Angola, slowly recovering from a 27-year civil war, is becoming a regional superpower in southern Africa. This rise can be attributed to oil, diamonds, battle-tested armed forces, and a political system dominated by one party--the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (the Popular Movement for the Liberation fo Angola, MPLA). Problems remain to be solved. The country's vast wealth is in the control of the elite, while the vast majority of the people live on less than two dollars per day. Corruption is rife, the health and education system is in shambles, landmines remain a festering problem, and the opposition is intimidated and split into various factions. President Eduardo dos Santos, who has ruled Angola for alomst 38 years, opted not to run for reelection in August 2017. Instead, his hand-picked successor, João Lourenço, was elected president. Interestingly, dos Santos has not surrendered his presidency of the party. This third edition of Historical Dictionary of Angola contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. It has more than 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities and aspects of the country's politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Angola--back cover.

Editor's foreword -- Preface -- Reader's note -- Maps -- Acronyms and abbreviations -- Chronology -- Introduction -- The dictionary -- Appendix A. Selected place-name changes -- Appendix B. Major Angolan leaders since independence -- Appendix C. Provincial capitals and populations as of 2014 -- Appendix D. Angolan holidays.