the most humid natural zones of the north, center, and east, we can find the 'golungo'. the sable giant antelope, an endemic species in the world, threatened with extinction, the 'seixa' and the elephant. In the drier regions, herds of springbok. gemsbok or oryx. gnus, impalas. leopards. buffalos. elephants. zebras and giraffes can be spotted. Animals can be found in almost all of the territory which includes hyenas. red antelope. lion, leopard, and hippopotamus.
The marine fauna includes a large variety of fish and shellfish which are also found in rivers that are also the home to crocodiles or alligators.
About 65 percent of the territory is situated between 1000 and 1,600 meters of altitude.
The official currency is the Kwanza. The Official Language is Portuguese and various local languages that are most widely spoken are IGkongo and Kimbundo. Tchokwe, Umbundo, Mbunda. Kwanyama. Nhaneca. Fiote and Nganguela.
Mayombe Rainforest
Aside from being the second-largest forest in the world, the Mayombe is also known as Maiombe or Mayumbe. It covers 1.800000km2 of land with 36000km2 making up the central and more untouched part of the forest. A protected area is planned to help preserve this majestic forest.
The Climate
Angola has two types of climates, the rainy station, which is hotter between September and May, and the dry climate, which is less hot from May to September.
The coastal region has an annual relative humidity of 30 percent and average temperatures higher than 23°C:
The Inland Region sub-divided in the Northern Zone gets heavy rains and high temperatures
The country's average temperatures are: 27°C maximum and 17°C minimum.
This climatic diversity corresponds to a tourist potential represented by a very rich natural asset of diversified flora and fauna, propitiating the practice of all sorts of leisure activities, hobbies, and adventures.
People
About half of the population is associated with the Catholic Church, while another part is with one of the protestant churches introduced during the colonial period.
The official language is Portuguese and there are about 42 languages, Kimbundu, Umbundu, Kicongo, and Tchokwe the most widely spoken.
Places to visit in Angola
Iona National Park is known by its Portuguese name, Parque Nacional do Iona and it is considered the widest park in the country. You can find this park in the southwest region of Angola, in the Namibe Province and it offers you around 15,200 square kilometres to explore and enjoy.
Baia dos Tigres was initially a little peninsula on the East side of Angola but nature had other plans with this piece of land. The isthmus of the area was in the south while on the other side, there was a cozy fishing village named Tigres.
The ocean was very strong in 1962 and sent its waves through the isthmus which made the peninsula separate as an island. This is how Tiger Village changed its status into an island status almost in a matter of hours.
Serra da Leba Pass is named after a Portuguese woman who designed and built the road, who died after she viewed it on the very day the project was finished. Serra de Leba is a great place to be for those who love mountains and hiking experiences. It gets to 1.845 meters in height and offers a breathtaking view once you climb on top of it.
Foz du Cunene & Namibe Desert
The perfect contrast between the ocean and the Namibe desert is illustrated in Foz du Cunene where you will find a truly magical realm. If you make it to this part of Angola, south of Iona National Park, you will find a true natural heaven to admire. Foz du Cunene is enriched with unique dunes, rocky plains, and salty swamps. The famous dunes end their course into the sea which creates quite a spectacle for travellers to see.
Luanda is its capital, known for its beaches, some ruins of the Portuguese colonial times as well as museums and other historical monuments. Since this is the main city in the country.
It is situated in the western part of Southern Africa and its neighboring countries are the Republic of Congo to the north, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the East, the Republic of Namibia to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the West.
The country's area extends to 1,246.700 sqm, including 1,650 kilometers in the Atlantic Ocean and a land Border spread over 4,837 kilometers.
Angola's main river is the Kwanza. after which the national currency is named. Of its 1,500 kilometers of length, only 240km are navigable.
The Angolan rivers provide opportunities for businesses of tourist interest of mixed commerce-tourism type and even eco-tourism.
Angola is a rich country in mineral resources. Its subsoil is estimated to hold 35 of the 45 most relevant minerals in the world trade, with oil stress. natural gas. diamond, phosphate, and bituminous substances. iron, copper, magnesium, gold, and ornamental rocks.
In the Maiombe forest, there are gorillas, chimpanzees, and parrots. In the most humid natural zones of the north, center, and east, we can find the 'golungo'. the sable giant antelope, an endemic species in the world, threatened with extinction, the 'seixa' and the elephant. In the drier regions, herds of springbok. gemsbok or oryx. gnus, impalas. leopards. buffalos. elephants. zebras and giraffes can be spotted. Animals can be found in almost all of the territory which includes hyenas. red antelope. lion, leopard, and hippopotamus.
The marine fauna includes a large variety of fish and shellfish which are also found in rivers that are also the home to crocodiles or alligators.
About 65 percent of the territory is situated between 1000 and 1,600 meters of altitude.
The official currency is the Kwanza. The Official Language is Portuguese and various local languages that are most widely spoken are IGkongo and Kimbundo. Tchokwe, Umbundo, Mbunda. Kwanyama. Nhaneca. Fiote and Nganguela.
Mayombe Rainforest
Aside from being the second-largest forest in the world, the Mayombe is also known as Maiombe or Mayumbe. It covers 1.800000km2 of land with 36000km2 making up the central and more untouched part of the forest. A protected area is planned to help preserve this majestic forest.
The Climate
Angola has two types of climates, the rainy station, which is hotter between September and May, and the dry climate, which is less hot from May to September.
The coastal region has an annual relative humidity of 30 percent and average temperatures higher than 23°C:
The Inland Region sub-divided in the Northern Zone gets heavy rains and high temperatures
The country's average temperatures are: 27°C maximum and 17°C minimum.
This climatic diversity corresponds to a tourist potential represented by a very rich natural asset of diversified flora and fauna, propitiating the practice of all sorts of leisure activities, hobbies, and adventures.
People
About half of the population is associated with the Catholic Church, while another part is with one of the protestant churches introduced during the colonial period.
The official language is Portuguese and there are about 42 languages, Kimbundu, Umbundu, Kicongo, and Tchokwe the most widely spoken.
Places to visit in Angola
Iona National Park is known by its Portuguese name, Parque Nacional do Iona and it is considered the widest park in the country. You can find this park in the southwest region of Angola, in the Namibe Province and it offers you around 15,200 square kilometres to explore and enjoy.
Baia dos Tigres was initially a little peninsula on the East side of Angola but nature had other plans with this piece of land. The isthmus of the area was in the south while on the other side, there was a cozy fishing village named Tigres.
The ocean was very strong in 1962 and sent its waves through the isthmus which made the peninsula separate as an island. This is how Tiger Village changed its status into an island status almost in a matter of hours.
Serra da Leba Pass is named after a Portuguese woman who designed and built the road, who died after she viewed it on the very day the project was finished. Serra de Leba is a great place to be for those who love mountains and hiking experiences. It gets to 1.845 meters in height and offers a breathtaking view once you climb on top of it.
Foz du Cunene & Namibe Desert
The perfect contrast between the ocean and the Namibe desert is illustrated in Foz du Cunene where you will find a truly magical realm. If you make it to this part of Angola, south of Iona National Park, you will find a true natural heaven to admire. Foz du Cunene is enriched with unique dunes, rocky plains, and salty swamps. The famous dunes end their course into the sea which creates quite a spectacle for travellers to see.
Luanda is its capital, known for its beaches, some ruins of the Portuguese colonial times as well as museums and other historical monuments. Since this is the main city in the country.