Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Angola

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Angola.

Speed

Overview

the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Climate: The climate is semiarid in the south and along the coast to Luanda. The north has a cool dry season (May to October) and a hot rainy season (November to April). Natural hazards are locally heavy rainfall, which causes periodic flooding. In Luanda during the January to April hot season, the temperature is often in the upper 90s; the sun is quite intense; and the humidity is very high. During the winter months, June through September, the days are pleasant, with high temperatures around 80ºF, with mild evenings. Skies are often hazy, a condition called "cacimbo." Generally, there are light rains during November and December, with heavy rains falling in March and April.
Weather Patterns: http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/AOXX0008?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point: 2620 — Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Area (Comparative): slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Border Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 NM contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM

Natural Resources: Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, and uranium. Angola is one of sub-Saharan Africa's most resource-rich nations, with petroleum and natural gas forming the backbone of its economy and accounting for the vast majority of government revenue and export earnings. The country is one of Africa's leading oil producers, with significant offshore reserves in the Congo Basin. Diamond mining also plays a major role, with Angola ranking among the world's top diamond producers by value. Additional mineral wealth includes iron ore, copper, gold, phosphates, bauxite, and feldspar, many of which remain underexplored or underdeveloped due to historical infrastructure challenges. Hydropower potential is also considerable, supported by several major river systems including the Kwanza River.
Natural Hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Current Environmental Issues: overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
International Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements