Angola:

Angola is a Southern African nation situated to the north of Namibia, south of the Democratic Republic of Congo, off the South Atlantic Ocean.

The country has made significant strides as it undergoes a rebuilding process following the end of almost thirty years of civil war.

The conflict was fought mainly between UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) and the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola).

The fighting officially ended following the signing of a peace agreement in 2002 soon after Jonas Savimbi (the UNITA leader) was shot. It is estimated that the conflict cost the lives of about 1.5 million people and about 4 million Angolans were displaced as a result of the war. Angola is a former Portuguese colony and attained its independence on the 11th of November 1975.

Administration:

The Country is divided into 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire. The city of Luanda is the administrative capital of the country.