HOST COUNTRY KEY FACTS
Population: According to a 2014 census, 25.8 million people live in Angola. The official language is Portuguese, though indigenous Bantu languages are widely spoken.
Area: At 1.25 million square kilometres, the country is about the same size as Peru or South Africa, and more than twice as big as Spain or Thailand.
History: Angola is still rebuilding after a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002. It began when rebel factions fought each other after winning independence from Portugal in 1975.
Government: President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Angola has a presidential system of government with elections every five years. The next elections are scheduled for 2017.
Economy: Angola has enjoyed strong economic growth driven by its oil industry. Still, most of the population earns a living from agriculture.
Environment: The plain along Angola’s Atlantic coast is backed by a vast plateau, much of it covered with forest. Rivers include the Cubango/Okavango, one of southern Africa’s longest, which drains into the Kalahari Desert in Botswana.
Wildlife: The fauna and flora is rich and diverse. Key animals include elephants and giant sable antelope, an impressive long-horned leaf-eater found only in Angola and listed as critically endangered.