Angola is one of the largest countries in Africa with a surface area of 1 246 700km

Coastline: 1 600km

Capital: Luanda

Provinces: 18

Population:

Approximately 11 million people with between 3 and 5 million living in Luanda

Literacy rate: 42%

Religions: Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15%, Indigenous beliefs 47%

Official language: Portuguese

Currency: The Kwanza

Economy:

Exports include: oil, diamonds, coffee, various minerals, fish, timber, sisal

Imports include: machinery, food, medicines, chemical products, vehicles and spare parts, textiles, military goods, electrical goods

Agricultural products produced include: tobacco, sugarcane, bananas, vegetables, livestock, fish, coffee

Political:

Date of Independence: 11 November 1975 from Portugal

President: President José Eduardo dos Santos

Main Political Parties: The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)

Local Time:

 Angola is one hour ahead of GMT.

Electrical Power:

 Electric current is 220v. The type of plugs used are the round two prong types.

Weather:

Luanda has a moderate climate.
The months of February, March and April are very hot with high humidity and its is also the time of the heaviest rain.
Temperatures seldom reach more than 38 degrees c. Luanda receives light rain during September/October the time of small rains ("pequenas chuvas")

The cool dusty season starts from mid-May to mid-August ("Cassimbo"), during this period the weather is nearly always overcast but with no rain.
Dust pollution during this period is very high.
This is also the so called "winter" season although temperatures never drop lower than 18 degrees c.

Credit Cards
The use of these is very limited here so always first confirm with a restaurant or hotel if they will accept it or not.

Housing
There is a shortage of good houses. Suitable apartments are hard to find. There are some housing camps on the outskirts of the city but these are far out and traffic into the city can be extremely congested especially in the rainy season. Rental of a standard family house will cost around $5 000 per month. Houses in and around the city vary in price according to the area. In a good neighbourhood a family house will cost anything from $6 000 to $10 000. Sometimes houses can be rented including the furniture for not much difference in the price.

Apartment rentals cost anything upward of $3 000.

Television
  Angolan Television Network (TPA) only broadcasts in Portuguese. Satellite television is available on the C-band from South Africa's DSTV

Telephones -
Landlines are sometimes hard to come by. Angola Telecom is the country's  service provider. Local and International communications can sometimes be difficult in that connections are often lost and there can be a lot of interference.

There are two cell phone service providers, Telemovel and Unitel. In order to make a call to a cell phone from a landline one must first dial 091 or 092 depending on the service provider of the person you are trying to call.

Internet
  There are a number of Internet service providers.

South Africans need a visa to visit Angola.
Please contact the Angolan Embassy for more information

Sightseeing and things to do:

The Marginale and bay of Luanda

The cultural delights within the Humbi-Humbi art gallery in Luanda.

The Museum of Slavery, 25km along the coast from Luanda.

The impressive spectacle of the Calandula Waterfalls, located in the Malanje area. The views are particularly mighty at the end of the rainy season.

The many coastal forts, including the famous Fort Sao Miguel, built in 1789 to serve as a slave depot and residence for the Portuguese community.

The magnificent scenery of Palmeirinhas, a long, deserted beach approximately 45km (28 miles) south of Luanda. Visitors should note that bathing here is hazardous. 

Nightlife and resturants

Some popular beaches

Ilha de Mussulo - Currents can be strong so beware but otherwise beaches are clean and beautiful especially on the ocean side.

Cabo Ledo Beach - 120km south of Luanda (take precautions travelling this far)

Ilha de Luanda - Ocean side only.
Pollution can sometimes be a problem but relaxing and sunbathing at the many nice restaurants can be pleasant. Keep a watchful eye, as petty crime can be a problem.

Boating

Clube A.D.M Futungo. Membership is required. Boat slipway, storage and bar and restaurant facilities are available.

Clube Naval - Ilha de Luanda. Membership is required and boating facilities include moorings and storage. A restaurant and bar are also available.

Clube Nuno Alvarres: Ilha de Luanda. Membership required.

Fishing

Excellent fishing and even game fishing can be had in the waters around Luanda. Do not fish in the Bay of Luanda, as it is very polluted. Fishing charters leave from "Onjango" Mussulo Tourism Resort on Illha de Mussulo.

Other sports:

Swimming

In the Alvalade area there is an Olympic size swimming pool open to the public. There is also a snack bar available.

Squash

Squash venues can be found.

Tennis

Coqueiros, Rua Manuel Caldeira, is a club with four courts, which requires a membership fee. It is possible for non-members to play.

Golf

Luanda has a nine-hole golf course about 15 km south of the city. There is no clubhouse.

Jogging

Mostly along the Marginale

Please consult other sources in Angola or by searching the internet for more information.

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Angolan Public Holidays
New Years Day	1 January
MPLA Anniversary	4 February
Carnival Day	Feb/March*
Good Friday	Mar/ April*
Workers Day	1 May
Agostinho Neto Day	17 September
All Souls Day	1 November
Angolan Independence Day	11 November
Christmas Day	25 December

*Exact date depends on the Easter Holiday.