A country of southwest Africa bordering on the Atlantic Ocean. Previously settled by Bantu-speaking people, the region was colonized by the Portuguese beginning in the 16th century and became an overseas province in 1951. The country achieved independence in 1975, but factional fighting broke out, which elections in 1992 failed to end. Luanda is the capital and the largest city. Population: 12,300,000.
Angolan An·go'lan adj. & n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
