Republic of Angola or Republica de Angola in Portuguese. Angola’s name originates from the Portuguese colonial Reino de Angola.
Angola National Anthem:
O Fatherland, we shall never forget, The heroes of the Fourth of
February. O Fatherland, we salute your sons, Who died for our Independence. We
honor the past and our history, As by our work we build the New Man. We honor
the past and our history, As by our work we build the New Man. Chorus: Onwards, Angola! Revolution through the power
of the People! A United Country, Freedom, One People, one Nation! Let us raise
our liberated voices, To the glory of the peoples of Africa. We shall march,
Angolan fighters, In solidarity with oppressed peoples. We shall fight proudly
for Peace, Along with the progressive forces of the world. We shall fight
proudly for Peace Along with the progressive forces of the world.
Name- Republic of Angola or Republica
de Angola in Portuguese. Angola’s
name originates from the Portuguese colonial Reino de Angola.
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| Angola |
Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Size -
Slightly less than twice the size of Texas and 24 times bigger than Republic of
Bosnia. Angola is the seventh largest country in Africa 1.25m sq km or 481,354
sq miles. Parts of Angola are contaminated with mines as a result of four
decades of almost continuous warfare, making it the most mine-affected country
in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the most mined countries in the world.
Capital: Luanda has
about 2.5 million residents founded in 1575 by the Portuguese. Major cities are
Amboim, Bailundo, Benguela, Caála, Calandula, Camacupa, Chibia, Ganda, Huambo,
Kuito, Kuvango, Lubango, Luena, Massango, Mbanza Congo Menongue, Namibe,
N’Dalatando, N’Giva, Saurimo, Soyo, Sumbe, Tombua, and Uíje.
Major Ethnic Groups:
Ovimbundu 37%- The
Ovimbundu people also called Umbundu, inhabit the Bié Plateau in Angola and
speak the Umbundu language.
Kimbundu 25%- The Kimbundu
ethnic group or Mbundu speak the Kimbundu language.
Bakongo 13%- The Bakongo
speaks the Kikongo language.
Languages:
Portuguese is the official language, Umbundu, Kimbundu, and Kikongo
Population:
Around 20 million as of July 2012
Administrative divisions:
18 provinces Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Kwando Kubango, Kwanza Norte,
Kwanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje,
Moxico, Namibe, Uige, and Zaire.
Independence:
The Alvor Agreement signed on January 15, 1975, granted Angola independence
from Portugal on November 11, 1975.
President:
Jose Eduardo dos Santos has been in power since 1979, and is Africa's
second-longest serving head of state after Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang.
Anti-personnel
landmines: The Republic of Angola signed the Mine Ban
Treaty on December 4, 1997 however, since 1994 Halo has removed and destroyed
21,300 anti-personnel and anti-tank mines so far with its efforts steadily
moving out from the town center to areas farther afield.
Capoeira
Angola: Capoeira is a dancing fighting performance art form known all
over the world especially in Brazil and Angola where it’s considered a cultural
heritage.
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| Flag of Angola |
National symbols:
The national flag consists of two colors
in horizontal bands. The upper band is bright red and the lower one black and
they represent: Bright red represents blood shed by Angolans, Black represents the
African continent. In the center there is a composition formed by a segment of
a cog wheel, symbolizing the workers and industrial production; a machete symbolizing
the peasants, agricultural production and the armed struggle; and a star, symbolizing
international solidarity and progress. The cog wheel, the machete and the star
is yellow, symbolizing the country’s wealth.
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| Coat of Arms of Angola |
Coat of Arms: The insignia of the Republic of Angola is formed by a
segment of a cog wheel and sheaves of maize, coffee and cotton, representing
respectively the workers and industrial production, the peasants and
agricultural production. At the foot of the design, an open book represents
education and culture, and the rising sun represents the new country. In the center
is a machete and a hoe symbolizing work and the start of the armed struggle. At
the top a star symbolizing international solidarity and progress. In the lower
part of the emblem is a golden band with the inscription ‘Republic of Angola’.
Angola Avante or Onwards Angola is the national anthem of
the Republic of Angola.
Angola national cultural symbols:
Welwitschia plant, imbondeiro or baobab tree, Giant Sable African Antelope,
sculpture O Pensador or the Thinker.
