Angola
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Angola
Angola is located on the western coast of southern Africa, having been a Portuguese colony until November 11, 1975, after a period of colonization by Portugal since the 15th century.
A country with an area of 1,246,700 square kilometers, it is divided into 18 provinces and its capital city is Luanda (about 5 million inhabitants).
Other important cities are namely, Huambo, Benguela, Lobito, Lubango, Malange, Namibe and Cabinda. With a length of 4,837 km, Angola's land borders are to the north with Congo Brazaville, northeast with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, and south with Namibia.
Angola has a coastline of 1,650 kilometers, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Its main ports are: Luanda, Lobito and Namibe.
The highest point in the country is Mount Moco, with 2,620 meters, located in Huambo Province.
With a privileged mainland hydrographic network, Angola has as its main rivers the Kwanza, the Congo, the Cunene and the Cubango.
Ethnic groups: There are several ethnic groups in Angola such as: Ovimbundu (Center), Mbundu (Northwest), Bakongo (North), Lunda-Chokwe (East and Southeast), Nganguela, Cuanhama, Nyaneca and Nkhumbi (south).
A country with an area of 1,246,700 square kilometers, it is divided into 18 provinces and its capital city is Luanda (about 5 million inhabitants).
Other important cities are namely, Huambo, Benguela, Lobito, Lubango, Malange, Namibe and Cabinda. With a length of 4,837 km, Angola's land borders are to the north with Congo Brazaville, northeast with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, and south with Namibia.
Angola has a coastline of 1,650 kilometers, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Its main ports are: Luanda, Lobito and Namibe.
The highest point in the country is Mount Moco, with 2,620 meters, located in Huambo Province.
With a privileged mainland hydrographic network, Angola has as its main rivers the Kwanza, the Congo, the Cunene and the Cubango.
Ethnic groups: There are several ethnic groups in Angola such as: Ovimbundu (Center), Mbundu (Northwest), Bakongo (North), Lunda-Chokwe (East and Southeast), Nganguela, Cuanhama, Nyaneca and Nkhumbi (south).
Official language
Portuguese (official) and several national languages (Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Cuanhama, Fiote, etc.).
Currency
Kuanza
Weather
Angola, despite being located in a tropical zone, has a climate that is not characterized for this region, due to the confluence of three factors:
The cold Benguela Current along the southern coast;
The relief inside;
Influence of the Namib Desert in the southwest.
As a result, Angola's climate is characterized by two seasons: the rainy season from October to April and the drought, known as Cacimbo, from May to August, which is drier, as the name implies, and with lower temperatures. On the other hand, while the coast has high rainfall, decreasing from north to south and from 800 mm to 50 mm, with annual average temperatures above 23 ° C, the interior zone can be divided into three areas. :
North, with heavy rainfall and high temperatures;
Central Plateau, with a dry season and average temperatures of around 19 ° C;
South with very high thermal amplitudes due to the proximity of the Kalahari Desert and the influence of tropical air masses.
The cold Benguela Current along the southern coast;
The relief inside;
Influence of the Namib Desert in the southwest.
As a result, Angola's climate is characterized by two seasons: the rainy season from October to April and the drought, known as Cacimbo, from May to August, which is drier, as the name implies, and with lower temperatures. On the other hand, while the coast has high rainfall, decreasing from north to south and from 800 mm to 50 mm, with annual average temperatures above 23 ° C, the interior zone can be divided into three areas. :
North, with heavy rainfall and high temperatures;
Central Plateau, with a dry season and average temperatures of around 19 ° C;
South with very high thermal amplitudes due to the proximity of the Kalahari Desert and the influence of tropical air masses.
Parties
Some of the typical festivals of Angola are:
Sea Parties
These traditional festivals called “Festas do Mar” take place in the city of Namibe. These parties come from an old tradition with cultural, recreational and sporting character. They are usually held in the summer season and it is usual to have exhibitions of products related to agriculture, fisheries, construction, oil and agriculture.
Carnival
The main parade takes place on Luanda's avenue. Several Carnival Corsicans, allegorical Corsairs parade in one of the main avenues of Luanda and Benguela.
Feasts of Our Lady of Muxima
Muxima Shrine is located in Kissama Municipality, Bengo Province and receives thousands of worshipers throughout the year. It is a very popular festival that takes place every year and inevitably attracts countless tourists for its religious characteristics.
Sea Parties
These traditional festivals called “Festas do Mar” take place in the city of Namibe. These parties come from an old tradition with cultural, recreational and sporting character. They are usually held in the summer season and it is usual to have exhibitions of products related to agriculture, fisheries, construction, oil and agriculture.
Carnival
The main parade takes place on Luanda's avenue. Several Carnival Corsicans, allegorical Corsairs parade in one of the main avenues of Luanda and Benguela.
Feasts of Our Lady of Muxima
Muxima Shrine is located in Kissama Municipality, Bengo Province and receives thousands of worshipers throughout the year. It is a very popular festival that takes place every year and inevitably attracts countless tourists for its religious characteristics.
Tourism
Tourism in Angola is an emerging reality and the country has huge potential to explore.
But in contrast to most countries in the region, which generally give the US, EU, and many other citizens a visa upon arrival or others who do not even need a visa, Angola has complicated and costly Soviet-style visa requirements. This antiquated attitude to tourism puts the country at a disadvantage in a competitive market for international tourism.
Any of the Angolan provinces has much to offer, from its stunning natural heritage to its cultural riches.
Angola's tourism industry is based on the country's natural beauty, including its rivers, waterfalls and scenic coastline.
Angola is a giant country of different climates, landscapes, cultures and colors. Angola's tourism industry is relatively new because much of the country was destroyed during the postcolonial civil war that ended in 2002.
But Angola is as everyone knows a beautiful country. With a total area of about 1,246,700 km2, this country encompasses diverse landscapes that pass through the natural beauties of Benguela's warm water beaches, the dense and rich Maiombe forest in Cabinda or the legendary Namib Desert, the only place in the world. where grows the beautiful and peculiar welwitschia mirabilis.
But in contrast to most countries in the region, which generally give the US, EU, and many other citizens a visa upon arrival or others who do not even need a visa, Angola has complicated and costly Soviet-style visa requirements. This antiquated attitude to tourism puts the country at a disadvantage in a competitive market for international tourism.
Any of the Angolan provinces has much to offer, from its stunning natural heritage to its cultural riches.
Angola's tourism industry is based on the country's natural beauty, including its rivers, waterfalls and scenic coastline.
Angola is a giant country of different climates, landscapes, cultures and colors. Angola's tourism industry is relatively new because much of the country was destroyed during the postcolonial civil war that ended in 2002.
But Angola is as everyone knows a beautiful country. With a total area of about 1,246,700 km2, this country encompasses diverse landscapes that pass through the natural beauties of Benguela's warm water beaches, the dense and rich Maiombe forest in Cabinda or the legendary Namib Desert, the only place in the world. where grows the beautiful and peculiar welwitschia mirabilis.
Entry and stay arrangements
Visa regime
- Ordinary Visa - valid for 30 days, extendable twice for an equal period of time.
This visa is intended for people who want to travel to Angola for:
Develop exploratory contacts of commercial or analog domain
Conduct investment project negotiations
Entrepreneurs and Investors; Management boards of companies;
Mounting equipment or providing after sales service
Give conferences or training activities.
Necessary documents:
A form and form, duly completed with typed or typewritten, and in black ink, without errors or erasures, and signed by the beneficiary;
2 Equal, current, color passport photographs on a white background without sunglasses (unless proven by medical advice);
Passport valid for more than 9 months and 2 consecutive free sheets;
Photocopy of main passport pages;
Return transportation ticket reservation;
Disclaimer / invitation (which must include the subscriber's email and telephone number) or proof of subsistence. Proof of means of subsistence should be provided by the applicant's submission, bank statement or company statement indicating his due date.
Accommodation conditions provided by the inviting person or hotel reservation;
For business trips / meetings / conferences, an invitation will be requested stating the reason for the trip, arrival and departure dates, as well as a precise indication of the host entity and the name of the inviting person;
International Certificate of Vaccines.
- Ordinary Visa under the Portugal / Angola protocol - valid for multiple entries within a period of 36 months, allowing its holder to stay continuously or interpolated for a maximum period of 90 days per semester.
This visa is intended for people who want to travel to Angola for:
Develop exploratory contacts of commercial or similar domain;
Conduct investment project negotiations;
Entrepreneurs and Investors; Management boards of companies;
Assemble equipment or provide after sales technical assistance;
Give conferences or training activities.
Necessary documents:
Form and form, duly completed with printed or typewritten letters, and in black ink, without errors or erasures, and signed by the beneficiary;
2 Equal, passport-colored, color photos, on white background and without sunglasses (except for
proven medical recommendation);
Passport valid for more than 9 months and 2 consecutive free sheets;
Photocopy of main passport pages;
Return transportation ticket reservation;
Disclaimer / invitation (which must include the subscriber's email and telephone number) or proof of subsistence. Proof of means of subsistence should be provided by the applicant's submission, bank statement or company statement indicating his due date.
Accommodation conditions provided by the inviting person or hotel reservation;
For business trips / meetings / conferences, an invitation will be requested stating the reason for the trip, arrival and departure dates, as well as a precise indication of the host entity and the name of the inviting person;
International Certificate of Vaccines.
Everything like the ordinary visa, only changes the ease of multiple entries and the validity of the visa.
- Ordinary Visa - valid for 30 days, extendable twice for an equal period of time.
This visa is intended for people who want to travel to Angola for:
Develop exploratory contacts of commercial or analog domain
Conduct investment project negotiations
Entrepreneurs and Investors; Management boards of companies;
Mounting equipment or providing after sales service
Give conferences or training activities.
Necessary documents:
A form and form, duly completed with typed or typewritten, and in black ink, without errors or erasures, and signed by the beneficiary;
2 Equal, current, color passport photographs on a white background without sunglasses (unless proven by medical advice);
Passport valid for more than 9 months and 2 consecutive free sheets;
Photocopy of main passport pages;
Return transportation ticket reservation;
Disclaimer / invitation (which must include the subscriber's email and telephone number) or proof of subsistence. Proof of means of subsistence should be provided by the applicant's submission, bank statement or company statement indicating his due date.
Accommodation conditions provided by the inviting person or hotel reservation;
For business trips / meetings / conferences, an invitation will be requested stating the reason for the trip, arrival and departure dates, as well as a precise indication of the host entity and the name of the inviting person;
International Certificate of Vaccines.
- Ordinary Visa under the Portugal / Angola protocol - valid for multiple entries within a period of 36 months, allowing its holder to stay continuously or interpolated for a maximum period of 90 days per semester.
This visa is intended for people who want to travel to Angola for:
Develop exploratory contacts of commercial or similar domain;
Conduct investment project negotiations;
Entrepreneurs and Investors; Management boards of companies;
Assemble equipment or provide after sales technical assistance;
Give conferences or training activities.
Necessary documents:
Form and form, duly completed with printed or typewritten letters, and in black ink, without errors or erasures, and signed by the beneficiary;
2 Equal, passport-colored, color photos, on white background and without sunglasses (except for
proven medical recommendation);
Passport valid for more than 9 months and 2 consecutive free sheets;
Photocopy of main passport pages;
Return transportation ticket reservation;
Disclaimer / invitation (which must include the subscriber's email and telephone number) or proof of subsistence. Proof of means of subsistence should be provided by the applicant's submission, bank statement or company statement indicating his due date.
Accommodation conditions provided by the inviting person or hotel reservation;
For business trips / meetings / conferences, an invitation will be requested stating the reason for the trip, arrival and departure dates, as well as a precise indication of the host entity and the name of the inviting person;
International Certificate of Vaccines.
Everything like the ordinary visa, only changes the ease of multiple entries and the validity of the visa.
Security conditions
Caution should be exercised when paying attention, particularly when traveling on land, which may involve certain dangers.
Outside urban areas, unexploded mines and UXOs remain an issue to be reckoned with in inland regions outside the main road network. It is recommended that you do not touch anything that resembles a mine or devices that have not been detonated and that travel is made on roadways designated as safe.
Crime is a serious problem in Luanda. Although most violent crimes are committed by Angolan agents and victims, acts of violence against foreigners are reported.
Street crimes, including firearm robberies, have grown appreciably in Luanda, notably in the outlets of restaurants and nightclubs on Cape Island. Squares, markets, and crowded places should be avoided, as well as walking tours, especially after dark, as well as wearing valuable jewelry or watches. Although crime is lower in other major Angolan cities, the same precautions must be maintained.
Outside urban areas, unexploded mines and UXOs remain an issue to be reckoned with in inland regions outside the main road network. It is recommended that you do not touch anything that resembles a mine or devices that have not been detonated and that travel is made on roadways designated as safe.
Crime is a serious problem in Luanda. Although most violent crimes are committed by Angolan agents and victims, acts of violence against foreigners are reported.
Street crimes, including firearm robberies, have grown appreciably in Luanda, notably in the outlets of restaurants and nightclubs on Cape Island. Squares, markets, and crowded places should be avoided, as well as walking tours, especially after dark, as well as wearing valuable jewelry or watches. Although crime is lower in other major Angolan cities, the same precautions must be maintained.
Transports
Air Transport
International airports: Luanda and Lubango.
TAP has daily direct flights between Lisbon and Luanda.
TAAG is the only Angolan airline flying to international destinations including Lisbon and Porto.
Flights to and from Angola are often overcrowded. It is therefore advisable to contact the airline that the traveler uses for prior flight reconfirmation and timely check-in.
Road transport
Taxis are available at airports and major cities. Caution is advised when using taxis by checking that the taximeter is on and asking for an initial estimate of the price of the ride. Do not hesitate to haggle.
Avoid minibuses known as "candongueiros", often in poor condition and whose drivers usually drive recklessly and recklessly. Travelers are therefore advised to ensure their arrival upon arrival at the airport and their transportation to their destination with security guarantees.
Road infrastructures linking Luanda with the interior of the country have been improving. Thus, it is possible to travel entirely by asphalt between Luanda and Malange, Luanda and Benguela, Cuíto and Huambo (and between these and Benguela / Lobito), and Lubango and Namibe. Between Luanda and Zaire, Malange and Lundas and Moxico, Benguela and Lubango, and Lubango and Huambo the roads are almost asphalted.
The traffic in Luanda is compact and chaotic.
Although it is relatively safe to travel during the day, it is advisable to keep car doors, windows completely closed, keep transported volumes out of sight, and avoid using your mobile phone and personal computers on the street.
In the interior of Cabinda Province, it is not advisable to make visits that are not only strictly necessary, given the existence of some instability and delinquency in that province.
Road safety
Driving patterns and conditions on certain roadways are still weak, so it is advisable to travel with large traction vehicles outside large cities. Road accident levels are high, so caution is advised when traveling in Angola. Plan your trips in such a way that you are traveling in a hurry, learning in advance about the location and quality of the gas stations on your way. It is advisable, given the large length of road sections without any emergency support, to make inter-provincial trips with a second car.
The roads have poor viability conditions, with signaling deficiencies, even in some recently refurbished.
There are few intersections in cities that have traffic lights or a police officer directing traffic. On the other hand, drivers themselves often disregard traffic rules and signals. In addition, many drivers do not have a driving license. Accidents are therefore very frequent and the resulting processes can be lengthy and arbitrary. In addition, as a risk factor in driving, road riders, motorcyclists and pedestrians who endanger their own lives and that of drivers are on the road and through traffic. Finally, it should be noted that deadly roadkill entails the immediate arrest of the driver and that if he finds animosity among the population, he should immediately go to the nearest police station.
It is not advisable to travel on the roads after dark, given the large number of vehicles with malfunctions in the light systems, the numerous pedestrians traveling along non-reflective roads, the weakness of the emergency medical system, the lack of mobile phone network at all. various locations and the intoxication of many drivers.
For all the above reasons, it is recommended to use vehicles driven by experienced people, preferably drivers hired for this purpose.
Rail transport
In recent years important sections of the Malange (Luanda-Malange), Benguela (Lobito-Luau) and Mocamedes (Namibe-Menongue) lines have been recovered. Trains are, however, slow and scarce, so they are not, for the time being, an alternative to long-distance passenger transport.
International airports: Luanda and Lubango.
TAP has daily direct flights between Lisbon and Luanda.
TAAG is the only Angolan airline flying to international destinations including Lisbon and Porto.
Flights to and from Angola are often overcrowded. It is therefore advisable to contact the airline that the traveler uses for prior flight reconfirmation and timely check-in.
Road transport
Taxis are available at airports and major cities. Caution is advised when using taxis by checking that the taximeter is on and asking for an initial estimate of the price of the ride. Do not hesitate to haggle.
Avoid minibuses known as "candongueiros", often in poor condition and whose drivers usually drive recklessly and recklessly. Travelers are therefore advised to ensure their arrival upon arrival at the airport and their transportation to their destination with security guarantees.
Road infrastructures linking Luanda with the interior of the country have been improving. Thus, it is possible to travel entirely by asphalt between Luanda and Malange, Luanda and Benguela, Cuíto and Huambo (and between these and Benguela / Lobito), and Lubango and Namibe. Between Luanda and Zaire, Malange and Lundas and Moxico, Benguela and Lubango, and Lubango and Huambo the roads are almost asphalted.
The traffic in Luanda is compact and chaotic.
Although it is relatively safe to travel during the day, it is advisable to keep car doors, windows completely closed, keep transported volumes out of sight, and avoid using your mobile phone and personal computers on the street.
In the interior of Cabinda Province, it is not advisable to make visits that are not only strictly necessary, given the existence of some instability and delinquency in that province.
Road safety
Driving patterns and conditions on certain roadways are still weak, so it is advisable to travel with large traction vehicles outside large cities. Road accident levels are high, so caution is advised when traveling in Angola. Plan your trips in such a way that you are traveling in a hurry, learning in advance about the location and quality of the gas stations on your way. It is advisable, given the large length of road sections without any emergency support, to make inter-provincial trips with a second car.
The roads have poor viability conditions, with signaling deficiencies, even in some recently refurbished.
There are few intersections in cities that have traffic lights or a police officer directing traffic. On the other hand, drivers themselves often disregard traffic rules and signals. In addition, many drivers do not have a driving license. Accidents are therefore very frequent and the resulting processes can be lengthy and arbitrary. In addition, as a risk factor in driving, road riders, motorcyclists and pedestrians who endanger their own lives and that of drivers are on the road and through traffic. Finally, it should be noted that deadly roadkill entails the immediate arrest of the driver and that if he finds animosity among the population, he should immediately go to the nearest police station.
It is not advisable to travel on the roads after dark, given the large number of vehicles with malfunctions in the light systems, the numerous pedestrians traveling along non-reflective roads, the weakness of the emergency medical system, the lack of mobile phone network at all. various locations and the intoxication of many drivers.
For all the above reasons, it is recommended to use vehicles driven by experienced people, preferably drivers hired for this purpose.
Rail transport
In recent years important sections of the Malange (Luanda-Malange), Benguela (Lobito-Luau) and Mocamedes (Namibe-Menongue) lines have been recovered. Trains are, however, slow and scarce, so they are not, for the time being, an alternative to long-distance passenger transport.
Health care
Medical care for delicate emergencies is limited to the cities of Luanda and Benguela, where there are some private clinics, which have a 24-hour service and specialist doctors. Prices are high and must be paid in advance. There has been a recent record of misdiagnosis to keep inpatients and charge large daily rates, so it is advisable to seek a second opinion whenever possible.
Angola is part of an endemic area of malaria, hepatitis A and B and polio, as well as cholera outbreaks, so vaccination or updating is extremely convenient.
Visitors are also advised to pay particular attention to dietary and hygienic conditions, in particular to food acquired in informal markets. For water you should only drink or use bottled or boiled and treated water and avoid using ice in beverages. And if you suffer from diarrhea, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately.
Prior to the trip, you should consult the traveler, as well as make sure you have all the necessary vaccines to stay in Angola. It is mandatory to have the certificate of international vaccination against yellow fever in order to enter Angolan territory. For this purpose we advise you to consult the website: www.ihmt.unl.pt.
Before travel, it is advisable to carry out health insurance that includes medical repatriation by hospital plane.
Travel Advice Consultation:
- Time: working days from 9H30 to 19H00. Closed between 2 pm and 3 pm. Marking:
- Tel. (00351) 213652600 (general) or 213652630 (direct);
- by e-mail: Medicina.viagens@ihmt.unl.pt;
- On site: Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon; When dialing, be sure to enter your name, direct telephone contact, destination and travel date, and the desired date for your appointment;
- Vaccination service hours: working days from 11 am to 2 pm and from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, without prior appointment.
For other traveler information, you can also consult the WHO website: www.who.int/en.
Angola is part of an endemic area of malaria, hepatitis A and B and polio, as well as cholera outbreaks, so vaccination or updating is extremely convenient.
Visitors are also advised to pay particular attention to dietary and hygienic conditions, in particular to food acquired in informal markets. For water you should only drink or use bottled or boiled and treated water and avoid using ice in beverages. And if you suffer from diarrhea, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately.
Prior to the trip, you should consult the traveler, as well as make sure you have all the necessary vaccines to stay in Angola. It is mandatory to have the certificate of international vaccination against yellow fever in order to enter Angolan territory. For this purpose we advise you to consult the website: www.ihmt.unl.pt.
Before travel, it is advisable to carry out health insurance that includes medical repatriation by hospital plane.
Travel Advice Consultation:
- Time: working days from 9H30 to 19H00. Closed between 2 pm and 3 pm. Marking:
- Tel. (00351) 213652600 (general) or 213652630 (direct);
- by e-mail: Medicina.viagens@ihmt.unl.pt;
- On site: Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon; When dialing, be sure to enter your name, direct telephone contact, destination and travel date, and the desired date for your appointment;
- Vaccination service hours: working days from 11 am to 2 pm and from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, without prior appointment.
For other traveler information, you can also consult the WHO website: www.who.int/en.
Telecommunications
There are telephone communications over the fixed network in the capital and in most provincial capitals. They also operate two mobile telephone networks, one public (Movicel) and one private (Unitel), covering both areas of the main provincial capitals. The roaming system works through the Unitel network using the European system.
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