20 interesting facts about Angola

The country of Angola appeared on the maps as an independent state after the Portuguese colonialists left Africa, giving the former colonies independence. But these lands were ruined by them for a long time, and after their departure, chaos began altogether, which has not completely stopped to this day.

Facts about Angola

1. There is not a single one here fast food restaurant «McDonald’s».
2. When the Portuguese arrived here, they met fierce resistance. Then, on the site of modern Angola, the state of Ndongo existed, but the European conquerors defeated it and established their control over all the surrounding lands.
3. The capital of Angola, the city of Luanda, rightfully deserves the title of a city of contrasts. Prices here are higher than in many European capitals, while a poor slum can be located across the street from fashionable restaurants. Luanda has repeatedly ranked first in the list of the most expensive cities in the world (interesting facts about the cities of the world).
4. Many slaves captured in Africa once went to North and South America through the port of Luanda.
5. For unknown reasons, the most popular type of music in Angola is Brazilian. However, Brazilian musical traditions have African roots, so this is understandable.
6. Luanda has been the Angolan capital since the 16th century.
7. Across the country, except for the part that occupied by the Namib Desert, baobabs are widespread.
8. Most Angolan establishments do not serve meat dishes on Fridays, adhering to fasting.
9. About 90% of the inhabitants of Angola are Christians. Approximately half of them are Catholics.
10. Only in Angola and Namibia is the amazing velvichia plant found. It can live for over 1000 years, and it has only two leaves that continuously grow throughout its life (interesting facts about Namibia).
11. Angola’s economy is approximately 85% dependent on the extraction and sale of oil. At the same time, there are enough other values ​​in the bowels of the country. In particular, there are many diamond deposits here.
12. Despite the fact that about 80% of working Angolans are employed in the agricultural sector, about 80% of all food consumed in the country is imported. Because extremely primitive technologies are still in use here, and yields are low.
13. The economy of Angola is growing faster than the economy of all other countries in South Africa. But the gap between rich and poor here still remains one of the strongest in the world.
14. About half of the Angolans are not literate.
15. Portuguese is the state language of Angola. This is one of the few African countries where a significant proportion of the population actually speaks the official language (interesting facts about the languages ​​of the world).
16. After gaining independence in 1975, Angola was engulfed in a protracted civil war that lasted 27 years.
17. About 50% of the local population lives below the poverty line.
18. The average life expectancy in Angola does not exceed 40 years.
19. About 1% of the country’s population are Europeans, mostly Portuguese.
20. Almost all paved roads in Angola date back to colonial times, so they are slowly deteriorating now. At the same time, there are even deposits of natural asphalt in the country.