Angola has drawn the attention of the continent by hosting the African Cup of Nations (ACN) for Football in January 2010. This biannual event has driven hundreds of millions to learn more about the country, its geography, history, resources and economy. Angola is located in south-central Africa, bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and Zambia to the east, while its western coast stretches for more than 1,600km along the Atlantic Ocean. The exclave province of Cabinda has a border with the Republic of the Congo and is unique in being separated from the rest of the country by a strip along the lower river of the Congo. The geographical areas now designated as Angola were in the 15th century subject to incursions by the Portuguese. Angola was discovered in 1483 and remained an overseas Portuguese territory for many centuries. It was considered the link for European trade with India and Southeast Asia. After independence was declared on 11th November 1975, Angola was the scene of an intense civil war, witnessing devastating fighting, which lasted several decades, claimed millions of lives and created countless refugees. In 2002, the civil war ended, political stability prevailed and the country started rebuilding and reconstruction. Angola, whose area is about 1.3 million sqkm, is rich in goldmines and diamonds. It is the second largest petroleum producer in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than half of its oil coming from the northern province of Cabinda. Its production of oil exceeds two million barrels a day and in December 2006 Angola became an OPEC member. Its economy has undergone a period of transformation in recent years, moving from the disarray caused by a quarter of a century of civil war to becoming the fastest-growing economy in Africa and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The country's economy has grown remarkably since 2002. The oil sector, with its fast-rising earnings, has been the main driving force behind improvements in overall economic activity. Today, Angola is focusing on improving its infrastructure with a view to polarising foreign investment in a wide range of fields: construction, transport, communications, healthcare, education and industry. Taxation-free periods of up to ten years are being offered by the government to investors as an incentive to finance projects in the country. The capital city Louanda is considered the most developed capital in central Africa, while its new, modern airport has been constructed as part of a global plan for encouraging visitors and tourists. The hosting of the African Cup of Nations is a new opportunity for Angola to enjoy additional economic profits. In spite of the fact that Angola's football has no record in the African competitions, it qualified for the World Cup in Germany 2006, while its new-found political stability was behind its being selected to host for this year's ACN. The benefits are numerous, starting from improving the infrastructure of the country by establishing new roads, hotels, telecommunications and modern stadiums, and, last but not least, by transmitting to the world the message that Angola is today a rising African nation.
