ANGOLA
AFRICA
GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Angola.
Capital
Luanda.
Geography
According to allcitycodes, Angola is located on the southwest coast of Africa. In the north it borders on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the east on Zambia, in the south on Namibia and in the west on the Atlantic Ocean. The mountains on the coast form a highland that makes up almost the entire land area. To the south, in the direction of the Namib Desert, the country becomes drier, but lush vegetation thrives in the north. The Cabinda exclave, north of Angola, is surrounded by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congo.
Government
Republic since 1975. Old constitution from 1975, last amended in 1992. The new constitution was recognized in 2010. End of the civil war in 2002. The parliament (220 members) is elected every 4 years. Independent since 1975 (former Portuguese colony).
Head of state
José Eduardo dos Santos, since 1979, is also head of government and commander in chief of the armed forces.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
West Africa Time: CET +2
TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety information
Travel over land
The civil war in Angola ended in 2002. As a long-term consequence, landmine hazards remain in some parts of the country outside of the big cities. Therefore, inquiries should be made about the risks associated with specific travel routes. The NGO HALO Trust (external link, opens in new window www.halotrust.org / [email protected]) has overviews of the mines recorded.
As the 2010 attack by the FLEC separatists on the Togolese national soccer team shows, a complete pacification of the province and exclave Cabinda cannot be safely assumed, despite the massive presence of the Angolan military.
In March 2016, the Cabinda Liberation Front threatened to resume fighting in Cabinda. We therefore strongly advise against traveling to the province of Cabinda.
Caution is advised when traveling to the diamond regions (especially Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces). These trips should not be undertaken on your own.
Crime
Armed attacks occur particularly in Luanda, but also in the rest of the country. Raids and thefts in Luanda do not only take place after dark, but also during the day in busy surroundings, such as in and around shopping centers, restaurants and hotels in districts such as Viana, Talatona and Ilha. Due to recent events (murder of a Portuguese couple, kidnapping of a French citizen), caution is advised when using the Express Way between Benfica and the 11 November Stadium.
Foreigners are the preferred target of theft and robbery. The perpetrators are not only targeting cash, but also credit cards and cell phones. Particular care is advised when using the phone on the street. Walking in the dark should generally be avoided.
In Luanda in particular, assaults are being carried out on vehicles that are unable to escape in stationary traffic. Regardless of the time of day, these attacks are mainly carried out by armed perpetrators on motorcycles.
Vehicle checks by the police are often used to extort bribes for actual or alleged rule violations (often: illegal left turns). Here you should insist on the correct issue of a ticket (multa).
MONEY
Currency
1 new kwanza = 100 centimos. Currency abbreviation: Kz, AOA (ISO code). There are banknotes in denominations of 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 Kw; Coins exist to the value of 50 centimos as well as 20, 10, 5 and 1 Kw.
Credit cards
Only accepted in some large hotels.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 8.45am-4pm.
Foreign exchange regulations
Obligation to declare foreign currencies for imports and exports with a value of US $ 10,000 or more. Export only in the amount of the declared import minus the exchange amounts (proof). The import and export of the national currency is only allowed up to a value of 50,000 Kwanza.
Currency Exchange
Money should only be exchanged in official exchange offices. Changing money on the black market is illegal. You should only swap when necessary. US dollars are also accepted (100 dollar notes printed as of 1996 only).
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Portuguese. Most of the residents speak Bantu languages (Ombundu, Kimbundu, Chokwe, Lwena, Kikongo).
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Angola duty-free:
400 cigarettes, 500 g tobacco or 500 g cigars (people over 18 years of age);
1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine (18+);
50 ml perfume and 250 ml eau de toilette;
500 g coffee, 100 g tea,
1 laptop or 1 tablet
3 mobile phones and accessories as
good as new goods with a total value of over 118,260 Kwanza (corresponds to around US $ 1000 depending on the exchange rate) must be declared.
Import restrictions
A special permit is required for animal products, animals and parts of animals. Weapons and ammunition may only be imported with an import permit from the Angolan authorities.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Summer suits or costumes are recommended. Local business people are dressed casually. Dark colors are appropriate for social occasions. Knowledge of Portuguese, French or Spanish is an advantage as there are only a few interpreters. The vacation months June to September should be avoided.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.-6.00 p.m. some banks and shops also Sat 8.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m.
Economy
Camara de Comércio e Indústria de Angola (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
Largo do Kinaxixi 14, CP 92, Luanda
Tel: (02) 44 45 06.
Internet: www.ccia.ebonet.net
Business contacts
Camara de Comércio e Indústria de Angola (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
Largo do Kinaxixi 14, CP 92, Luanda
Tel: (02) 44 45 06.
Internet: www.ccia.ebonet.net
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Until recently, international calls had to be made through an operator. International direct dialing is now increasingly possible after Luanda. Angola’s telephone company is Angola Telecom (Internet: www.angolatelecom.com/en/home/index.htm).
Cellphone
GSM 900 and CDMA 2000 (Code Division Multiple Access). Network operator is UNITEL S. arl. The reception / transmission range is currently limited to Luanda and the surrounding area.
Internet
The provider is Nexus (Internet: http://www.nexus.ao or www.ebonet.net or www.netangola.com); there are internet cafes in Luanda.
Post Office
Airmail shipments to Europe take 5-10 days. Domestic mail is relatively reliable.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Traditional arts and crafts are offered in Luanda. Outside of the big cities there are hardly any shopping opportunities.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There are several night clubs and cinemas in Luanda. Early booking of tickets is also recommended here. The popular kizombas offer African music and local food.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Many Angola hotels have recently been renovated and now offer air conditioning, telephones, radios and private bathrooms. However, the offer is limited, so book well in advance. Hotels are particularly expensive in Luanda. Further information is available from SATUL (Sociedade Angolana de Empreendimentos Turisticos e Hotelaria, LDA), Rua do Carmo 8, Luanda. (Tel: (02) 33 21 19). There are also accommodations in the Kissama National Park (see Vacation Places & Excursions).
CULTURE
Religion
(47%) natural religions and Christianity (predominantly Catholicism (38%) and Protestants (15%)).
Social rules of conduct
The usual forms of courtesy should be observed. Taking photos: Public facilities, events or buildings and soldiers are not allowed to be photographed. In the event of a violation, loss of the film, photographic equipment or arrest can be expected. Tipping is officially seen reluctantly. If not included in the invoice, approx. 10%. Cigarettes are gladly accepted.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
In the north during the summer months November to April hot and humid; in the winter months from May to October a little cooler and considerably drier. In the south it is almost continuously hot, and slightly cooler in winter.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +244 Area (sqkm) 1246700 Population 19625353 Population density (per sqkm) 16 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 112