37 Facts About Angola Most People Get Wrong

Angola was a Portuguese colony for over 400 years.

Angola has the second largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Kalandula Falls are among Africa's largest waterfalls.

Angola emerged from a 27-year civil war only in 2002.

Angola's civil war (1975-2002) killed an estimated 500,000 people; it was one of the Cold War's most brutal proxy conflicts, with the US, Soviet Union, Cuba, and South Africa all involved.

Angola is Africa's second-largest oil producer after Nigeria, and oil accounts for over 95% of the country's export revenues.

At the height of the oil boom in the 2000s, Luanda was the world's most expensive city for expatriates, with apartments costing more than Manhattan.

Angola's Okavango River flows northeast into Botswana, forming the Okavango Delta, one of the world's most spectacular wildlife havens; the river's source lies entirely in Angola.

The ancient Kingdom of Kongo, centered in what is now northern Angola and DRC, was one of the most powerful kingdoms in sub-Saharan Africa when Portuguese explorers arrived in 1482.

Queen Nzinga (Ana de Sousa Nzinga) ruled the kingdom of Ndongo and Matamba in the 17th century and became a symbol of African resistance to Portuguese colonization; she is depicted on Angolan currency.

Angola was a major source of enslaved people for the Atlantic slave trade; over 4 million Angolans were enslaved and shipped to Brazil alone between 1500 and 1850.

Angola's civil war ended only when UNITA rebel leader Jonas Savimbi was killed in battle in 2002, after 27 years of conflict that began the day of independence.

The Namib Desert along Angola's southern coast contains one of the world's oldest desert ecosystems; some plants and animals there have evolved in isolation for over 80 million years.

The Welwitschia mirabilis plant, found in Angola's and Namibia's Namib Desert, can live for over 1,000 years; some specimens are believed to be over 2,000 years old.

Angola's Bie Plateau contains the source of multiple major African rivers, including the Zambezi, Okavango (Cubango), and Cuando.

Luanda was founded by Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais in 1576, making it one of the oldest European-founded cities in sub-Saharan Africa.

The giant sable antelope (Palanca negra), Angola's national symbol, nearly went extinct during the civil war; conservation efforts since 2002 have stabilized the population.

Angola's Kissama National Park, devastated by the civil war, was restocked in 2001 via Operation Noah's Ark, which airlifted elephants, buffalo, and zebra from South Africa.

The Chokwe people of eastern Angola are renowned for creating some of the most sophisticated masks in African art; their Pwo mask is one of the most sought-after African art objects globally.

Angola's music tradition, including semba (the predecessor of Brazilian samba) and kizomba, has profoundly influenced global music through the African diaspora.

Angola's 1,650 km Atlantic coastline has beaches considered some of the most beautiful in Africa, with enormous untapped tourism potential.

Angola has one of Africa's fastest-growing middle classes since the end of the civil war, though inequality between the oil-rich elite and the rural poor remains extreme.

Angola's coffee, particularly its Robusta variety from the colonial era, was once considered some of the finest in the world; production collapsed during the war but has since recovered.

The Dembos region of northern Angola was a center of resistance to Portuguese colonization for centuries; guerrilla fighters trained there for the independence war of the 1960s-1970s.

Angola has Africa's largest population of African grey parrots, the most intelligent parrot species, which have been heavily trafficked for the global pet trade.

Angola's diamond mining industry makes it one of Africa's top gem producers; diamonds from the Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces are among the finest in the world.

Angola is located in Southern Africa, Africa, with its capital city in Luanda.

The population of Angola is approximately 35.6M, spread across 1,246,700 km² of territory.

Angola has a population density of 29/km²: a moderate density for its region.

Angola has a coastline of 1,600 km, giving it access to maritime trade, fishing and coastal tourism.

Angola shares land borders with 5 countries: DR Congo, Zambia, Namibia, DR Congo, Republic of the Congo.

The official language of Angola is Portuguese.

Angola uses the Kwanza (AOA) as its official currency.

Angola gained independence in 1975, establishing itself as a sovereign nation in Southern Africa.

The total GDP of Angola is $92B, with a GDP per capita of $2,584, classifying it as a developing economy.

Angola has a tropical, dry season may–october climate, with the best time to visit being May–October.

Angola is considered a Mid destination for travellers, with meals averaging $5–12.

💧 Kalandula Falls

One of Africa's largest waterfalls, 105m high and 400m wide in lush jungle

🏔️ Tundavala Gap

Dramatic 1,000m escarpment with stunning views over the Angolan plains

🐘 Kissama National Park

Angola's premier wildlife park, home to elephants, buffalo and rare giant sable antelope

🌊 Luanda Bay

The stunning bay and waterfront of Angola's capital, one of Africa's most expensive cities