The Republic of Angola

The Republic of Angola, located on the west-central coast of Southern Africa, is a country rich in cultural heritage and historical significance. It is the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country globally, both in terms of area and population, and the seventh-largest country in Africa. Angola is bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The exclave province of Cabinda is located north of the main territory and borders both the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Luanda, the capital and largest city, serves as the political and economic center.

 

Angola has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age. Its history as a nation-state began with the Kingdom of Kongo, a dominant state among Kikongo-speaking kingdoms that thrived from the 14th century. The Kingdom of Kongo became wealthy through the Atlantic slave trade with the Portuguese Empire, which began with initial contact in 1483. Over time, Portuguese settlers established coastal settlements and trading posts. The abolition of the slave trade in the 19th century disrupted Kongo’s economy, leading to increased European settlement in the interior. Angola’s modern borders were established in the early 20th century after resistance from native groups like the Cuamato, Kwanyama, and Mbunda.

Following a long anti-colonial struggle from 1961 to 1974, Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975. However, independence was followed by a brutal civil war, pitting the Soviet and Cuban-backed People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) against the U.S. and South Africa-supported National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA), backed by Zaire. The MPLA emerged victorious and has remained in power since.

Since the civil war ended in 2002, Angola has seen relative stability and growth as a constitutional republic. Despite this progress, the country continues to face challenges, including economic dependency on oil, social inequality, and rebuilding from decades of conflict.