Angola

Republic of Angola
The Republic of Angola is an African nation located in the southwestern part of the continent where it shares its borders with Namibia, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since the 16th century, Angola was a Portuguese colony until the country and its people were granted their independence in 1975. As of 2009, the estimated population is said to be 18,498,000 where it is composed of 37% Ovimbundu, 25% Ambundu, 13% Bakongo, 2% mixed European and African, 1% European, and 22% of other ethnic groups. The majority of Angola’s population is comprised from Ambundu and Ovimbundu which combines for 62% of the population in the country. The official language of Angola is Portuguese but due to the many different ethnic groups in the country from previous centuries, other languages are spoken as well. Luanda, the capital and the largest city of Angola, is the economic stronghold and workhorse for the county. Over a third of Angolans live in the city, although around 50% live in poverty.
Throughout the years, Angola has faced many different challenges and problems that have shaped the country for the better or worse. Since their independence in 1975, Angola fell into a severe and deadly civil war that lasted three decades that was brought to an end in 2002. Through this transformation of the country, Angola has seen its fair share of changes and improvements. Angola’s economy has had a strong turnaround ever since the civil war ceased in 2002. Currently, Angola has had one of the fastest growing economies in the world with the GDP, or gross domestic product, rising over 20% between the years 2005 and 2007. Oil and diamonds make up a large percentage of the economy in the country and with growing demand and prices for oil, Angola continues to thrive economically.
In the early 1970’s, Angola was facing a transitional period where the colonial power, Portugal, was losing its grasp on the country. As rebel groups fought against the Portuguese