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Angola is in South-Central Africa. It is enclosed by Namibia in the south, Zambia in the east and the Republic of Congo, as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the north, and with a west coast along the Atlantic Ocean. The exclave territory Cabinda has a boundary with the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Angola was a Portuguese colony from the 16th century to 1975. The country is the second-largest petroleum and diamond producer in sub-Saharan Africa, yet its people are among the continents poorest. According to the International Monetary Fund, more than $4 billion in oil receipts have vanished from Angola's treasury in the 2000s. In August 2006, a peace deal was signed with separatist rebels from the Cabinda exclave in the North. About 65% of Angola's oil comes from that region. Talk: A very small percentage of the local population can converse in English. Traveling in Angola therefore requires a least of knowledge of the Portuguese language. Also, due to the fact that lots of people travel from neighboring countries to Angola, it is sometimes possible to use French and Afrikaans (for Namibian / South African people). Culture: Portugal ruled over Angola for 400 years and both countries share cultural aspects: language (Portuguese) and major religion (Roman Catholic Christianity). The Angolan culture is mostly native Bantu which was mixed with Portuguese culture. In the Moxico province more than 10,000 persons are Spanish-speaking (ca. 4.34% of the population of this province) due to the presence of Cuban troops during the civil war. The people of Angola are stoics. They have a deep understanding of patience, and they know that it will always turn out right, no matter what, because now peace has been brought. They can go to school, play, dance, work, and live without fear. One thing that isn't there today will arrive and be here tomorrow. Life is a really Angolan art. Eat: Generally, dining and eating in general is not very simple in Angola, not even in Luanda because food is costly and many of the less well prepared restaurants have poor germ-free conditions. Nonetheless, Angolan cuisine is varied and tasteful, with local dishes based mainly on fish, cassava products and spicy stews. Angolan seafood is abundant and very good, and the Angolan coast is a special place to eat fresh lobster right off the fisherman's boat. Buy: Just south of Luanda, the Benfica Handcrafts Market offers the best prices for handcrafts and souvenirs. This is an open market where local artists and artisans display their products, and bargaining is not only acceptable but recommended. The products range from sculptures and paintings to jewelry, batik cloths and accessories. Sleep: World class hotels include the Tropico Hotel, Alvalade Hotel, Le President Meridien Hotel, Continental Hotel, Palm Beach Hotel among others. |
